The Lenovo Legion Go is like a gaming handheld SUV. It’s big and sturdy, comes with lots of extras like a removable controller, and supports vertical mouse functionality to adapt to all kinds of situations. All the versatility is great, but it does make the device a little bulky. But for CES 2025, Lenovo is introducing a slightly more portable version called the Legion Go S, which supports not one but two different OSes.
Before we get into the details, it’s important to mention that I only had a chance to check out the Windows 11 model. However, for those who wanted a better-performing Steam deck, Lenovo also makes a version with SteamOS preloaded.
That is, the specifications of both versions are almost the same. They’ll be powered by either the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip or the Z1 Extreme APU Lenovo used in the previous model, with up to 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 55.5Wh battery. It also features a microSD card slot for expandable storage, two USB 4 ports, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The main difference is color (and release date, but more on that later), with the Windows 11 Legion Go S coming in white and the SteamOS model coming in black.
Compared to the original Legion Go, the S has a smaller but larger 8-inch 120Hz OLED display (down from 8.8-inch) with 1,920 x 1,200 resolution and VRR, rather than the original’s 2,560 x 1,600 144Hz panel. Equipped with: There’s also no removable controller or kickstand. The benefit of this is that the whole system feels more sturdy, which should make it easier to throw into your bag before your next trip. It’s also noticeably lighter at 1.6 pounds compared to its older sibling’s 1.9 pounds.
Notably, it still has an analog stick with a Hall-effect sensor, which rivals like ASUS’ more expensive ROG Ally X don’t have. Lenovo has also moved to a new pivot-style D-pad, but I’m not sure what that counts as, but I tend to prefer the classic cross-style ones, so it’s a real upgrade. Another nice bonus for tinkerers is that the Go S comes with a short 2242 SSD module inside, even though it can accommodate a desktop-sized 2280 stick.
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Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows 11 version)
Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows 11 version)
First, I had a chance to check out the Windows 11 version. Thanks to the lower resolution of 1,920 x 1,200, the performance felt much snappier and felt better suited to components. Lenovo has also made some improvements to the Legion Space app, making it much more functional as a general game launcher and a place to adjust performance and settings. We also appreciate the small touches, like the fact that the Legion Go S has a touchpad on the front, even though it’s much smaller. This is very useful when you need to exit Legion Space and navigate within Windows. Despite its size, the Go S’s pad is responsive and feels more like a trackball than a small touchpad. Around the back there is a small toggle to adjust how far you can pull the shoulder buttons.
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Practical photos of Legion Go S powered by SteamOS
Practical photos of Legion Go S powered by SteamOS
As for the Legion Go S with SteamOS, we noted that it feels very similar to the Steam Deck, even though it’s not made by Valve. The UI is pretty much the same, the only difference being some subtle tweaks Lenovo has added to support things like handheld RGB lighting and 30-watt TDP. In person, the SteamOS model’s casing looks more like a dark purple than pure black, which is a nice subtle touch. However, my biggest takeaway is that I felt Valve’s OS was slightly more responsive than Steam Deck. We attribute this to Legion’s new APU.
A small problem is that a high-end version of the Legion Go S with Windows 11 is expected to launch first later this month, with an AMD Z2 Go processor, 32 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage, priced at 730. It starts with dollars. Unfortunately, that means those who want a more affordable model with 16GB of RAM or running SteamOS will have to wait a little longer, as these models won’t be available until May. On the bright side, the Legion Go S with SteamOS has a lower starting price of $499 compared to the comparable Windows model’s starting price of $599.
