Handheld gaming PCs like the Lenovo Legion Go S have become increasingly popular in recent years, largely thanks to the success of the Steam Deck. Since Valve's Linux-based handheld hit the market, other major PC manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon, and the Lenovo Legion Go S is designed to closely rival the Steam Deck, differing significantly from the original Legion Go.
The Legion Go S features a unibody design, moving away from the Switch-like detachable controllers and the extra dials and buttons that characterized its predecessor. A key highlight is that a version of the Legion Go S, set to be released later this year, will run on SteamOS, the Linux distribution that powers the Steam Deck. This will be the first non-Valve handheld to ship with this OS, though the model I reviewed runs Windows 11. Priced at $729, the Legion Go S faces stiff competition among other Windows 11 handhelds.
Lenovo Legion Go S – Photos
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Lenovo Legion Go S – Design
The Lenovo Legion Go S adopts a design more akin to the Asus ROG Ally than the original Legion Go. It's a single, cohesive unit without the complexity of detachable controllers. This streamlined design makes the Legion Go S user-friendly and comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions, thanks to its rounded edges. Despite this, the device is somewhat heavy at 1.61 pounds, just slightly lighter than the original Legion Go (1.88 pounds) and heavier than the Asus ROG Ally X (1.49 pounds).
The Legion Go S boasts a large 8-inch, 1200p IPS display with a brightness of 500 nits. This screen delivers stunning visuals, enhancing games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Horizon Forbidden West. It's one of the best displays available on a handheld gaming PC, only surpassed by the Steam Deck OLED.
Aesthetically, the Legion Go S draws inspiration from other handhelds but remains visually appealing. Available in Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne (reserved for the upcoming SteamOS version), it features RGB lighting rings around the joysticks that can be easily customized via an on-screen menu.
The button layout on the Legion Go S is more intuitive than its predecessor, with 'Start' and 'Select' buttons placed on either side of the display. However, the proprietary Lenovo menu buttons above them can be confusing at first, but users will adapt over time. These buttons provide quick access to settings and shortcuts, enhancing usability.
The smaller touchpad compared to the original Legion Go makes navigating Windows more challenging, though this will be less of an issue with the upcoming SteamOS version. The back of the device features programmable 'paddle' buttons and trigger levers with two settings for travel distance. The top houses two USB 4 ports, while a MicroSD card slot is located on the bottom.
Purchasing Guide
The reviewed Lenovo Legion Go S is available starting February 14 for $729.99, featuring a Z2 Go APU, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. A more affordable option with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD will be released in May for $599.99.
Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance
The Legion Go S is the first handheld to use the AMD Z2 Go APU, which, while innovative, uses older Zen 3 and RDNA 2 technologies. This results in performance that lags behind the original Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally X. Despite a larger 55Whr battery, the Legion Go S offers slightly less battery life than its predecessor.
In benchmark tests like 3DMark, the Legion Go S scores lower than its competitors. In gaming, it performs slightly better than the original Legion Go in some titles like Hitman: World of Assassination, but struggles with more demanding games like Horizon Forbidden West. Lowering settings to Medium or 800p resolution can provide a smoother gaming experience.
Wait, It’s More Expensive?
Despite being marketed as a more streamlined version, the Legion Go S is priced at $729, higher than the original Legion Go at $699. This pricing seems counterintuitive given its weaker APU and lower resolution display. However, the reviewed model includes 32GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD, which is more than necessary for its intended use.
Adjusting the BIOS settings to allocate more memory to the frame buffer can improve performance, but this process is cumbersome for most users. The upcoming $599 model with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD will offer a better value, making the Legion Go S a more competitive option in the handheld gaming market.
