With seemingly zero fanfare, Lenovo and Best Buy have launched pre-orders for the Legion Go S Powered by SteamOS, with two distinct models available. But should you pull the trigger and scoop up this handheld before it officially releases in May?
First, a brief primer on what makes this particular handheld special in a sea of Windows-powered handhelds. First and most importantly, it’s not powered by Windows 11. This variant of Legion Go S is running SteamOS, the same operating system that powers the Steam Deck. It’s the first 3rd party handheld to do so, and it was conceived with direct involvement from Valve. (Plus, that Nebula colorway is pretty awesome.)
The newest handheld gaming device in the Legion Go family also addresses two of my biggest complaints about its Windows-powered sibling: price, and the presence of Windows 11, which contributes to a clunky and frustrating user experience.
The entire library of games compatible with Steam Deck should theoretically run even better here, and that’s down to the more powerful AMD Ryzen processors on board.
The Legion Go S powered by SteamOS ships with either the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go or the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme. The latter processor is found in the original Legion Go and the ROG Ally. Both options offer more performance than the aging (yet still capable) Aerith APU found in the Steam Deck.
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And while it feels like Lenovo sent the first Legion Go S out to die with unrealistic pricing, the SteamOS-powered versions have price tags and base specs that make more sense. At $549, the baseline model comes with 500GB of storage, 16GB of memory and the Ryzen Z2 Go. That’s nearly $200 cheaper than the only available Windows model which forces 1TB of storage and 32GB of memory on you. This is the one that holds the most appeal.
For $20 more than the Windows system that’s currently out there, you can step up to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme and the same compliment of storage and memory – 1TB and 32GB, respectively. That one is available to pre-order for $749.
This Legion Go S Makes More Sense
Looking at this handheld through the lens of SteamOS and more sensible pricing, it becomes a much stronger value proposition. The Legion Go S is undeniably a great piece of hardware, with a ridiculously attractive 8″ 120Hz display, improved speakers, and ergonomics that, yes, actually surpass the comfort of Steam Deck.
I never encourage pre-ordering before reviews about a product go live, but if you’ve been waiting for the fantastic SteamOS to make its way beyond Steam Deck – or you’re in the market for your first handheld – this is a promising option. With a few exceptions (like the comically minuscule touchpad), it’s essentially the Steam Deck experience in a slightly more powerful package.
Both Valve-powered Legion Go S models are currently available to pre-order at Best Buy. The retailer lists May 25, 2025 as the release date.
