Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS Review: Steam Deck Alternative?
Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS Hands-On Review
As a handheld gaming enthusiast who’s logged over 200 hours on the Steam Deck OLED, I approached the Legion Go S Steam Edition with cautious optimism. This isn’t just another Windows handheld—it’s the first third-party device shipping with Valve’s SteamOS. After two weeks of rigorous testing, including travel scenarios and benchmark comparisons, I’ll break down whether it truly challenges Valve’s dominance or falls into the "almost great" category. If you’re weighing a $600 handheld purchase amidst rumors of new Windows updates and Switch 2 releases, this analysis cuts through the hype.
Hardware Design and Initial Impressions
The Legion Go S immediately stands out with its "dark purple" chassis—a departure from Lenovo’s usual white colorway. Side-by-side with the Steam Deck OLED, the differences are stark. Though both share similar footprints, the Go S packs an 8-inch 120Hz display (non-OLED) with VRR support versus the Deck’s 7.4-inch OLED screen. The trade-off? Significant bulk. At 100g heavier and noticeably thicker, extended play sessions highlight its heft. Controls diverge too: instead of Steam Deck’s dual touchpads, you get a smaller touchpad and offset sticks. While ergonomic, the thickness feels like a step backward for portability. Hardware-wise, both models (Z2 Go and Z1 Extreme) share identical builds across SteamOS and Windows versions—only the OS and color differ.
SteamOS Performance and Gaming Experience
SteamOS transforms the Legion Go S from a Windows curiosity into a console-like contender. After early firmware hiccups (like broken TDP controls), Valve’s beta update delivered a polished experience. Performance-wise, benchmarks reveal surprises. Testing Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p medium settings, the Z2 Go model hit 61 FPS on SteamOS versus 52 FPS on Windows—a 17% uplift thanks to Proton optimization. Even the base Z2 Go outperformed my Steam Deck OLED’s 48 FPS. But raw numbers don’t tell the whole story. During real-world testing:
- Battery life averaged 2.1 hours in Baldur’s Gate 3 (balanced profile, 50% brightness), slightly worse than the Steam Deck’s 2.5 hours despite a larger 55Wh battery.
- Thermals impressed—the cooling system handled 35W TDP without uncomfortable heat, though fans hit 45dB under load.
- Game compatibility quirks emerged. The Last of Us Part II defaulted to Steam Deck presets, locking resolution until manual tweaks.
SteamOS’s strengths shine in suspend/resume reliability and streamlined updates, but gaps remain. The touchpad lacks mapping, RGB controls are absent, and game-specific optimizations for non-Deck hardware are needed.
Pricing Concerns and the Future of SteamOS Handhelds
At $600 (Z2 Go/16GB/512GB) or $830 (Z1 Extreme/32GB/1TB), the Legion Go S faces stiff value scrutiny. The base model costs $50 more than a 512GB Steam Deck OLED while offering a faster chip but inferior battery and screen tech. The Extreme variant feels unjustifiable when the Windows-based Legion Go (same Z1 Extreme specs) sells for $600. This pricing exposes a critical question: how committed is Valve to third-party SteamOS support? With just ~350 employees across all projects (Steam, Counter-Strike, hardware), resources are stretched thin. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s rumored handheld-optimized Windows update could erode SteamOS’s "ease-of-use" advantage. If Windows improves sleep/resume and driver management, SteamOS’s niche shrinks—especially when users can install it themselves for free.
Actionable Insights and Final Recommendations
Before buying, consider this checklist:
- Test your game library on ProtonDB for SteamOS compatibility—anti-cheat titles like Destiny 2 still struggle.
- Prioritize battery or power? If battery life matters, the Steam Deck OLED wins. For raw performance, the Z2 Go delivers.
- Wait for post-launch firmware if touchpad/RGB support is essential.
For advanced users, I recommend ProtonDB for compatibility tracking (real-time user reports) and the r/WindowsOnDeck subreddit for dual-boot insights. The Legion Go S Steam Edition is a promising but unrefined alternative. It proves SteamOS can elevate third-party hardware, but doesn’t dethrone the Steam Deck OLED as the holistic package. As Microsoft and Nintendo enter the arena, SteamOS’s third-party future hinges on Valve’s support bandwidth—a challenge for their lean team.
Will you gamble on early third-party SteamOS devices, or wait for Microsoft’s handheld Windows refresh? Share your thoughts below!
