SteamOS on Lenovo Legion Go: Expanding Beyond the Steam Deck

SteamOS Gains Traction Beyond the Steam Deck

SteamOS is progressively establishing itself as a viable alternative to Windows, particularly within the realm of portable gaming. Following the successful launch of the Steam Deck utilizing its proprietary operating system, Valve is now forging partnerships with external manufacturers.

This collaboration will facilitate the release of additional gaming handhelds equipped with native SteamOS support.

Lenovo Legion Go S: A New Contender

At CES 2025, Lenovo introduced the Legion Go S on Tuesday. This new handheld differs significantly from its predecessor, the Legion Go, adopting a more conventional design.

It features a substantial eight-inch display flanked by integrated controllers. The detachable controllers and rear-mounted kickstand, characteristics of the original Legion Go, have been removed.

Configuration Options and Processor Choices

A key aspect of the Legion Go S is its customizable configuration. Consumers can select between two AMD chipsets.

These include the recently unveiled, budget-friendly Ryzen Z2 Go processor, and the higher-performance Ryzen Z1 Extreme, already utilized in the Legion Go. Asus also incorporates the Z1 Extreme into the ROG Ally X.

Operating System Flexibility: SteamOS or Windows 11

Customers also have the option to choose their preferred operating system. The Legion Go S will be available pre-installed with either SteamOS or Windows 11.

While SteamOS provides a superior experience tailored for handheld gaming, boasting an optimized interface, improved out-of-box functionality, and enhanced sleep/wake support, some users may prefer Windows for access to Xbox Game Pass or games requiring Windows-exclusive anti-cheat systems.

Pricing and Availability

The Z2 Go version will be priced at $599 with Windows 11, or $499 with SteamOS. The Z1 Extreme model will retail for $729.

Lenovo plans to release the Z1 Extreme version in January, with the Z2 Go configurations becoming available in May 2025. The base model will include 16GB of RAM, while the $729 variant will feature 32GB of RAM.

Technical Specifications

The eight-inch display offers a 16:10 aspect ratio and supports resolutions up to 1920×1200 at a variable refresh rate of 120Hz.

The Legion Go S is equipped with a 55Wh battery, two USB 4 ports, and a microSD card slot. It weighs 730g (1.61 pounds) and includes a small touchpad for desktop navigation.

Future Updates and the Legion Go 2

Lenovo intends to continue updating the original Legion Go. A prototype of the Legion Go 2 was also showcased at CES 2025.

The strategy is to maintain the Legion Go S and Legion Go as distinct product lines, receiving periodic updates.

Valve's Ecosystem-Focused Approach

Although the Legion Go S can be viewed as a competitor to the Steam Deck, it’s important to note Valve’s collaborative role in optimizing SteamOS for this new device.

Valve receives revenue from all Steam purchases and prioritizes the expansion of the Steam ecosystem over becoming a traditional console manufacturer.