By cryptoadmin 
The Lenovo Legion Go is type of just like the SUV of gaming handhelds. It’s large, beefy, comes with quite a lot of additional tools like removable controllers and it helps vertical mouse performance that lets it adapt to all types of conditions. All of that versatility is nice, nevertheless it makes the system sort of cumbersome. However for CES 2025, Lenovo is asserting a barely extra moveable model known as the Legion Go S with assist for not one however two totally different OSes: Home windows 11 and SteamOS.
That stated, the specs on each variants are practically equivalent. They function both an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip or the Z1 Excessive APU Lenovo used on the earlier mannequin, with as much as 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD and a 55.5Wh battery. You additionally get a microSD card slot for expandable storage, two USB 4 ports and a 3.5mm audio jack. The principle distinction is their colour (and launch date, however extra on that later) because the Home windows 11 Legion Go S is available in white whereas the SteamOS mannequin will likely be obtainable in black.
In comparison with the unique Legion Go, the S encompasses a smaller however nonetheless massive 8-inch 120 Hz OLED show (down from 8.8 inches) with a 1,920 x 1,200 decision and VRR as an alternative of two,560 x 1,600 144Hz panel like on the unique. It additionally doesn’t have removable controllers or a kickstand. The good thing about that is that the entire system feels a lot sturdier, which ought to make you’re feeling higher about tossing it in a bag earlier than your subsequent journey. It’s additionally noticeably lighter at 1.6 kilos versus 1.9 for its older sibling.
Notably, you continue to get analog sticks with Corridor Impact sensors, which you don’t get on rivals like ASUS’ expensive ROG Ally X. Lenovo additionally moved to a brand new pivot-style D-pad, although I’m unsure that counts as a real improve as I are inclined to favor the basic cross-style ones. One other good bonus for tinkerers is that on the within, the Go S comes with a shorter 2242 SSD module though it may well accommodate desktop-size 2280 sticks.
Initially, I acquired an opportunity to take a look at the Home windows 11 model, whose efficiency felt fairly snappy because of the drop in decision to 1,920 x 1,200, which seems like a extra appropriate match for its elements. Lenovo has additionally made some enhancements to its Legion House app, so it capabilities significantly better as a normal sport launch and a spot to tweak efficiency and settings. I additionally respect little touches like how though it's a lot smaller, the Legion Go S nonetheless has a touchpad in entrance, which is such an enormous assist when it’s essential exit Legion House and navigate round in Home windows. I’d even say that regardless of its dimension, the pad on the Go S is extra responsive, because it feels extra like a trackball than a tiny touchpad. And round again, there’s a small toggle for adjusting how far you’ll be able to pull the shoulder buttons.
As for the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS, I discovered it outstanding how comparable it felt to the Steam Deck regardless of not being made by Valve. The UI is nearly equivalent, the one variations are some refined tweaks Lenovo added to assist issues like the hand-held’s RGB lighting and better 30-watt TDP. In particular person, the SteamOS fashions’ casing seems to be extra like a darkish purple than pure black, which is a pleasant refined contact. Nonetheless my greatest takeaways is that Valve’s OS felt barely extra responsive that it does on the Steam Deck, which I’m attributing to the Legion’s newer APU.
The small hiccup is {that a} higher-end model of Legion Go S operating Home windows 11 is anticipated to go on sale first someday later this month beginning at $730 with an AMD Z2 Go processor, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Sadly, which means anybody who desires one of many extra reasonably priced fashions with 16GB of RAM or operating SteamOS must wait a bit longer, as these variants received’t be obtainable till Might. On the intense aspect, the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS could have a decrease beginning worth of $499 in comparison with an equal Home windows mannequin which can begin at $599.
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