Lenovo’s Legion Go S SteamOS edition has just launched and already comes with a $50 price cut, which is quite unusual for such a recent release. This handheld gaming PC is quickly becoming the go-to choice for portable PC gaming, especially after scoring an impressive 91% in recent reviews. Let’s break down why this device is turning heads and why you might want to grab it while the discount is still available.
Right off the bat, you might wonder if a quick discount means something’s off. Nope! The SteamOS version of the Legion Go S is outperforming some heavy hitters, including the Asus ROG Ally X. It’s now the top pick for the best handheld gaming PC, beating out its rivals with solid hardware and software synergy.
Under the hood, the Legion Go S packs an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, boasting eight cores and 16 threads with a boost clock reaching 4.6 GHz. Honestly, that’s a CPU better than what any console offers right now. The integrated GPU includes 12 RDNA 3 compute units, the same as the ROG Ally X; however, the Legion Go S often outperforms it. Interesting, right? Especially since it has to push more pixels on its 8-inch 1200p IPS screen compared to the Ally’s 7-inch 1080p display.
Part of the magic is in the memory: this Legion model has 32 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, which is 33% more than the Ally X and runs 15% faster. Since handheld APUs share RAM between the CPU and GPU, having that much fast memory allows the GPU to utilize its full capabilities.
Another significant factor is SteamOS itself. Valve’s Linux-based OS is designed specifically for gaming, and this streamlined system runs smoothly on the Legion Go S. Of course, not every PC game will run perfectly because many are made for Windows, requiring SteamOS to emulate or translate instructions. When it works, though, it’s silky smooth. Curious which games play best? Check out Valve’s list of Steam Deck-verified titles. If they’re good on the Steam Deck, they should be solid on this device too.
Battery life is decent but won’t last a whole day of gaming, clocking in at a few hours under load. Additionally, the trackpad has some quirks on SteamOS, and the fans can become quite noisy when the system heats up. Still, these are minor issues compared to the overall experience.
The Legion Go S SteamOS edition feels exactly like what a handheld gaming PC should be: fast, smooth, and enjoyable to use. It’s going to take something pretty special to dethrone it from the top spot. Have you tried this handheld yet? What do you think about Valve’s SteamOS on a device like this?
