Lenovo's Legion Go S: The First Third-Party SteamOS Handheld
Lenovo has unveiled the Legion Go S, a groundbreaking handheld gaming PC, marking the first third-party device to ship with Valve's SteamOS. This collaboration expands SteamOS beyond its original home on the Steam Deck.
The Legion Go S, launching in May 2025 for $499, offers a compelling alternative to Windows-based handhelds. Unlike competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+, which utilize Windows, the Legion Go S leverages SteamOS's optimized Linux-based system for a smoother, console-like experience. This has been a key advantage for the Steam Deck, and now it's available to a wider audience.
Lenovo showcased two Legion Go variants at CES 2025: the Legion Go 2 (a successor to the original Legion Go) and the Legion Go S. The Legion Go S, available in a SteamOS version and a Windows 11 version, provides consumers with more choice.
Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications:
SteamOS Version:
- Operating System: Valve's SteamOS
- Launch Date: May 2025
- Price: $499
- Configuration: 16GB RAM / 512GB storage
Windows 11 Version:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Launch Date: January 2025
- Price: $599 (16GB RAM / 1TB storage), $729 (32GB RAM / 1TB storage)
Valve assures full feature parity between the SteamOS version of the Legion Go S and the Steam Deck, including identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments).
While currently exclusive to Lenovo, Valve's commitment extends further. A public SteamOS beta will soon be released for other handheld gaming PCs, opening the door for broader adoption. The success of the SteamOS-powered Legion Go S could influence future partnerships and potentially bring SteamOS to the Legion Go 2.
