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 architecture for a smoother, console-like experience. This has always been a key advantage for the Steam Deck, and now it's available on a different platform.
Lenovo's CES 2025 announcement revealed two Legion Go variants: the Legion Go 2 and the Legion Go S. While the Legion Go 2 is a direct successor to the original Legion Go, the Legion Go S boasts a lighter, more compact design with comparable power. The SteamOS version of the Legion Go S will come with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. A Windows 11 version will also be available in January 2025, starting at $599 (16GB RAM/1TB storage) and going up to $729 (32GB RAM/1TB storage).
Valve assures complete feature parity between the Steam Deck and the Legion Go S's SteamOS version, including identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). This move signifies Valve's commitment to expanding SteamOS availability.
Currently, Lenovo holds the exclusive license for a SteamOS-powered handheld. However, Valve's announcement of a public SteamOS beta for other handhelds in the coming months suggests broader compatibility is on the horizon. The success of the SteamOS Legion Go S could potentially influence future SteamOS partnerships with other manufacturers.
