Handheld gaming PCs like the Lenovo Legion Go S have seen a surge in popularity in recent years, largely thanks to the influence of the Steam Deck. Since Valve introduced its Linux-based handheld, major PC manufacturers have been eager to put their own spin on the concept. The Lenovo Legion Go S positions itself as a closer competitor to the Steam Deck, distinct from its predecessor, the original Legion Go.
The Lenovo Legion Go S departs from its predecessor's design by adopting a unibody structure, ditching the Switch-like removable controllers and the numerous dials and buttons that characterized the original. A significant highlight is the upcoming version of the Legion Go S, set to launch later this year with SteamOS, the Linux distribution that powers the Steam Deck. This will be the first non-Valve handheld gaming PC to run SteamOS out of the box. However, the model reviewed here runs Windows 11, and at $729, it struggles to compete effectively with other Windows 11 handhelds in the same price range.
Lenovo Legion Go S – Photos
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Lenovo Legion Go S – Design
In terms of design, the Lenovo Legion Go S mirrors the Asus ROG Ally more than the original Legion Go. It adopts a sleek, singular unit design, which enhances usability. The rounded edges of the chassis make the Legion Go S comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions, somewhat offsetting its heft. At 1.61 pounds, it's slightly lighter than the bulky original Legion Go (1.88 pounds) but heavier than the Asus ROG Ally X (1.49 pounds). This weight becomes more noticeable over time, given that users typically hold the device throughout gameplay.
In return for the added weight, the Lenovo Legion Go S boasts an impressive 8-inch, 1200p IPS display, rated at 500 nits of brightness. The visuals are stunning, enhancing the gaming experience across various titles, from the vibrant hues of Dragon Age: The Veilguard to the more realistic tones of Horizon Forbidden West. This display ranks among the best in handheld gaming PCs, only surpassed by the likes of the Steam Deck OLED.
The Legion Go S showcases a design influenced by other recent handhelds, yet it retains a striking aesthetic. Available in Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne (white and purple), the latter colorway is exclusive to the upcoming SteamOS version, set for release in 2025. Each joystick features an RGB lighting ring, which, while bright by default, can be easily adjusted via the on-screen menu.
The button layout on the Legion Go S is more intuitive than its predecessor's. The 'Start' and 'Select' buttons are now positioned in a more standard configuration on either side of the display. However, the placement of Lenovo's proprietary menu buttons above them might cause initial confusion, as it's easy to accidentally trigger the Legion software instead of pausing a game. These menu buttons are, however, quite useful, offering quick access to settings like screen brightness and power management, as well as shortcuts for tasks like opening Task Manager.
The Legion Go S retains the touchpad from the original Legion Go, albeit in a much smaller form. This compact touchpad can simulate mouse input, though its size makes navigating Windows more challenging than on the original. The upcoming SteamOS version should alleviate this issue, as the operating system is designed for controller navigation, much like the Steam Deck.
The LegionSpace software, accessible via a dedicated button on the left side of the display, manages system updates and consolidates your gaming library from various launchers. On the back, programmable 'paddle' buttons provide additional control options, and adjustable trigger levers offer two settings for trigger travel distance. The top of the device includes two USB 4 ports for charging and peripherals, while the bottom houses a centrally located MicroSD card slot, which may be inconvenient when docking the device.
Purchasing Guide
The reviewed Lenovo Legion Go S model will be available starting February 14 for $729.99, featuring an AMD Z2 Go APU, 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, a configuration with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD will be available in May for $599.99.
Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance
The Lenovo Legion Go S is the first handheld gaming PC to utilize the new AMD Z2 Go APU. While direct comparisons are challenging, the Z2 Go's specs, featuring a Zen 3 processor with 4 cores and 8 threads, paired with an RDNA 2 GPU with 12 graphics cores, suggest modest performance. It lags behind the $699 Legion Go and the $799 Asus ROG Ally X.
Despite a slightly larger 55Whr battery, the Legion Go S lasts only 4 hours and 29 minutes in the PCMark10 battery test, less than the original Legion Go's 4 hours and 53 minutes. This is likely due to the less efficient Zen 3 CPU architecture compared to the Zen 4 cores in the Legion Go’s Z1 Extreme.
Performance differences are evident in 3DMark, where the Legion Go S scores 2,179 points in Time Spy, compared to 2,775 for the original Legion Go and 3,346 for the ROG Ally X. In Fire Strike, the Legion Go S is 14% slower than the Legion Go.
In gaming, the Legion Go S shows marginal improvements in some titles. For instance, it achieves 41 fps in Hitman: World of Assassination, slightly better than the Legion Go's 39 fps. However, in Total War: Warhammer 3, it delivers 22 fps at 1080p on Ultra settings, down from the Legion Go's 24 fps. Similarly, in Cyberpunk 2077, the Legion Go S manages 21 fps on Ultra settings without ray tracing, compared to the Legion Go's 20 fps. Lowering settings to Medium with FSR set to performance yields a more playable 41 fps.
Horizon Forbidden West proves challenging, with stuttering issues even on low settings at 1080p. While the Legion Go S can handle most AAA games at 800p with Medium settings, achieving 30-40 fps, it struggles with more demanding titles. For these, waiting for systems with the Z2 Extreme later this year might be advisable.
However, the Legion Go S excels with less demanding games. Titles like Persona 5 look phenomenal on its display and maintain high frame rates.
Wait, It’s More Expensive?
Despite using the less powerful AMD Z2 Go APU and lacking the original's removable controllers, the Lenovo Legion Go S is priced at $729, higher than the $699 starting price of the Lenovo Legion Go. This pricing seems counterintuitive until considering its specs: 32GB of LPDDR5 memory and a 1TB SSD. While this memory capacity is generous, it's less beneficial with the Z2 Go's performance limitations.
The system memory is shared between the processor and GPU, and users can adjust the frame buffer in the BIOS to improve performance. However, navigating Windows and the BIOS with a controller and touchscreen can be cumbersome, and these instructions are absent from the User Guide.
For most handheld gaming needs, 32GB of memory is excessive. The current configuration of the Legion Go S seems unbalanced for its price. Fortunately, a more affordable version with 16GB of memory will be available in May for $599, offering a better value proposition in the handheld gaming market.
