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, offering consumers a new choice in portable gaming.
The Legion Go S, launching in May 2025 for $499, boasts a 16GB RAM/512GB storage configuration and leverages SteamOS's renowned smooth, console-like experience—a stark contrast to the Windows-based alternatives often hampered by portability limitations. This optimized Linux-based OS has been a key advantage for the Steam Deck, and its expansion to other devices has been a long-time goal for Valve.
Rumors of a SteamOS variant of the Legion Go S circulated prior to its official announcement at CES 2025. Lenovo also introduced the Legion Go 2 at the event, but the Legion Go S, with its lighter, more compact design and SteamOS option, stands out as a significant development in the handheld PC market.
Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications:
SteamOS Version:
- Operating System: Valve's SteamOS (Linux-based)
- Launch Date: May 2025
- Price: $499
- Configuration: 16GB RAM / 512GB storage
Windows 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, ensuring identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). A Windows 11 version is also available, offering a familiar alternative. While the flagship Legion Go 2 currently lacks a SteamOS option, future availability depends on the success of the Legion Go S.
Lenovo's partnership with Valve is currently unique, but Valve's announcement of a public SteamOS beta for other handhelds in the coming months suggests broader adoption is on the horizon. This opens exciting possibilities for owners of devices like the Asus ROG Ally, offering them a chance to experience the benefits of SteamOS.
