Lenovo Legion Go S: The First Third-Party SteamOS Handheld
Lenovo's upcoming Legion Go S gaming handheld marks a significant milestone: it's the first non-Valve device to ship with SteamOS. This collaboration expands SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, offering gamers a new option in the burgeoning handheld PC market.
The Legion Go S, launching in May 2025 for $499, will feature a 16GB RAM/512GB storage configuration running Valve's smooth, Linux-based SteamOS. This contrasts with competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+, which utilize Windows. SteamOS's console-like experience and optimization for portable devices provide a key advantage. Valve has been working towards third-party SteamOS support for years, and the Legion Go S is the culmination of that effort.
Revealed at CES 2025 alongside the higher-spec Legion Go 2, the Legion Go S offers a lighter, more compact design while maintaining comparable power to its predecessor. The availability of both SteamOS and Windows versions caters to diverse user preferences.
Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications:
SteamOS Version:
- Operating System: Valve's SteamOS
- 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 guarantees full feature parity between the Legion Go S and the Steam Deck, ensuring identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). The Windows version provides an alternative for users preferring a familiar OS. While the Legion Go 2 currently lacks SteamOS support, future availability depends on the Legion Go S's market reception.
Currently, Lenovo holds the exclusive license for a SteamOS handheld from Valve. However, Valve's announcement of a public SteamOS beta for other handhelds (including the Asus ROG Ally) in the coming months suggests broader adoption is on the horizon.
