A purpose-built OS makes all of the distinction

Earlier this yr, Lenovo launched a extra streamlined and doubtlessly reasonably priced tackle its within the . Sadly, the Home windows 11 model got here first, which wasn’t the one we have been most enthusiastic about. Now, the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS has arrived, and oh my, what a distinction an working system could make. Not solely does this mannequin function a UI that is a lot better fitted to a conveyable gaming machine, it has quicker efficiency as effectively. However one of the best half is that the SteamOS variant is inexpensive than its Home windows sibling. All of this makes for a handheld that is a welcome different to the Steam Deck, particularly for anybody who’s not a fan of Valve’s {hardware}.

Design and show: Preserving it easy

Like its sibling, the SteamOS model of the Legion Go S contains a very simple design. A giant distinction between the 2 is that this mannequin contains a darkish purple physique as a substitute of the white shell on the Home windows variant. Because of its massive 8-inch 1200p show and sizable grips, it’s kind of chunkier than rivals just like the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally X. At 500 nits, brightness is above common in comparison with typical handheld PCs. Nonetheless, as a result of Lenovo makes use of an LCD panel, colours aren’t fairly as vibrant and you aren’t getting these pure inky blacks such as you do on a system with an OLED display screen equivalent to the unique Legion Go.

I like that Lenovo included Corridor impact sensors for its joysticks, together with a toggle that permits you to regulate the pull depth of the triggers. Plus, the addition of a second USB-C port lets you cost the machine whereas maintaining different equipment plugged in. There’s additionally a pair of programmable paddles on the again and a helpful microSD card slot for expandable storage.

The most important departures from the flagship Legion Go are that this mannequin’s joysticks and buttons can’t be indifferent and its built-in touchpad is considerably smaller. This implies the latter is healthier suited to shifting the cursor round SteamOS in desktop mode or to navigating menus than it’s as a real alternate management scheme whereas enjoying video games. You additionally do not get a fingerprint reader, which I believe must be an ordinary inclusion on handheld gaming PCs at this level.

Efficiency and software program: Higher with SteamOS

The Legion Go S powered by SteamOS is accessible in a number of configurations. Our $830 overview unit options an AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive chip with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Sadly, this implies I wasn’t capable of run true apples-to-apples efficiency exams with the Ryzen Z2 Go-equipped model of the Home windows Legion Go S I reviewed earlier this yr. However given the lackluster outcomes from that mannequin, I usually would not advocate any handheld powered by that chip, despite the fact that that model is considerably extra reasonably priced. If price range is a priority, Valve’s Steam Deck stays the higher choice.

Although the Go S with SteamOS options the very same chip, I really noticed barely higher efficiency right here in comparison with the unique Legion Go. With each techniques set to a 15-watt TDP (whole machine energy), the Legion Go S edged out the Home windows mannequin in Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p on medium graphics by pumping out 58 fps versus 54 fps. By comparability, the Steam Deck OLED managed 53 fps. And in Management at 800p on medium, it was the same state of affairs, although the hole was even smaller. The Legion Go S hit 29 fps, beating out the OG Legion Go (27 fps) and the Steam Deck OLED (24 fps).

The reason for the SteamOS mannequin’s improved horsepower is difficult to pinpoint — particularly as efficiency varies from title to title — but it surely’s usually as a result of Valve’s platform having much less overhead and system processes than Home windows-based rivals. And if that wasn’t sufficient, the SteamOS UI is healthier designed for a devoted gaming machine, as turning on the system boots you proper into your recreation library versus spitting you out into Microsoft’s basic desktop view. There are additionally some minor tweaks in Valve’s OS to help options just like the built-in RGB lighting on the Legion Go S — one thing the Steam Deck would not have.

For followers of SteamOS, the primary cause except for value to select a Steam Deck over the Legion Go S (or vice versa) is that every system options totally different efficiency targets. Valve’s handheld has a TDP that tops out at 15 watts, and at decrease energy ranges, it options higher vitality effectivity than the Legion Go S. This makes it extra appropriate for individuals who usually play older video games or much less demanding 2D fare. Alternatively, Lenovo’s handheld has a max TDP of 33 watts (or 40 when plugged into the wall), which makes it more proficient at dealing with resource-intensive trendy titles. So if you need greater body charges (which you in all probability do), a Z1 Excessive Legion Go S with SteamOS has far more headroom to push pixels even more durable.

Battery life: Only a contact extra environment friendly

That includes a mid-size 55WHr battery, longevity on the Legion Go S when operating SteamOS would not actually stand out. Nonetheless, I discovered that on common, it runs as much as half-hour longer than its Home windows counterpart throughout quite a lot of titles. When enjoying Steel Slug Ways, it lasted simply shy of three hours (2:50) in comparison with nearer to an hour and a half for the Home windows 11 mannequin (2:33). It was the same state of affairs in Elden Ring, the place the SteamOS model was capable of proceed for an additional quarter-hour after its sibling conked out.

Wrap-up

The Legion Go S powered by SteamOS is an easy and well-built gaming handheld with a good larger display screen than Valve’s transportable and arguably higher ergonomics. When configured with a Ryzen Z1 Excessive chip, it is a better option for taking part in extra demanding trendy video games with out feeling pressured to modify to a Home windows-based machine. It additionally has a extra optimized UI than its Microsoft-powered rivals whereas retaining helpful options like Corridor impact joysticks and twin USB-C ports.

With Z1 Excessive fashions beginning at $830 as a substitute of $600 for the Z2 Go configs, although, it is not fairly as reasonably priced as I assumed it could be again when it was first introduced at first of the yr. Besides, it is good to have choices. And as simply one in every of two handhelds in the marketplace that include SteamOS pre-installed, the Legion Go S makes an attention-grabbing argument as a much bigger and extra highly effective improve to the Steam Deck.