Lenovo Legion Go S: SteamOS Arrives on a Third-Party 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 expansion of SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, a project Valve has been pursuing for some time, opens up exciting possibilities for handheld PC gaming.

The Lenovo Legion Go S, powered by SteamOS, will launch in May 2025 at $499. This price point offers a compelling alternative to competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+, especially considering SteamOS's advantages. Unlike Windows-based handhelds, which often struggle with optimization for portable use, SteamOS provides a smoother, more console-like experience. This has been a key differentiator for the Steam Deck, and now it's extending to other devices.

Rumors of a SteamOS-powered Lenovo Legion Go S variant circulated prior to its official announcement at CES 2025. Lenovo unveiled two new Legion Go models: the Legion Go 2 (a successor to the original) and the Legion Go S (a lighter, more compact version with similar power). The Legion Go S will be available in two versions – one running SteamOS and the other Windows 11.

Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications:

SteamOS Version:

• Operating System: Valve's Linux-based 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)

The $499 SteamOS version will offer full feature parity with the Steam Deck, receiving identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). The Windows version, launching earlier at a higher price point, caters to users who prefer a familiar operating system. While currently no plans exist for a SteamOS version of the flagship Legion Go 2, this could change depending on the success of the Legion Go S's SteamOS variant.

Currently, Lenovo holds the unique position as Valve's sole partner for a licensed SteamOS device. However, Valve's announcement of a public SteamOS beta for other handhelds in the coming months suggests broader accessibility is on the horizon for users of devices such as the Asus ROG Ally.