The Switch 2 mostly exists in its own world, though. If you want something more powerful that can also access the much larger libraries (and steeper sales) of PC storefronts like Steam, you want a handheld PC. The Lenovo Legion Go S is our favorite of those right now, specifically the version that runs on Valve’s SteamOS and uses AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip.
There are two comparisons to make here: one between this hardware and Valve’s own Steam Deck, the other between SteamOS and Windows, the operating system used by most other handheld PCs. Let’s start with the former: The Legion Go S is the first handheld other than the Steam Deck to ship with Valve’s flexible but intuitive gaming platform. The model I recommend costs $900, a hefty $350 more than the Steam Deck OLED, but its upgrades are substantial enough to be worth the premium.
The main thing is performance: With a beefier Z1 Extreme chip, double the RAM at 32GB, 1TB of storage and a higher max power draw — up to 33W when running on battery power instead of 15W, or up to 40W when plugged into a charger — the Legion Go S is clearly superior for playing resource-intensive games. Most games I tested ran at higher frame rates and resolutions when all other settings were equal. Blockbusters like Cyberpunk and Red Dead Redemption 2 could reach a steady 60 frames per second (fps) with fewer visual sacrifices. There were still some dips when I ran around the notoriously tricky city areas in Act 3 of Baldur’s Gate 3, but they were far less debilitating. There’s just more headroom to make your games look better, and crucially, you’ll have less trouble with future releases as power demands grow. Not everything runs perfectly, but you won’t hit the wall as hard as the Deck already has over the last couple of years.
I find the Legion Go S more pleasant to hold as well. It’s a little chunkier and heavier than the already-large Steam Deck, so smaller-handed folks may find it fatiguing over time. But if you can live with the weight, the rounded, lightly textured edges and snappy offset joysticks slide naturally into the hand. The face buttons, triggers and d-pad are all responsive and comfortably sized too. Everything feels sturdy, and since the joysticks use Hall effect sensors, they should avoid any “drifting” as the years roll on.
The 8-inch LCD display is another highlight. It’s not a clear upgrade over the Steam Deck OLED’s panel, which supports HDR and puts out better contrast and bolder colors. But it’s bigger, and so many PC games beg to be played on a larger screen. It’s much sharper at 1200p, plus it supports VRR. It also has a faster 120Hz refresh rate, which helps some games look a bit more fluid in motion.
But there are still trade-offs. Using those higher performance modes can nuke battery life and make the built-in fans sound like a small jet engine. Battery life isn’t great to start, typically lasting between 1.5 and 4 hours depending on what you play. The Deck is just more power-efficient at 15W. (The fans here do well to keep the system cool under load, however.) The speakers could be clearer. The dinky trackpad is no match for the larger touch panels on the Deck, which some swear by for strategy games and MMOs. The Deck also has more robust community support for things like custom controller profiles. And all of this would be more appealing if it cost $100-200 less. If you’ve got the cash, though, this version of the Legion Go S has real and lasting advantages over Valve’s machine.
That’s the hardware comparison. The other involves software. Lenovo does sell a Windows version of the Legion Go S, but the SteamOS model provides a more frictionless, optimized and generally console-like experience. The Linux-based OS still has a few shortcomings: Not every game is supported, including many popular live-service games, and accessing purchases from outside of Steam isn’t entirely straightforward. But the vast majority of your Steam library should work without trouble, and the OS still feels made for handhelds in a way Windows is not. Its core elements are legible and sensibly designed, and it’s not saddled with as much bloat. At the same time, there are tons of community-made plug-ins and programs you can install to make the OS more useful.
Also note that there’s a lower-cost version of the Legion Go S with a weaker Ryzen Z2 Go chip. I’d skip that one unless you know you’ll stick to less demanding games or you really want the large VRR display at a cheaper price. It’d be more enticing if you see it on sale.