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.

The SteamOS-powered Legion Go S offers a compelling alternative to Windows-based handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+. Its key advantage lies in SteamOS's optimized Linux-based system, providing a smoother, more console-like experience compared to Windows on a portable device. Valve has been working towards this third-party expansion for several years, finally culminating in this partnership.

Initially rumored, the Legion Go S's SteamOS variant was officially confirmed at CES 2025. Lenovo also announced the Legion Go 2, a higher-end model, but only the Legion Go S will initially offer the SteamOS option. The Legion Go S boasts a lighter, more compact design than its predecessor while maintaining comparable performance.

Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications:

SteamOS Version:

• Operating System: Valve's Linux-based SteamOS
• Launch Date: May 2025
• Price: $499 (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 SteamOS version will launch in May 2025 for $499, featuring full feature parity with the Steam Deck and receiving identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). A Windows 11 version will precede it, launching in January 2025 at a higher price point. While the Legion Go 2 currently lacks SteamOS support, future availability depends on the Legion Go S's market reception.

Lenovo's partnership with Valve is currently unique. However, Valve's announcement of a public SteamOS beta for other handhelds in the coming months suggests broader accessibility for users of devices like the Asus ROG Ally.