Lenovo Legion Go S: A Comprehensive Review

Handheld gaming PCs, such as the Lenovo Legion Go S, have surged in popularity over the last few years, largely thanks to the success of Valve's Steam Deck. This trend has prompted major PC manufacturers to introduce their own versions, with the Lenovo Legion Go S positioning itself closer to the Steam Deck than its predecessor, the original Legion Go.

The Lenovo Legion Go S introduces a significant design shift from its earlier counterpart by adopting a unibody structure, moving away from the detachable controllers reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch. This new design not only simplifies the device but also enhances its ergonomics. The rounded edges of the Legion Go S make it comfortable to hold during extended gaming sessions, despite its notable weight of 1.61 pounds, which is slightly lighter than the original Legion Go but heavier than competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X.

One of the standout features of the Legion Go S is its impressive 8-inch, 1200p IPS display, which boasts a brightness of 500 nits. This screen delivers stunning visuals, making games like Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Horizon Forbidden West pop with vibrant colors and crisp details. While it may not surpass the Steam Deck OLED's display, it's among the best in its category.

The Legion Go S is available in two appealing colorways, Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne, with the latter reserved for the upcoming SteamOS version. The device features RGB lighting around the joysticks, which can be customized easily through the on-screen menu. The button layout has been streamlined for a more intuitive experience, although the placement of Lenovo's proprietary menu buttons might take some getting used to.

The Legion Go S includes a smaller touchpad compared to its predecessor, which might make navigating Windows a bit challenging. However, the upcoming SteamOS version, set for release later in 2025, should alleviate these issues, as SteamOS is designed for controller navigation.

On the performance front, the Legion Go S is powered by the new AMD Z2 Go APU, featuring a Zen 3 processor and RDNA 2 GPU. While these are not the latest technologies, the Legion Go S still manages to hold its own in gaming, especially when settings are adjusted to medium at 800p resolution. It performs well in less demanding games like Persona 5, showcasing its vibrant display to full effect.

Battery life, however, is a weak point, with the Legion Go S lasting only 4 hours and 29 minutes in the PCMark10 test, less than its predecessor despite having a larger battery. This is likely due to the less efficient Zen 3 CPU architecture.

The initial configuration of the Legion Go S, available from February 14, is priced at $729.99 and comes with 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD. A more affordable version with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD will be released in May for $599.99, offering better value for money.

Despite its impressive display and ergonomic design, the Legion Go S's higher price point and performance limitations make it a challenging recommendation at $729. However, the upcoming $599 version with reduced specs could offer a more compelling option for budget-conscious gamers looking for a capable handheld gaming PC.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Photos

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