Lenovo Legion Go S left you unimpressed, prompting a desire to invest in a Steam Deck instead.
In the realm of handheld gaming PCs, the market is rapidly evolving, offering a variety of options for gamers. One of the latest entrants is the Lenovo Legion Go S, which stands out as a compelling choice, particularly when running SteamOS.
Priced around $599, the Lenovo Legion Go S is marketed slightly higher than the Steam Deck OLED model. However, it boasts superior performance, thanks to its AMD Z1 Extreme chipset with a newer Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU. This makes it more powerful than the Steam Deck (2022 model), which uses an older AMD Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU.
The Legion Go S offers a larger 8-8.8 inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a more ergonomic design with detachable controllers, making it quite unique and comfortable for gaming. It's worth noting that the Lenovo Legion Go S currently runs on Windows as its operating system, but a SteamOS version is upcoming, set to launch in May at a price of $499, a price gap of $230 compared to the current model.
If you're looking for a handheld gaming PC immediately, the Asus ROG Ally and the slightly updated Asus ROG Ally X are better options. These devices deliver stellar performance at a price only $70 higher than the Lenovo Legion Go S. The original Lenovo Legion Go, priced at $499, outscores the Lenovo Legion Go S in several key categories, including display quality, overall performance, and game performance.
For budget buyers, refurbished Steam Deck models are available, offering a more affordable alternative. On the other hand, mid-tier devices like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, which use Snapdragon 865 chips, provide great performance for retro and emulated games at a much lower price point (around $200-$230). These devices are less powerful but more affordable alternatives for specific use cases such as playing PS2, GameCube, or upscaling old games, and they support Linux dual boot, expanding versatility.
In conclusion, the Lenovo Legion Go S paired with SteamOS is currently among the best for high-end handheld PC gaming due to its superior CPU/GPU, display quality, and ergonomics. Lower-cost mid-tier handhelds like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2 cater more to retro gaming and budget buyers but do not reach the same performance levels. The Lenovo Legion Go S, with its upcoming SteamOS version, offers a compelling balance of performance, features, and price, making it a strong contender in the handheld gaming PC market.
- The Lenovo Legion Go S is priced around $599, making it slightly more expensive than the Steam Deck OLED model.
- The Legion Go S's performance is superior due to its AMD Z1 Extreme chipset with a newer Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU.
- The Legion Go S features a larger 8-8.8 inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a more ergonomic design with detachable controllers.
- In May, a SteamOS version of the Lenovo Legion Go S will launch for $499, a price gap of $230 compared to the current model.
- If immediate use is required, the Asus ROG Ally and the Asus ROG Ally X might be better options, as they deliver stellar performance at a price only $70 higher.
- For budget buyers, refurbished Steam Deck models offer an affordable gaming PC alternative, while devices like the Retroid Pocket Flip 2, using Snapdragon 865 chips, are less powerful but more affordable for retro gaming and specific use cases.
