Lenovo Legion Go S Review

The Lenovo Legion Go S: A Handheld PC Review

Handheld gaming PCs like the Lenovo Legion Go S have surged in popularity, largely thanks to the Steam Deck. Following Valve's success, major PC manufacturers are entering the market, with the Legion Go S aiming for a closer comparison to the Steam Deck than its predecessor.

Unlike the original, the Legion Go S boasts a unibody design, ditching the removable controllers and extra buttons. A SteamOS version is slated for later this year, making it the first non-Valve handheld to offer this OS out-of-the-box. However, this review focuses on the Windows 11 model. Compared to similarly priced Windows 11 handhelds, the $729 Lenovo Legion Go S struggles to compete.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Image Gallery

7 Images

Lenovo Legion Go S – Design and Features

The Legion Go S resembles the Asus ROG Ally more than its predecessor. Its unibody design improves usability. The rounded edges enhance comfort during extended gaming sessions, somewhat offsetting its considerable weight (1.61 pounds). While lighter than the original Legion Go (1.88 pounds), it's heavier than the Asus ROG Ally X (1.49 pounds).

The 8-inch, 1200p IPS display, rated at 500 nits, is stunning. Games look exceptional, showcasing vibrant colors. It's arguably one of the best handheld gaming PC displays, rivaled only by the Steam Deck OLED.

Available in Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne (purple, exclusive to the SteamOS version), it features bright RGB lighting rings around the joysticks, customizable via an on-screen menu.

Button placement is more intuitive than the original. However, the placement of Lenovo's menu buttons above the Start and Select buttons can initially cause accidental activation. These menu buttons offer quick access to settings and system functions.

The touchpad is smaller than the original, making Windows navigation less convenient. This will be less of an issue with the SteamOS version. A dedicated button accesses the LegionSpace software for system management and game library access.

Programmable paddle buttons on the back offer improved tactile feedback. Adjustable trigger travel distance offers only two settings: full and minimal. Two USB 4 ports are located on top, while the microSD card slot is unusually placed on the bottom.

Purchasing Guide

The reviewed Lenovo Legion Go S ($729.99) features a Z2 Go APU, 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. A more affordable 16GB RAM/512GB SSD version will launch in May for $599.99.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance

The AMD Z2 Go APU (Zen 3 processor with 4 cores/8 threads, RDNA 2 GPU with 12 cores) is not cutting-edge. Benchmark comparisons reveal performance shortcomings compared to the Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally X.

Battery life, despite a larger 55Whr battery, is only 4 hours and 29 minutes (PCMark10 test), slightly less than the original Legion Go. 3DMark results show significant performance deficits.

Game performance is mixed. While slightly faster than the original Legion Go in some titles, frame rates remain relatively low, especially at higher settings. Horizon Forbidden West proved particularly challenging. Less demanding games perform better.

Wait, It’s More Expensive?

The Legion Go S's higher price ($729) compared to the Legion Go ($699) is surprising given its weaker APU and lower resolution display. The higher RAM (32GB) and 1TB SSD contribute to the cost, but this is excessive for the Z2 Go APU's capabilities. The slower memory speed further impacts performance.

Increasing the frame buffer allocation in the BIOS improves performance, highlighting the RAM's underutilization. However, BIOS access is not user-friendly.

Handheld gaming PCs inherently face performance limitations. The Legion Go S's 32GB RAM is unnecessary for most users. The May release of the $599 16GB RAM version offers significantly better value.

Which Gaming Handheld Are You Most Excited For in 2025?

Nintendo Switch 2 [Unofficial Name]Lenovo Legion Go SAcer Nitro Blaze SeriesMSI Claw 8 AI+Other - Asus ROG Ally X, Steam Deck, CustomAnswerSee Results

The current Lenovo Legion Go S configuration is overpriced. The cheaper 16GB RAM version represents a much more compelling purchase.