Lenovo Introduces First Non-Valve Steam OS Handheld Device

Lenovo has officially introduced the Legion Go S, marking a significant milestone in the handheld gaming landscape as it becomes the first PC gaming handheld to run on Steam OS, exclusive of Valve’s own production.

The market for handheld gaming PCs has surged since Valve unveiled the Steam Deck, which has led numerous manufacturers to showcase their own devices. Among the contenders, the Asus Rog Ally and Lenovo Legion Go have emerged as frontrunners in the Windows 11 handheld category.

Now, with a growing demand for a portable gaming experience fueled by Valve’s popular Linux-based Steam OS, Lenovo’s recent announcement has created a buzz among enthusiasts and gamers alike.

Introducing the Steam OS Version of Lenovo Legion Go S

During CES 2025, Lenovo showcased an array of new handheld devices, including the highly anticipated Legion Go S. As highlighted on MicroCenter’s blog, this model stands out as a compact iteration of its larger 8.8-inch Legion Go Windows handheld, featuring detachable controllers.

Notably, the Legion Go S introduces a Steam OS variant—an innovation that positions Lenovo as the first company besides Valve to offer a handheld running Steam OS.

In addition, Lenovo plans to launch a Windows version of the Legion Go S, ensuring access to popular platforms like the Xbox game store and titles such as Apex Legends that are not compatible with Linux systems.

BREAKING: Lenovo Legion GO S Revealed ⚠️✅️ GO S Windows – Jan 2025 | $729✅️ GO S SteamOS – May 2025✅️ 8″1920 X 1200 IPS Display✅️ Z2 GO/Z1 Extreme Chip✅️ 32GB RAM pic.twitter.com/89gPKV9ndN

— Deck Wizard (@deckwizardyt) January 7, 2025

Regarding its specifications, MicroCenter indicates that the Legion Go S will feature either AMD’s latest Ryzen Z2 Go processor or the popular Ryzen Z1 Extreme, which is already in use within Asus’ premium Rog Ally. Gamers can expect an eight-inch IPS display boasting a resolution of 1920×1200, along with 32 GB of RAM.

The launch timeline for these models is set, with the Windows variant expected to hit the shelves in January 2025 priced at $729, while the Steam OS version is projected for release in May 2025, with details on its pricing still to be confirmed.

This announcement follows recent discussions stirred by a Valve developer on Bluesky, who downplayed rumors regarding AMD’s new Z2 processors powering a potential Steam Deck 2. Valve has previously indicated that they are awaiting a significant improvement in performance before considering an upgrade for their aging handheld systems, suggesting that fans may need to be patient for some time.

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