I Replaced My Windows Pc With Lenovo's Steamos Handheld - And Didn't Regret It

3 weeks ago

Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The Legion Go S moving SteamOS is connected waste for $600.
This type trims nan fat and delivers a streamlined gaming acquisition via a vibrant 8-inch screen.
The simpler OS intends little features than nan Windows model.

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No, you're not seeing double. This is nan 2nd reappraisal I've done for Lenovo's Legion Go S. However, this 1 is typical because it doesn't tally Windows 11, it runs SteamOS. That azygous alteration successful nan operating strategy elevates nan Legion Go S from an okay gaming handheld to a awesome 1 -- rivaling nan Steam Deck itself.

Before I break down nan handheld, I should explicate Steam OS to those who don't know, arsenic nan package is astatine nan halfway of what makes this caller exemplary truthful good.

Also: I replaced my activity PC pinch this Dell laptop, and it was 1 of my champion decisions

SteamOS is simply a lightweight operating strategy primitively exclusive to nan Steam Deck. It delivers a user-friendly interface that isn't bloated pinch unwanted apps, and much importantly, it's designed specifically for gaming.

It's this streamlined OS is simply a large logic why nan Steam Deck has been truthful celebrated -- it's nary fuss, nary muss. Back successful January, Valve (the developer of Steam) announced it would statesman licensing nan operating strategy to third-party companies, pinch Lenovo being nan first (and astatine nan clip of this writing, only) partner.

A acquainted design

Design-wise, it's identical to nan earlier exemplary pinch nan only discernable quality being nan color. It is now successful Nebula purple alternatively of Glacier White. The instrumentality itself is conscionable arsenic comfortable successful my hands and doesn't consciousness bulky. Textured grips connected nan broadside extremity slipping, hall-effect analog sticks support accuracy and forestall drifting, and nan switches connected nan backmost impact nan recreation region for nan rear triggers.

Also: This MSI handheld could switch my gaming laptop, and not conscionable for its much portable design

However, nan touchpad nether nan correct analog instrumentality has mislaid its purpose. In nan erstwhile model, it was utilized to power nan cursor for various purposes, for illustration navigating a web browser. But, this instrumentality doesn't support immoderate browser aliases apps for that matter -- it's conscionable Steam.

The touchpad tin beryllium utilized successful games arsenic different fastener aliases to thief purpose weapons, though performing nan second doesn't consciousness great. It's truthful mini that it's difficult to get precise movements. Most of nan time, I ended up aiming my characteristic successful a wholly different guidance erstwhile I meant to sprout nan force successful beforehand of me.

Gaming connected nan go

Your gaming acquisition connected nan Legion Go S depends connected nan titles you play. As cool arsenic this handheld whitethorn be, it is still conscionable a handheld, not immoderate ultra-powerful desktop. Underneath nan hood is an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, an AMD Radeon GPU, and 16GB of RAM. This configuration is overmuch happier tackling lightweight games for illustration "Hades" aliases "Stardew Valley". Titles for illustration those tally astatine a consistently soft 120Hz. It's for illustration art.

AAA games for illustration Monster Hunter Wilds person a harder clip moving connected nan Legion Go S. Graphics are blurry, and capacity slows down erstwhile there's a batch connected screen. That sounds for illustration a sound against nan device, but nan Steam Deck besides struggles pinch nan same. It's nan quality of nan tech, and nan truth that it tin moreover tally these titles astatine each is commendable successful its ain right.

Luckily, you tin tweak nan hardware's capacity connected nan fly. Pressing nan fastener astatine nan precocious correct area of nan surface launches nan settings menu. Then, conscionable click nan lightning bolt icon to unfastened nan Performance page wherever you tin tweak nan game's capacity to champion suit your needs.

If you don't want to walk half an hr adjusting nan settings for illustration I did, you tin conscionable activate a title's default profile. This characteristic is my absolute favorite. It automatically applies a game's capacity floor plan according to what Steam has for it, taking each of nan guesswork out.

Battery life isn't great. While "Monster Hunter", nan Legion Go S ran for astir an hr and 15 minutes earlier I had to drawback nan charger. However, connected lighter games for illustration "Hades 2", that clip went up to 2 hours.

Lenovo Legion Go S vs Steam Deck

With nan merchandise of nan SteamOS Legion Go S, I see nan erstwhile Windows exemplary obsolete. This type is nan only 1 you should attraction about, and it serves arsenic a awesome replacement to nan OLED Steam Deck. Now nan mobility is, what should you get: nan Legion Go S aliases nan Steam Deck?

It's close, but I for illustration nan Legion Go S much because of its touchscreen. Lenovo's instrumentality has an 8-inch LCD that runs astatine a 120Hz refresh rate, while Valve's Steam Deck has a 7.4-inch OLED touchscreen that runs astatine 90Hz max. I worth higher refresh rates because they guarantee smoother animations and faster consequence times, which tin mean nan quality betwixt winning and losing.

On nan different hand, nan Steam Deck's OLED surface does mean its colour output is much impressive.

Also: I replaced my ThinkPad pinch a dual-screen Windows laptop - here's my verdict aft a month

There are different deciding factors to consider. The Steam Deck's OLED show delivers a much vibrant colour palette, and Valve's instrumentality is lighter astatine 1.4 pounds, while nan Legion Go S clocks successful astatine 1.62 pounds. Also, nan Steam Deck has importantly larger touchpads underneath nan Deck's analog sticks, which make controlling first-person shooters easier.

ZDNET's buying advice

Lenovo's Legion Go S is connected waste for $600 astatine Best Buy correct now, which is simply a competitory price. I had a blast pinch this product, and it's a instrumentality I would perfectly get for myself, particularly connected sale. However, if you worth much vibrant colors and bigger trackpads, get nan Steam Deck, which retails for $549.