The handheld gaming PC market has been buzzing with activity ever since Valve introduced the Steam Deck. This device paved the way for other options like the Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go. Recently, Lenovo has introduced a new contender with the Legion Go S, powered by AMD’s fresh Z2 Go processor. This marks a shift in design from its predecessor.
One glance at the new Legion Go S and you’ll realize it’s no longer mimicking the Nintendo Switch with detachable controllers. Instead, Lenovo has opted for an all-in-one design much like the ROG Ally and Steam Deck. The screen has been downsized too; now it’s 8 inches, down from the original 8.8.
Despite shedding the detachable controllers, the Legion Go S remains a bulky device. This heft, among other steps back, are essential considerations before deciding if the Legion Go S should be your handheld PC gaming device of choice.
Design and Comfort of the Lenovo Legion Go S
While the core purpose remains the same, the Legion Go S and its predecessor, the Legion Go, have some notable differences. The older model combines matte grey aluminum with plastic, but the Legion Go S opts entirely for molded white plastic with black buttons and triggers. While this gives it a less premium touch compared to the prior iteration, the unit still feels sturdy and robust.
The curvier design is a welcome change for comfort, as it’s more accommodating than the previous Legion Go’s angular shape. A session comparing both devices made it clear: playing on the Legion Go S left my hands and fingers feeling less worn out.
A design shift you immediately notice is the absence of a kickstand. The previous model included one to support the system when its controllers were detached. With the current design incorporating fixed controllers, perhaps Lenovo felt such a feature wasn’t required anymore.
There’s also a noticeable step back in display quality. The previous display was a 2560 x 1600 8.8-inch screen, whereas this one offers a smaller 8-inch, 1920 x 1200 screen. Personally, I find the reduced size and resolution acceptable since trying to game at the higher 2560 x 1600 resolution was often pushing the limits of functionality.
In terms of size and weight, the Legion Go S comes in at 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.89 inches and 1.61 pounds. In contrast, the original Legion Go was slightly bigger and heavier, at 11.76 x 5.16 x 1.60 inches and weighing 1.88 pounds. When compared to the Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck, the new Legion still holds its own in terms of dimensions and ergonomics.
The control layout mirrors that of an Xbox controller, with offset joysticks and ABXY buttons on the right. New functionality includes a D-pad, a small touchpad, and four programmable buttons around the display.
On top, it’s got the usual LB/LT and RB/RT triggers, alongside two programmable buttons on the back. You can adjust trigger travel with dials located on the backside. Connectivity options include two USB 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD card slot.
Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications
Here’s a quick specs rundown: At its core, the Legion Go S is powered by the new AMD Ryzen Z2 Go with Zen 3+ architecture, featuring four cores and eight threads. It is paired with AMD Radeon 680M graphics, 32GB of fast LPDDR5X memory, and a large 1TB SSD. The display is an 8-inch IPS touchscreen, boasting 1920 x 1200 resolution at 120 Hz. It also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Notably, it runs Windows 11 Home out of the box and is priced at $729.99.
Gaming and Graphics on the Lenovo Legion Go S
The Legion Go S features a newer AMD processor, the Z2 Go, yet in terms of performance, it doesn’t quite match up to the Z1 Extreme in the original Legion Go. The Z2 Go’s architecture is based on Zen 3+ with fewer cores and a lower frequency range.
When testing the device under different gaming scenarios, I found its performance varied. On battery power, the Legion Go S is about 10% faster than its predecessor but 10% to 20% slower when the power profile is pushed to its limit.
For example, it runs Shadow of the Tomb Raider at moderate settings quite effectively on battery. However, power it up, and its performance doesn’t hold up compared to others like the ROG Ally. Cyberpunk 2077 presented a similar story, trailing considerably at higher settings.
Windows 11 on the Lenovo Legion Go S
Preloaded with Windows 11, navigating the Legion Go S should be straightforward. However, there have been some quirks, like an uncooperative on-screen keyboard and oversize taskbar icons. It adopts a traditional Windows interface but can benefit from some touch user interface improvements.
Despite these issues, a small touchpad offers a pointer control alternative, although it might test your patience while gaming. The feedback from the touchpad is customizable, so you can dial down the vibration.
Unfortunately, omitting a kickstand impacts its utility as a desktop setup with a keyboard and mouse combination.
Legion Space on the Lenovo Legion Go S
This app acts as a hub, offering access to settings, game launches, and customization for the controllers. It’s well-organized, making it easy to navigate through your library or tweak system settings.
The tab you’d probably use most often is ‘Settings’ which gives a quick glance at crucial metrics like fan speed and CPU temperature. You’ll also find options for performance modes and display settings here.
Display on the Legion Go S
While it’s been scaled down in both resolution and size, the display still offers decent visuals. The IPS panel supports up to 120 Hz, slightly lower than its predecessor’s 144 Hz but perfectly satisfactory for most uses.
While the brightness doesn’t surpass its competitors, especially the Steam Deck OLED, it remains ample for gaming. Whether racing in Forza or crashing around in Burnout Paradise, the visuals are clear, and colors pop, despite being a bit less vibrant than the more premium screens.
Battery Life on the Lenovo Legion Go S
Expectations for the battery are tempered, considering real-world scenarios will see fluctuating use time based on settings and profiles. My tests showed it lasted about an hour and 42 minutes on a benchmark test, less than its predecessor. In gaming, it comfortably went for around two hours before needing a recharge.
Audio on the Lenovo Legion Go S
The audio performance on the Legion Go S is adequate, delivering clear sound for both in-game effects and music. While racing games sounded good with clarity in engine roars and crashes, it’s best paired with headphones for full immersion.
Upgradeability of the Legion Go S
Getting inside this device for upgrades is possible with a little effort. The Legion Go S allows access to its M.2 slot which can fit larger SSD options, providing significant flexibility for storage upgrades.
Heat on the Lenovo Legion Go S
Even during intense gaming sessions, the Legion Go S runs relatively cool, exhausting heat efficiently through a fan-cooled system. These fans are audible but don’t typically distract from the gaming experience.
Lenovo Legion Go S Configurations
The current configuration is priced at $729.99. There’s a more budget-friendly model expected, but it’ll come with lower specs and run on SteamOS, aimed at savings rather than performance.
Bottom Line
The Legion Go S faces stiff competition, particularly in its current form and price point. Although it’s competitive on battery power, in peak performance mode, it lags behind its predecessor. With design trade-offs and lesser display quality, some might find it a less versatile option. Yet, if priced closer to $600 or in the anticipated $499 configuration, it could have its appeal.
