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I retested Lenovo’s PC handheld but with SteamOS – the difference was night and day

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Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS)

Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source. However, this one is special because it doesn’t run Windows 11 — it runs SteamOS. That single change in the operating system elevates the Legion Go S from a “just okay” gaming handheld to a great one — rivaling the Steam Deck is a lightweight operating system originally exclusive to the Steam Deck. It delivers a user-friendly interface that isn’t bloated with unwanted apps, and more importantly, it’s designed specifically for gaming. 

It’s this streamlined OS is a big reason why the Steam Deck has been so popular — it’s no fuss, no muss. Back in January Lenovo Legion Go S

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

Gaming on the go

Your gaming experience on the Legion Go S depends on the titles you play. As cool as this handheld may be, it is still just a handheld, not some ultra-powerful desktop. Underneath the hood is an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, an AMD Radeon GPU, and 16GB of RAM. This configuration is much happier tackling lightweight games like “Hades” or “Stardew Valley”. Titles like those run at a consistently smooth 120Hz. It’s like art.

AAA games like Monster Hunter Wilds have a harder time running on the Legion Go S. Graphics are blurry, and performance slows down when there’s a lot on screen. That sounds like a knock against the device, but the Steam Deck also struggles with the same. It’s the nature of the tech, and the fact that it can even run these titles at all is commendable in its own right.

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Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET

Battery life isn’t great. While “Monster Hunter”, the Legion Go S ran for about an hour and 15 minutes before I had to grab the charger. However, on lighter games like “Hades 2”, that time went up to two hours.

Lenovo Legion Go S vs Steam Deck 

With the release of the SteamOS Legion Go S, I consider the previous Windows model obsolete. This version is the only one you should care about, and it serves as a great alternative to the OLED Steam Deck. Now the question is, what should you get: the Legion Go S or the Steam Deck? 

is on sale for $600 at Best Buy right now, which is a competitive price. I had a blast with this product, and it’s a device I would absolutely get for myself, especially on sale. However, if you value more vibrant colors and bigger trackpads, get the Steam Deck

Source : ZDNet

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