Lenovo Legion Go S Review

The Lenovo Legion Go S: A Handheld Gaming PC Review

Handheld gaming PCs like the Lenovo Legion Go S have surged in popularity, largely due to the Steam Deck's success. Major PC manufacturers are now offering their own versions, and the Legion Go S aims for a closer comparison to the Steam Deck than its predecessor.

Unlike the original Legion Go, the Legion Go S boasts a unibody design, ditching the detachable controllers and numerous extra buttons. Significantly, a SteamOS version is slated for release later this year, making it the first non-Valve handheld to ship with this OS. However, this review focuses on the Windows 11 model. Compared to similarly priced Windows 11 handhelds, the $729 Lenovo Legion Go S faces stiff competition.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Image Gallery

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Lenovo Legion Go S – Design and Features

The Legion Go S resembles the Asus ROG Ally more than its predecessor. Its unibody design enhances usability. The rounded edges provide comfortable grip, mitigating the device's 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 for 500 nits, is stunning. Games look exceptional, showcasing vibrant colors. It rivals the best handheld displays, second only to the Steam Deck OLED.

Available in Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne (purple, exclusive to the SteamOS version), the Legion Go S features RGB lighting rings around the joysticks. These are easily customizable.

The button layout is more intuitive than the original. However, the placement of Lenovo's menu buttons above the standard 'Start' and 'Select' buttons initially causes some confusion. These menu buttons are useful, offering quick access to settings and shortcuts.

The touchpad, though significantly smaller than the original, remains functional, although navigating Windows is slightly less convenient.

The SteamOS version will address these navigation issues, given its controller-centric design. A dedicated button activates LegionSpace software for system management and game library access.

Programmable paddle buttons on the back offer improved tactile feedback. Adjustable triggers provide two settings: full and minimal travel. Two USB 4 ports are located on top, while the MicroSD card slot is unusually positioned on the bottom.

Purchasing Guide

The reviewed Lenovo Legion Go S (launched February 14th) costs $729.99, featuring a Z2 Go APU, 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. A more affordable $599.99 configuration (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) is releasing in May.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance Benchmarks

The AMD Z2 Go APU, while new, doesn't redefine performance. Its Zen 3 processor (4 cores, 8 threads) and RDNA 2 GPU (12 cores) are older technologies. The Legion Go S lags behind the Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally X in benchmarks.

The 55Whr battery provides 4 hours and 29 minutes of runtime in PCMark10, shorter than the original Legion Go.

3DMark Time Spy scores 2,179 points, significantly lower than the Legion Go (2,775) and ROG Ally X (3,346). Game performance is slightly better, but still shows limitations. High-demanding games require lower settings for playable frame rates. Horizon Forbidden West, for example, experienced noticeable stuttering even at low settings.

The Legion Go S excels in less demanding titles like Persona 5, maintaining high frame rates.

Pricing and Value

The $729 price tag is higher than the Legion Go's starting price of $699. The justification lies in the 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, exceeding even the ROG Ally X. However, this extra RAM is less beneficial with the weaker Z2 Go APU and slower 6,400MHz memory compared to the Legion Go's 7,500MHz.

Manually allocating more memory to the frame buffer in the BIOS improves performance, but this is a cumbersome workaround. The May release of a $599 configuration (16GB RAM) significantly improves the value proposition.

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Conclusion: The Lenovo Legion Go S's high-end configuration is overpriced. The upcoming 16GB RAM model offers much better value. While capable of running AAA titles, expect to lower settings for optimal performance.