Lenovo Legion Go S Review

The Lenovo Legion Go S: A Handheld PC Review

Handheld gaming PCs have surged in popularity, largely due to the Steam Deck's success. Manufacturers like Lenovo are entering the market with their own takes, 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. A SteamOS version is slated for 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 competitors, the $729 Lenovo Legion Go S falls short.

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, boasting 500 nits of brightness, is a standout feature. Game visuals are stunning, showcasing vibrant colors. It rivals the best handheld displays, second only to the Steam Deck's OLED.

The design borrows elements from other handhelds, but remains visually appealing. It's available in Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne (purple, exclusive to the SteamOS version). RGB lighting rings around the joysticks are highly customizable.

Button placement is more intuitive than the original. However, the placement of Lenovo's menu buttons above the standard 'Start' and 'Select' buttons can cause initial confusion. These menu buttons offer convenient access to system controls and shortcuts.

The touchpad is smaller than the original, making Windows navigation slightly more challenging. The absence of a mouse wheel, a feature of the original Legion Go, is noticeable. SteamOS's controller-centric design will alleviate this issue in the upcoming version.

The left-side button accesses LegionSpace software for system management, driver updates, and game library organization. Rear programmable paddle buttons offer improved click feel and resistance. Adjustable triggers offer only two settings: full and minimal travel.

The top houses two USB 4 ports (charging and peripherals), while the bottom features a centrally located microSD card slot, which is less ideal for docked use.

Purchasing Guide

The reviewed Lenovo Legion Go S ($729.99) includes a Z2 Go APU, 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. A more affordable 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model will launch in May for $599.99.

Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance Benchmarks

The AMD Z2 Go APU (Zen 3 processor, 4 cores/8 threads, RDNA 2 GPU with 12 cores) is the device's core. Performance benchmarks reveal that it doesn't lead the pack. Compared to the Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally X, the Legion Go S lags behind, particularly in 3DMark tests.

The 55Whr battery provides approximately 4 hours and 29 minutes of use in PCMark10 testing, less than the original Legion Go.

Gaming performance is mixed. While slightly faster than the original Legion Go in some titles, it shows a noticeable performance drop in others, especially at higher settings and resolutions. Games like Horizon Forbidden West prove challenging even at low settings.

The Legion Go S excels in less demanding games, delivering smooth frame rates.

Pricing and Value

The $729 price tag for the 32GB RAM model is higher than the original Legion Go, despite using a weaker APU. The excessive RAM is largely unnecessary for the Z2 Go's capabilities. The May release of a 16GB RAM model at $599 significantly improves its value proposition.

The 32GB RAM version is overpriced; the 16GB version offers much better value. The excessive RAM isn't utilized effectively by the weaker APU. BIOS adjustments to allocate more memory to the frame buffer can improve performance, but this shouldn't be a user-necessary step.

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Conclusion

The Lenovo Legion Go S, while possessing a beautiful display and comfortable design, suffers from performance limitations due to its APU. The higher-priced 32GB RAM model is not recommended. The 16GB RAM version, however, presents a much more compelling value proposition.