Lenovo Legion Go S: A Step Back in Performance for a Pricey Portable Gaming Experience

Lenovo has already revealed the second-generation model of its leading gaming handheld. However, that won’t be available until later this year, so in the meantime, they have introduced the Legion Go S, a more robust and portable option for gaming on the go. The interesting aspect of this device is that it will come in various configurations, including one pre-loaded with SteamOS — a first for a handheld PC other than those manufactured by Valve. Admittedly, that is the version we are most keen on. Nonetheless, the Windows 11 variant is currently available, making it a great opportunity to test it out and determine if it’s worth the investment or if you should wait for the model featuring Valve’s OS.

Design and display: A mid-cycle refinement

Lenovo

75100Expert Score

A more efficient version of the original Legion Go

Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows version)

The Legion Go S incorporates many of the strong points of its predecessor but packages them in a more compact and portable form. Nonetheless, the launch model is priced higher than the original Legion Go, while delivering inferior performance, a smaller display, and no detachable controllers, which makes it a challenging handheld to appreciate.

Pros

• Large 120Hz 8-inch display
• Convenient built-in touchpad
• Robust design with adjustable triggers
• Hall effect joysticks
• Dual USB ports

Cons

• No fingerprint scanner
• Unsatisfactory vibration motor
• Pricey considering the performance
• Legion Space app still has some issues

$730 at Best Buy

Regardless of the platform they are based on, both versions share the same aesthetic with the only distinction being that the Windows 11 model is white, while the SteamOS version is found in a dark purple hue. However, contrary to the original Legion Go, the Go S lacks detachable controllers. That said, most of the standout features from its predecessor remain intact. It boasts a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. At 8 inches, it is larger than the majority of handhelds, although it is a minor downgrade from the previous model’s 8.8-inch screen. You also benefit from joysticks equipped with precise Hall effect sensors, a mix of face and shoulder buttons, dual USB 4 ports (both of which provide power and data), a 3.5mm audio jack, and a microSD card slot.

Another minor adjustment is the reduction of back paddles from four to two, with Lenovo replacing the second pair with toggle switches that allow you to control the depth of the handheld’s triggers. This is a thoughtful addition for those who relish racing games, where added analog sensitivity is beneficial but also prefer the option of a shorter pull when engaging in fighting games, where longer triggers can be counterproductive. Although the touchpad on the Legion Go S is notably smaller than that of the original, I appreciate that Lenovo kept it, as it significantly eases navigation through settings and menus in Windows, compared to exclusively relying on joysticks or touch support.

One feature I wish Lenovo had incorporated is an integrated fingerprint sensor. Without it, accessing Windows 11 necessitates using a PIN or password. In a device without a physical keyboard, this means each time you pick up the unit, you must adjust your hands away from the joysticks and tap the center of the touchscreen, as the small touchpad does not support this function. Frankly, this process feels awkward and could have easily been avoided had Lenovo chosen to integrate a power button with a built-in fingerprint scanner, similar to several competitors including the ROG Ally X and the MSI Claw 8 AI+. Meanwhile, although the Go S includes a rumble motor, its vibrations are oddly simplistic, particularly when set to activate upon touchpad use. Consequently, I ended up disabling it completely.

Performance: Not as quick as expected

The Legion Go S will accommodate various processors and configurations over time, but at present, it is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip along with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. If you measure it against its predecessor, you might assume this model would yield superior performance. After all, the original Legion Go features less RAM and an earlier Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, and two cores are better than one, right? However, do not jump to conclusions, as the Z1 Extreme has a base clock speed of 3.3GHz with eight cores and 16 threads, whereas the Z2 Go has a base clock of 3GHz with only four cores and eight threads. Furthermore, the previous Z1 Extreme also boasts a GPU derived from AMD’s newer RDNA 3 architecture compared to RDNA 2 for the Z2 Go. Therefore, in reality, the Legion Go S with this chip is roughly 10 to 15 percent less capable than its predecessor.

This performance disparity becomes evident in benchmark tests, where the Legion Go S produced 45 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p with medium settings and FSR upscaling set to performance, while the original Legion Go managed 51 fps under the same conditions with both devices operating in 15-watt performance mode. Similarly, in Returnal, the Go S achieved 23 fps on medium graphics at 800p, whereas the older Legion Go reached 34 fps, again with both units configured in 15 watts.

Experiencing reduced performance on the new model might raise concerns for some users, but before jumping to conclusions, consider this: the Legion Go S is designed as a more accessible and streamlined version of the original, so in some ways, it isn’t surprising that it doesn’t match or exceed the same framerate. However, the more pressing issue is that the 32GB of RAM feels excessive for this chip, meaning you are essentially paying for memory that cannot be fully utilized. And keep in mind, while the initial configuration of the Go S features a Z2 Go, there are other anticipated versions that will include a Z1 Extreme and potentially a standard Z2 in the future.

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Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows 11 version)

Design images of the Lenovo Legion Go S (Windows 11 version).

Of course, if you desire higher framerates, you can always modify the power settings for the processor. Lenovo’s default balanced mode operates at 15 watts, while the performance setting increases it to 30. For even more control, the custom mode allows you to adjust from as low as 5 watts to as high as 40, but to fully utilize its thermal design power, being plugged in is advisable.

Battery life: Satisfactory

Naturally, the performance mode selected will ultimately affect your battery duration. I found that when playing Metal Slug Tactics in the 15-watt balanced setting, the Legion Go S lasted roughly two and a half hours, which is fairly impressive. However, with more demanding games, the battery life was noticeably shorter, closer to one and a half hours. Nevertheless, given that the Go S includes a 55.5WHr battery versus the 80WHr capacity in the ROG Ally X, this difference is somewhat expected.

Software: Improved but still cumbersome

Lenovo has made significant strides in enhancing the Legion Space app since its initial launch a couple of years ago. Not only has it evolved into a much more effective hub for launching games, but it is also simpler to modify settings or download the latest drivers and software updates. Even the user interface is more spacious and user-friendly. Nevertheless, the transition between Legion Space and Windows 11 remains somewhat clunky. Depending on what settings you wish to adjust, it often requires switching between menus from Lenovo’s app and Microsoft’s interface while alternating between joystick and touchpad for navigation. I also encountered bugs when attempting to install Steam via the Legion Space application, which consistently failed, forcing me to download the app directly from Valve and perform a manual installation. This is one area where Windows-based handhelds fall short, making it regrettable that we will have to wait several months for the SteamOS version set to launch in May.

Conclusion

The Legion Go S has all the attributes of a dependable portable gaming PC. It features a simple design with good ergonomics, Hall effect joysticks, and a practical button arrangement. Lenovo also offers several appealing aspects such as dual USB-C ports, a reasonably-sized battery, and a useful touchpad for navigating Windows. However, I wish it had a built-in fingerprint scanner as well. While its 8-inch OLED screen is slightly smaller than that of its predecessor, there is very little to disapprove of. It even provides more storage (1TB) compared to the base Legion Go (512GB).

The challenging part to accept is that currently a Legion Go S is priced at $730 while offering inferior performance, no detachable controllers, and lacking extras like a carrying case or vertical mouse functionality, which are available with the original Legion Go priced at $700. Normally, such a situation would be detrimental for a new system as this value proposition doesn’t hold up.

However, it’s important to note that Lenovo has not yet released all of its variants. I still believe that 32GB of RAM is excessive for this device; not even the ROG Ally X includes that much. More importantly, the various configurations for the Legion Go S are still pending release. So, even if you’re not waiting for the SteamOS variant, it would be wise to hold out for the more affordable versions that are expected to launch at lower price points, around $600 (or even $500 for the model with Valve’s OS), which would greatly enhance the appeal of this handheld.