The Lenovo Legion Go S: A Handheld PC Review
Handheld gaming PCs have surged in popularity, largely thanks to the Steam Deck. Lenovo's Legion Go S aims to compete, offering a design closer to the Steam Deck than its predecessor. Unlike the original Legion Go, the Go S boasts a unibody design, ditching removable controllers and extraneous buttons. A SteamOS version is slated for later this year, a first for non-Valve handhelds, but this review focuses on the Windows 11 model. However, at $729, the Legion Go S struggles against competitors in its price range.
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 improves usability. Rounded edges enhance comfort during extended gaming sessions, somewhat offsetting its 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 is a standout feature, boasting 500 nits of brightness and delivering vibrant visuals. It's arguably one of the best handheld gaming PC displays, rivaled only by the Steam Deck OLED. The device comes in Glacier White and Nebula Nocturne (purple), the latter exclusive to the SteamOS version. RGB lighting rings around the joysticks are customizable.
Button placement is more intuitive than the original Legion Go, though the placement of Lenovo's menu buttons above the standard 'Start' and 'Select' buttons initially proves awkward. However, these Lenovo buttons provide useful quick access menus for adjusting settings and launching system tools.
The touchpad, while smaller than the original, remains functional, though navigating Windows is less seamless. The LegionSpace software offers system management tools, including driver updates and game library integration. Programmable rear paddle buttons offer improved tactile feedback compared to the original. Adjustable triggers offer only two settings: full and minimal travel. Dual USB 4 ports (one ideally positioned on the bottom for better cable management) and a centrally located microSD card slot complete the I/O.
Purchasing Guide
The reviewed Lenovo Legion Go S ($729.99) features a Z2 Go APU, 32GB LPDDR5 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. A more affordable 16GB RAM/512GB SSD model will be available in May for $599.99.
Lenovo Legion Go S – Performance and Benchmarks
The AMD Z2 Go APU, while new, doesn't deliver groundbreaking performance. Its Zen 3 CPU (4 cores/8 threads) and RDNA 2 GPU (12 cores) are older technologies. Benchmark results reveal performance lags behind the Legion Go and Asus ROG Ally X. Despite a larger 55Whr battery, battery life is slightly shorter than the original Legion Go (4 hours 29 minutes vs 4 hours 53 minutes).
3DMark benchmarks show significant performance differences. The Legion Go S scores lower in Time Spy and Fire Strike than both the Legion Go and ROG Ally X. Gaming performance is more competitive, though still showing limitations. Frame rates are playable at 800p with medium settings for most AAA titles, but higher settings cause significant frame rate drops. Horizon Forbidden West, for example, proved particularly challenging. Less demanding games like Persona 5 run smoothly.
Value Proposition
The $729 price point for the 32GB RAM/1TB SSD configuration is higher than the original Legion Go, despite the weaker APU and lower resolution display. The excessive RAM is largely unnecessary for the Z2 Go APU's capabilities. The May release of the $599 16GB RAM model offers significantly better value. The BIOS configuration option for increasing frame buffer memory, while improving performance, adds unnecessary complexity for most users.
Conclusion
The Lenovo Legion Go S is a capable handheld gaming PC, particularly with the lower-priced configuration. The high-end model's excessive RAM and higher price make it less competitive. Its strengths lie in its comfortable design, excellent display, and improved usability over its predecessor. However, potential buyers should carefully consider the performance limitations of the Z2 Go APU and choose the configuration that best suits their needs and budget.
