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Database Digest June 2, 2025

This Might As Well Be the Steam Deck 2

The Lenovo Legion Go S just became the first handheld to ship with official SteamOS—no mods, no forks, just Valve's polished Steam Deck experience on more powerful hardware. Wit...

This might as well be the Steam Deck 2

This Might As Well Be the Steam Deck 2

The Lenovo Legion Go S just became the first handheld to ship with official SteamOS—no mods, no forks, just Valve’s polished Steam Deck experience on more powerful hardware. With a stunning 1200p screen and competitive pricing, this might be the handheld to beat. Here’s why it’s turning heads.

Key Takeaways

  • SteamOS, officially: This isn’t a mod—it’s the same OS that runs the Steam Deck, offering a seamless console-like experience.
  • Two chips, two choices: The Z1 Extreme (premium) and Z2 Go (budget) models deliver different performance tiers, but both shine with SteamOS.
  • Screen superiority: A 1200p display blows the Steam Deck’s 800p screen out of the water.
  • Surprising value: The $600 SteamOS model undercuts the Steam Deck OLED’s price while offering better hardware.
  • Early quirks: SteamOS is still new here—expect minor bugs like unresponsive RGB lights or mouse nubs.

The SteamOS Revolution

What Makes It Special?

For the first time, you can buy a non-Steam Deck device with Valve’s official OS. The Legion Go S uses the exact same recovery image as the Steam Deck, meaning updates and features roll out in lockstep. No more wrestling with Windows or third-party Linux distros like Bazite (RIP).

Installation: Easier Than You Think

Installing SteamOS is shockingly simple:

  • Disable Secure Boot in the BIOS.
  • Flash the SteamOS recovery image to a USB drive.
  • Boot and let it wipe your drive (goodbye, Windows).
That’s it. No partitions, no complicated commands—just plug-and-play simplicity.

Performance Showdown

SteamOS vs. Windows vs. Bazite

I ran benchmarks across three games to see how SteamOS stacks up:

  • Resident Evil 4:
- Z2 Go (SteamOS): 49 FPS

- Z1 Extreme (SteamOS): 58 FPS (a 20% jump!)

  • Marvel Rivals:
- Z1 Extreme hit 65 FPS, with minor dips during intense effects.
  • Cyberpunk 2077:
- Mixed results—SteamOS matched Windows, but YouTuber Dave2D reported higher FPS (59 vs. my 49).

Verdict: SteamOS delivers near-Windows performance with far less hassle.

The Hardware Advantage

Why the Legion Go S Stands Out

  • Screen: 1200p resolution makes games look crisper than the Steam Deck’s 800p panel.
  • RAM: The Windows version packs 32GB (vs. 16GB on SteamOS), but you can dual-boot for flexibility.
  • Price: The $600 SteamOS model is a steal compared to similarly specced Windows handhelds.

The Catch? Fan Noise

At full load, the Legion Go S sounds like a jet engine—far louder than the Steam Deck. If quiet operation matters, take note.

The Future of Handheld Gaming

SteamOS on third-party devices is still in its infancy, but the Legion Go S proves it’s viable. Bugs like unresponsive controls or inconsistent RGB lighting need ironing out, but the foundation is solid.

For now, here’s my advice:

  • Want plug-and-play? Grab the $600 SteamOS model.
  • Need Windows for Game Pass or anti-cheat games? Buy the Windows version and install SteamOS later.
Either way, the Legion Go S is a legitimate Steam Deck alternative—one that might just redefine the handheld landscape.

Meta Description: The Lenovo Legion Go S is the first handheld with official SteamOS support, offering a Steam Deck-like experience with a sharper 1200p screen and powerful AMD chips. Is it the ultimate portable PC?

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Meta Description: The Lenovo Legion Go S is the first handheld with official SteamOS support, offering a Steam Deck-like experience with a sharper 1200p screen and powerful AMD chips. Is it the ultimate portable PC?