The Lenovo Legion Go S, once a highly anticipated entrant in the gaming handheld market, unfortunately falls short of expectations. Priced at $599.99 at Best Buy, it’s currently available with a $130 discount for the version packing a Ryzen Z2 Go chipset, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. While this price drop makes it more attractive, I believe the regular Lenovo Legion Go S remains a better choice for most users, priced at $649.99, as we wait for the SteamOS models to hit the shelves.
When assessing whether this is a good deal, it’s a tough call. Lenovo has a strong reputation in the PC gaming hardware arena, often delivering reliable products. The Legion Go S sports a sleek design and a stunning display that emphasizes Lenovo’s dedication to quality within this category. But where it falters is performance. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chipset doesn’t measure up to other Windows handheld gaming devices, especially when considering the cost.
Though I’ve previously advised waiting for the arrival of the SteamOS version, this latest price cut does make the current offer tempting. However, the slightly higher price for the more powerful standard model still seems like the better option.
Looking ahead, Lenovo plans to introduce new configurations for the Legion Go S. One upcoming model, expected to sell for $829.99, will feature the potent Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip found in top-tier gaming handhelds. More excitingly, the much-anticipated SteamOS version is also on the horizon, ready to compete directly with the Steam Deck. Offering a larger screen and more muscle at a starting price of $549.99, it is bound to attract attention.
For those wanting the best of both worlds, a SteamOS variant with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme will be available for $749.99. Although I had hoped for slightly lower price points, each of these new models promises better value than the current iteration.
These models are slated for release around May 25, 2025, so if you’re eager for a handheld gaming device now, I’d suggest going for the regular Lenovo Legion Go.
