Lenovo recently released a ferocious new Legion Go S, which is already generating interest among handheld gamers. Arriving preinstalled with SteamOS, running on the powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, and boasting a huge 32GB of RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive, this powerhouse is the kind of system you would expect in a dedicated gaming laptop, not a portable console.
This might be your answer if you have been waiting for a mobile gaming rig that doesn’t seem like a compromise. Lenovo is taking a daring move to spearhead handheld PC gaming with the Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme, SteamOS) rather than a little improvement.
Premium specs naturally come at a cost. It costs $829.99 and is now available exclusively from Best Buy. For those who appreciate superior performance and long-term value, though, this system deserves its cost.
Why this Configuration Makes a Difference
This separates apart which things. It all results from the Z1 Extreme processor—the same chip powering the first ASUS ROG Ally, a notable handheld from 2023. With its RDNA 3 graphics and Zen 4 cores from AMD, it provides a significant rise in GPU performance over prior solutions.
With 32GB of next-generation LPDDR5X RAM (twice what many others provide) and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, your handheld has quick load times, smooth multitasking, and significant emulation capabilities.
Most importantly, this is the first Legion Go S to have SteamOS and Z1 Extreme combined. That means quicker boots, less bloat, and better optimization for Steam than Windows-based handhelds.
Is It Worth Taking?
The bottom line is that if you don’t require Windows 11—such as for particular launchers or mods—the Legion Go S with SteamOS and Z1 Extreme is among the most amazing handheld PCs you can buy in 2025.
This is not only exaggeration; it is substantiated by our 9/10 hands-on study:
> “With SteamOS replacing Windows and the updated Z1 Extreme processor, Lenovo’s Legion Go S now feels like one of the toptier handhelds on offer.”
Any negatives? Well, there’s no touchpad, which could be a disadvantage if you enjoy games that rely on mouse-style input, such as CRPGs or RTS games. Most players, however—especially fans of shooters, platformers, or indie hits—will find the performance and design more than make up for it.
🔍 Keep an eye on the Model Name: This Has Significance
The Legion Go S line is still really new and the model names may get perplexing. Quick cheat sheet:
Original model: Windows 11 using a slower Z2 Go processor.
Midrefresh: SteamOS but still employs the Z2 Go
This one: The flagship version of SteamOS plus Z1 Extreme.
Real-world testing of the Z1 Extreme version reveals it to outperform the Steam Deck, notably in difficult contemporary games. On this system, titles such Star Wars Outlaws and Doom: The Dark Ages run smoother, appear better, and keep more consistent frame rates.
Hardware and Display: What You’re getting
Larger and sharper than the screen of the Steam Deck, the Legion Go S has an 8.8-inch QHD+ display with a 144Hz refresh rate. It also has adaptive refresh rates and tops at 500 nits of brightness, making it therefore actually practical outside or in well-lit rooms.
The hardware itself is excellent; it is somewhat heavier than the Steam Deck OLED but well-balanced. With removable controllers, it’s very adaptable for onthego Netflix or tabletop gaming. Making it simple to connect to a 4K monitor or television, it even supports DisplayPort 1.4 and USBC quick charging (PD 3.0).
💻 SteamOS in 2025: Still the Correct Choice?
Since its early days, SteamOS has changed significantly. Most of the Steam collection now functions perfectly thanks to Valve’s Proton layer. Moreover, you can use software such Lutris or Heroic to run nonSteam games.
Benefits of SteamOS against Windows:
faster beginning
Cleaner UI
no background bloatware
Native controller help
No surprise updates begin again.
SteamOS is also friendly toward power users. You can even dualboot, install emulators, or modify GPU performance. And Lenovo has promised continuous firmware support via OTA upgrades, which gives even more polish.
Should you wait for more modern hardware?
One waves of nextgen gadgets are sure on the horizon:
Xbox ROG Ally X could run a faster Z2 Extreme CPU.
Microsoft is developing an update for Windows with gaming in mind.
Ayn, GPD, and AOKZOE are anticipated shortly to release new Z2-based handhelds.
Those are still in development, though. Specifications may vary, and delays are always a possibility. Perhaps hold out if you are the kind of person who wants the most current gear the second it drops. Otherwise, this Lenovo model is right now real, prepared, and strong.
Features customized for the Ecosystem
Lenovo is also developing software, not just equipment. Performance profiles, resolution adjustment, and battery optimization features are included in a fresh UI level for SteamOS. It’s not quite on par with the Steam Deck yet, but it’s getting there.
What if you like to customize your setup? This gadget has complete unlocking. It all depends: Windows installation, Batocera trial, or multiple operating systems. Here no locked BIOS or firmware restrictions.
Final Take: Handheld SteamOS’s New Standard
Specs don’t lie. One of the best handhelds of 2025 is the Lenovo Legion Go S with its Z1 Extreme processor, 32GB of memory, 1TB of fast storage, and improved SteamOS experience.
Certainly not a budget purchase. But for $829, you’re acquiring a system you may throw in your backpack that truly can replace a gaming laptop.
This is more than just another handheld console. Years of repetition and criticism have produced this outcome; it is obvious.
✍️ TL;
Accessible only from Best Buy for $829.99.
Features: 32GB RAM, 1 TB SSD, SteamOS, and Z1 Extreme chip.
Better than the Steam Deck, especially for triple-A gaming
Ideal for bright situations, big QHD+ 144 Hz screen.
Hits all the other marks; no trackpads.
Open platform—support Windows, Linux, emulators, and more.
Best choice now for serious portable gamers who lack patience