Valve and Lenovo Unite: Revolutionizing Handheld Gaming with the Legion Go S and SteamOS

Introduction

In January 2025, Lenovo and Valve announced a groundbreaking collaboration to bring SteamOS, Valve's Linux-based operating system, to Lenovo's new gaming handheld, the Legion Go S. This partnership marks the first time SteamOS will be available on a third-party device, expanding its reach beyond Valve's own Steam Deck.

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The Lenovo Legion Go S: A New Contender in Handheld Gaming

Unveiled at CES 2025, the Lenovo Legion Go S is set to launch in May 2025, priced at $499. Designed to compete directly with Valve's Steam Deck, the Legion Go S offers several notable features:

Display

An 8-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) touchscreen with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, providing smooth visuals for a variety of games.

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Processor

Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip, exclusive to Lenovo, the device aims to deliver robust performance for portable gaming.

Design

The Legion Go S features a sculpted grip for enhanced comfort, RGB lighting around the joysticks, and improved triggers with adjustable throw levers. Notably, it removes the detachable gamepads and kickstand found in its predecessor, resulting in a lighter and more streamlined design.

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Battery

Equipped with a 55.5Wh battery, the device targets between two to 2.5 hours of battery life during demanding gameplay sessions.

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Valve's Strategic Expansion of SteamOS

Valve's collaboration with Lenovo signifies a strategic move to broaden the adoption of SteamOS in the handheld gaming market. By partnering with established hardware manufacturers, Valve aims to provide a consistent and optimized gaming experience across various devices. Pierre-Loup Griffais, a Steam Deck and SteamOS co-designer, emphasized that the same SteamOS image will be used across devices, ensuring uniform updates and optimizations. This initiative aligns with Valve's long-term goal of reducing dependency on Windows for PC gaming. By promoting a Linux-based operating system tailored for gaming, Valve seeks to offer an alternative that addresses some of the limitations associated with running Windows on handheld devices.

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Implications for the Handheld Gaming Market

The introduction of the Legion Go S with SteamOS has significant implications for the handheld gaming landscape:

Increased Competition

With Lenovo entering the SteamOS ecosystem, consumers have more options, potentially driving innovation and competitive pricing in the market.

Enhanced User Experience

SteamOS is optimized for handheld gaming, offering a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with Steam's vast library. This could address some of the challenges users face when using Windows-based handhelds, such as interface complexity and suboptimal performance.

Broader Adoption of SteamOS

Valve's partnership with Lenovo may encourage other manufacturers to consider SteamOS for their devices, leading to a more diverse ecosystem of gaming handhelds. Valve has indicated plans to release a beta version of SteamOS for other handheld devices after March 2025, further supporting this potential expansion.

Future Outlook

As the handheld gaming market continues to evolve, collaborations like that of Valve and Lenovo are poised to shape the future of portable gaming. By combining Lenovo's hardware expertise with Valve's software capabilities, the Legion Go S represents a significant step toward more versatile and accessible gaming experiences. The success of this partnership could pave the way for further innovations and collaborations, ultimately benefiting gamers seeking high-quality portable gaming solutions.