Lenovo Poised to Enter SteamOS Handheld Market with Legion Go S
In a significant development for the handheld gaming industry, Lenovo appears to be on the verge of entering the SteamOS handheld market with its Legion Go S device. This move follows Valve’s recent support for the ROG Ally with Steam Deck OS and signals a growing trend in the industry.
Renowned leaker Evan Blass has revealed images of the Lenovo Legion Go S, showcasing both black and white variants. Notably, the black model features a Steam button, strongly suggesting it will run SteamOS. In contrast, the white model lacks this button, indicating a possible Windows version.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of consumer dissatisfaction with Windows on small screens, despite the current trend of Windows-based handhelds from manufacturers like Lenovo, Asus, and MSI. As a result, OEMs are increasingly exploring alternatives such as SteamOS.
Valve, the company behind Steam and SteamOS, has recently updated its branding guidelines for “Powered by SteamOS” hardware. This move, coupled with their collaboration with third-party manufacturers beyond Asus, suggests a strategic push to expand the SteamOS ecosystem. Industry insiders anticipate the unveiling of more SteamOS devices at CES 2025.
The current landscape draws parallels to Valve’s previous Steam Machines initiative, introduced at CES 2013. While that effort faced challenges with developer support and Linux game ports, the current iteration benefits from Proton, a compatibility layer that has significantly improved game compatibility on Linux.
Given the success of the Steam Deck and the advancements in Proton technology, there’s growing optimism about SteamOS’s potential in the handheld gaming market. This renewed push for SteamOS-powered devices appears more likely to succeed than past initiatives, potentially reshaping the handheld gaming landscape.
As the industry watches these developments unfold, the entry of major players like Lenovo into the SteamOS handheld market could mark a turning point in portable gaming technology.
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