Lenovo Breaks New Ground with SteamOS-Powered Handheld Gaming PC
In a groundbreaking move, Lenovo is set to become the first company outside of Valve to ship a handheld gaming PC running SteamOS. The Lenovo Legion Go S, slated for release in May, will directly compete with the Steam Deck at a competitive price point of $499.
The Legion Go S boasts a lighter, more traditional design with an ergonomic grip, setting it apart from its competitors. Key features include a 120Hz variable refresh rate screen for smooth gameplay and a Lenovo-exclusive AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip. The device also incorporates configurable RGB lighting, a larger 55Wh battery, and improved trigger levers, while retaining dual USB 4 ports and featuring a less obtrusive touchpad.
Lenovo plans to release both SteamOS and Windows versions of the Legion Go S. The Windows model, shipping earlier in January, will be priced at $729.99 with higher specifications. The company is actively collaborating with Valve to integrate SteamOS features, including touchpad functionality and RGB lighting control.
In terms of market positioning, the Legion Go S aims to compete with the Steam Deck and other handheld gaming PCs. The AMD Z2 Go chip targets higher power levels, potentially offering increased performance at the cost of battery life. Lenovo is targeting a 20 to 40-watt performance range, which may impact battery longevity during demanding gaming sessions.
Valve’s partnership with Lenovo marks a significant step in the expansion of SteamOS beyond Valve’s hardware. While currently exclusive to Lenovo, there’s potential for SteamOS beta to support other handhelds in the future. Lenovo views this collaboration as an experiment, closely monitoring feedback and market momentum.
Looking ahead, Lenovo has plans for a larger Legion Go 2 model featuring detachable controllers and an OLED screen. However, this larger version is currently slated to run Windows, with no immediate plans for SteamOS integration. Meanwhile, Valve continues to express interest in developing future iterations of its Steam Deck.
As the handheld gaming PC market evolves, Lenovo’s entry with a SteamOS device signals a new chapter in portable gaming, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape and offering consumers more diverse options.
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