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No, you are not seeing double. That is the second assessment I’ve executed for Lenovo’s Legion Go S. Nonetheless, this one is particular as a result of it would not run Home windows 11 — it runs SteamOS. That single change within the working system elevates the Legion Go S from a “simply okay” gaming handheld to an amazing one — rivaling the Steam Deck itself.
Earlier than I break down the hand-held, I ought to clarify Steam OS to those that do not know, because the software program is on the heart of what makes this new mannequin so good.
SteamOS is a light-weight working system initially unique to the Steam Deck. It delivers a user-friendly interface that is not bloated with undesirable apps, and extra importantly, it is designed particularly for gaming.
It is this streamlined OS is an enormous motive why the Steam Deck has been so standard — it is no fuss, no muss. Again in January, Valve (the developer of Steam) introduced it might start licensing the working system to third-party corporations, with Lenovo being the primary (and on the time of this writing, solely) accomplice.
A well-recognized design
Design-wise, it is an identical to the sooner mannequin with the one discernable distinction being the colour. It’s now in Nebula purple as an alternative of Glacier White. The system itself is simply as snug in my palms and would not really feel cumbersome. Textured grips on the aspect cease slipping, hall-effect analog sticks keep accuracy and stop drifting, and the switches on the again have an effect on the journey distance for the rear triggers.
Nonetheless, the touchpad beneath the correct analog stick has misplaced its goal. Within the earlier mannequin, it was used to regulate the cursor for varied functions, like navigating an internet browser. However, this system would not assist any browser or apps for that matter — it is simply Steam.
The touchpad can be utilized in video games as one other button or to assist goal weapons, though performing the latter would not really feel nice. It is so small that it is tough to get exact actions. More often than not, I ended up aiming my character in a very completely different course after I meant to shoot the enemy in entrance of me.
Gaming on the go
Your gaming expertise on the Legion Go S depends upon the titles you play. As cool as this handheld could also be, it’s nonetheless only a handheld, not some ultra-powerful desktop. Beneath the hood is an AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor, an AMD Radeon GPU, and 16GB of RAM. This configuration is way happier tackling light-weight video games like “Hades” or “Stardew Valley”. Titles like these run at a persistently clean 120Hz. It is like artwork.
AAA video games like Monster Hunter Wilds have a tougher time operating on the Legion Go S. Graphics are blurry, and efficiency slows down when there’s quite a bit on display screen. That feels like a knock towards the system, however the Steam Deck additionally struggles with the identical. It is the character of the tech, and the truth that it may well even run these titles in any respect is commendable in its personal proper.
Fortunately, you possibly can tweak the {hardware}’s efficiency on the fly. Urgent the button on the higher proper nook of the display screen launches the settings menu. Then, simply click on the lightning bolt icon to open the Efficiency web page the place you possibly can tweak the sport’s efficiency to greatest fit your wants.
In case you do not wish to spend half an hour adjusting the settings like I did, you possibly can simply activate a title’s default profile. This function is my absolute favourite. It mechanically applies a recreation’s efficiency profile in line with what Steam has for it, taking all the guesswork out.
Battery life is not nice. Whereas “Monster Hunter”, the Legion Go S ran for about an hour and quarter-hour earlier than I needed to seize the charger. Nonetheless, on lighter video games like “Hades 2”, that point went as much as two hours.
Lenovo Legion Go S vs Steam Deck
With the discharge of the SteamOS Legion Go S, I contemplate the earlier Home windows mannequin out of date. This model is the one one it’s best to care about, and it serves as an amazing various to the OLED Steam Deck. Now the query is, what must you get: the Legion Go S or the Steam Deck?
It is shut, however I just like the Legion Go S extra due to its touchscreen. Lenovo’s system has an 8-inch LCD that runs at a 120Hz refresh fee, whereas Valve’s Steam Deck has a 7.4-inch OLED touchscreen that runs at 90Hz max. I worth larger refresh charges as a result of they guarantee smoother animations and quicker response instances, which may imply the distinction between profitable and dropping.
Alternatively, the Steam Deck’s OLED display screen does imply its coloration output is extra spectacular.
There are different deciding elements to think about. The Steam Deck’s OLED show delivers a extra vibrant coloration palette, and Valve’s system is lighter at 1.4 kilos, whereas the Legion Go S clocks in at 1.62 kilos. Additionally, the Steam Deck has considerably bigger touchpads beneath the Deck’s analog sticks, which make controlling first-person shooters simpler.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
Lenovo’s Legion Go S is on sale for $600 at Greatest Purchase proper now, which is a aggressive worth. I had a blast with this product, and it is a system I’d completely get for myself, particularly on sale. Nonetheless, when you worth extra vibrant colours and greater trackpads, get the Steam Deck, which retails for $549.
