Earlier today, Evan Blass revealed an unannounced Lenovo Legion Go S handheld gaming PC with a fascinating twist: a Steam button, which suggests it could be the first third-party SteamOS handheld and thus the first true competitor to the Steam Deck.
The Unlikely Rival: Lenovo Legion Go S
But that’s not all; Blass just provided The Verge with images of a new, larger Lenovo Legion Go as well. This Legion Go plans to keep the detachable Joy-Con like gamepads and kickstand that were the single most distinctive features of the original – and they’ll keep the ‘FPS mode’ where you can plop one of those controllers on a disc-shaped skate and use it like a vertical mouse.
The Improved Features
One model may also swap out the Legion Go’s 8.8-inch IPS LCD screen for one with an OLED panel at the same size, according to the original filenames of these images. This upgrade should bring improved colors and deeper blacks, as well as potentially improved response times.
However, we don’t have any specs or marketing claims yet, like the all-important battery life size. Nor have we gotten a glimpse of the ports on this system. There is an AMD Z2 Extreme chip coming that could likely be the core of this handheld, but we don’t yet know.
A Closer Look at the Design
In my review of the original Legion Go, I was mixed on the detachable controllers with their sharp-ish edges and loads of extra mouse buttons that made them awkward to hold. These new ones seem to be far more smoothly sculpted, though, with revised mouse buttons on the right detachable pad, and a cover you can place over the mounting rail so the copper charging pins don’t poke your palm.
The Steam Button: A Game-Changer?
The images we’ve seen do not feature a Steam button, so it’s quite likely Lenovo is still hedging its bets with Windows in addition to SteamOS. However, we are much more confident in our prediction that the smaller Lenovo Legion Go S will be a SteamOS handheld.
Blass showed me filenames that suggest the S will be ‘powered by’ Steam, mirroring Valve’s new branding guidelines for ‘Powered by SteamOS’ devices. According to Valve, ‘Powered by SteamOS’ refers to hardware running the SteamOS operating system, implemented in close collaboration with Valve.
A Partnership between Lenovo and Valve?
We’ve reached out to Valve and Lenovo to hopefully learn more about this potential partnership. If true, it would be a significant development in the gaming industry, marking the first time that a third-party manufacturer has created a handheld device running SteamOS.
The implications are far-reaching: if successful, Lenovo’s Legion Go S could become a serious competitor to the Steam Deck, offering gamers an alternative option for on-the-go gaming. With its improved features and potential partnership with Valve, this handheld device is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with in the gaming industry.
The Future of Handheld Gaming: A New Era?
As we wait for more information about Lenovo’s Legion Go S and its potential SteamOS capabilities, one thing is clear: the future of handheld gaming is looking brighter than ever. With the rise of cloud gaming and improved hardware capabilities, gamers can expect even more exciting experiences on-the-go.
The question now is whether Lenovo’s Legion Go S will be able to live up to the hype and become a true competitor to the Steam Deck. One thing is certain: this handheld device has the potential to shake up the gaming industry in ways we never thought possible.
A Sneak Peek into the Future of Gaming
While we wait for more information about Lenovo’s Legion Go S, let’s take a closer look at what makes it so exciting:
- Improved hardware: With an AMD Z2 Extreme chip and potential OLED screen upgrades, this handheld device is shaping up to be a powerhouse.
- SteamOS capabilities: If true, the partnership between Lenovo and Valve could revolutionize the way we experience gaming on-the-go.
- Increased competition: The arrival of Lenovo’s Legion Go S as a SteamOS handheld could signal a new era in handheld gaming, with more manufacturers entering the market to compete with Valve.
The Verdict: A Game-Changer or Just Another Handheld Device?
Only time will tell if Lenovo’s Legion Go S will be able to live up to its potential and become a true game-changer in the industry. One thing is certain, though: this handheld device has generated significant buzz and excitement among gamers.
As we wait for more information about this exciting new development, one question remains on everyone’s mind: what does the future hold for handheld gaming?