During Best Buy's 4th of July Sale, both Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS handheld gaming PCs are discounted for the first time. The high-performance Lenovo Legion Go S AMD Z1 Extreme SteamOS model is now $779.99, down from $830, while the Legion Go S AMD Ryzen Z2 Go SteamOS model is $549.99, reduced from $600. The Z1 Extreme edition is highly recommended as the top gaming handheld PC of 2025. Launched in February 2025, the Windows version preceded the SteamOS edition, which debuted in May. This marks the first SteamOS handheld not produced by Valve.
Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS Handheld Gaming PC
Lenovo Legion Go S 8" 120Hz AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme SteamOS Gaming Handheld PC (32GB/1TB)
1$829.99 save 6%$779.99 at Best BuyLenovo Legion Go S 8" 120Hz AMD Ryzen Z2 Go SteamOS Gaming Handheld PC (16GB/512GB)
1$599.99 save 8%$549.99 at Best BuyFor an extra $230, the $780 Z1 Extreme model is the better choice. Its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor outperforms the Ryzen Z2 Go, which we found underwhelming, and offers double the RAM and storage. It also surpasses the Steam Deck in power, running the same SteamOS for superior game performance. The 8" 120Hz display delivers smoother visuals, while battery life matches the Steam Deck, with faster charging capabilities.
From the Lenovo Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme, SteamOS) Review by Jaqueline Thomas
The Lenovo Legion Go S comes in two variants: one with the Z2 Go and another with the Z1 Extreme. Despite the naming, the Z1 Extreme uses newer, more powerful AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3 GPU, compared to the Z2 Go’s Zen 3 and RDNA 2. The Z1 Extreme model outshines the Steam Deck, despite sharing SteamOS, with 32GB of LPDDR5X memory at 6,400MHz. It reserves 10GB for the GPU, compared to the Steam Deck’s 6GB, enabling demanding titles like Monster Hunter Wilds to run smoothly, unlike on the Steam Deck.
SteamOS Outshines Windows in Legion Go S
A third Legion Go S model, running Windows 11 with specs matching the high-end SteamOS variant, is also on sale. The SteamOS version offers a more intuitive interface and better performance for controller-based gaming, unlike Windows 11, which is less optimized for handheld gaming.
From the Lenovo Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme, SteamOS) Review by Jaqueline Thomas
SteamOS is designed for controller-based gaming, launching directly into Steam’s Big Picture Mode for seamless play after logging in. In contrast, the Windows version of the Go S opens to the Legion Space app, requiring additional setup to access Steam or other game stores. While manageable for experienced users, this process can be cumbersome for many, especially on a touch screen.
For this deal, consider adding a portable power bank for long trips and a Micro SD card for extra storage. Our comparison of the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, while not covering the Legion Go S, highlights key differences between SteamOS and Windows-based handhelds.
