The Lenovo Legion Go S: Steer Clear of the Z1 Extreme's Deception - Reasons Explained
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Gamers were pleasantly surprised when Lenovo showcased the Lenovo Legion Go S during CES in January, along with a highly anticipated sequel, the Legion Go 2. However, as we near their respective launch dates, there's a growing concern about their performance.
The Windows 11 edition of the Lenovo Legion Go S, which received 3 out of 5 stars in our review, houses the new AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip. Priced at $729.99, this entry-level chip seems somewhat out of sync with the chip's expected value, leaving users feeling a little underwhelmed.
However, Lenovo has another shot at redemption with the forthcoming SteamOS model of the Legion Go S, available for pre-order now. Unfortunately, with the SteamOS model being powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme—a two-year-old chip—Lenovo's latest handheld seems to be already behind the times.
As the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme becomes available in handheld gaming PCs later in 2025, one might question why hold onto the SteamOS-powered Legion Go S? Especially since rumors suggest we could see the Asus ROG Ally 2, equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, launching this summer.
SteamOS, being a lighter operating system than Windows 11, could potentially yield higher frame rates from demanding games, even on systems with the same chip. We previously talked about how SteamOS can draw more performance out of hardware, citing an article from Tom's Guide comparing the frame rate differences of an Asus ROG Ally X when switching from Windows 11 to SteamOS.
For example, Cyberpunk 2077, at Medium graphics settings, jumped from an average of 36 fps on Windows 11 to 42 fps on SteamOS. These same improvements were consistent across almost every game Tom's Guide tested, indicating that the Lenovo Legion Go S (powered by SteamOS with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme) will likely be the strongest handheld gaming PC to date.
However, it's worth noting that the Lenovo Legion Go S's release is only slated for May, which is just a few months before we may see handheld gaming PCs with the new Ryzen Z2 Extreme. A quick look at Asus's recent history might lead us to anticipate their next release this summer.
The Asus ROG Ally with Z1 Extreme debuted on June 13, 2023, while the Asus ROG Ally X launched on July 22, 2024. Considering this pattern, we might expect the Asus ROG Ally 2 (potentially just the regular Asus ROG Ally) to launch this summer. Of course, we cannot say this for certain, but there's a strong possibility that it'll be powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme.
In short, considering the imminent release of the new Ryzen Z2 Extreme handheld gaming PCs, it might not be the best idea to rush out and purchase the Lenovo Legion Go S—or any handheld gaming PCs at the moment. By waiting, we can ensure we're getting the best hardware possible to fuel our gaming needs.
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Don't buy a handheld gaming PC just yet
Our advice doesn't just apply to those eyeing the Lenovo Legion Go S, it's relevant to gamers considering any handheld gaming device, particularly those powered by Intel.
Second-generation, Core Ultra-powered gaming handhelds, like the MSI Claw 8 AI with its Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, have already surpassed Ryzen Z1 Extreme-powered competitors in our benchmarks. With the release of the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, we could expect this new chip to leapfrog its Core Ultra counterparts, leaving fans anxiously waiting to test its power. So, hold off on purchasing a handheld until you can get your hands on some next-gen hardware.
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- The upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S, set to launch later in May, might face stiff competition from the anticipated Asus ROG Ally 2, rumored to launch this summer.
- Despite an impressive SteamOS-powered version of the Legion Go S being available for pre-order now, its performance might be overshadowed by the upcoming handhelds armed with the new AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme.
- In tech reviews, the Lenovo Legion Go S's Windows 11 edition received a modest 3 out of 5 stars, raising concerns about its price and performance.
- The Lenovo Legion Go S, powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, could potentially outshine other handheld gaming PCs in terms of performance due to SteamOS's ability to draw more performance out of hardware.
- Handheld gaming PCs like the MSI Claw 8 AI equipped with Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip have already surpassed Ryzen Z1 Extreme-powered competitors in benchmarks, suggesting that the new Ryzen Z2 Extreme could outperform its Core Ultra counterparts.
- The ever-evolving world of gaming is abuzz with anticipation for the latest handheld gaming PCs, with the upcoming release of the new Ryzen Z2 Extreme causing a stir in the industry.
- Technology enthusiasts can stay ahead of the curve by subscribing to The Snapshot, a free newsletter covering the inside scoop on the future of gaming.
