Lenovo Legion Go S Review: Is It Missing the Mark?

Over the last few years, the handheld gaming PC market has seen quite a buzz, especially with the introduction of the Valve Steam Deck. Since then, exciting contenders like Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go have made their mark. Not to be left behind, Lenovo has joined the ranks with the new Legion Go S, powered by AMD’s Z2 Go processor crafted on Zen 3+ architecture. It’s a fresh take, marked by notable design changes.

Right off the bat, you’ll notice the Legion Go S ditches the Nintendo Switch-like detachable controllers. It opts for a sleek, all-in-one design akin to the ROG Ally and Steam Deck. Though slightly smaller, the display measures 8 inches, compared to its predecessor’s 8.8 inches.

Even without the detachable controller mechanisms, the Legion Go S still carries a certain heft and bulk. This might be a point of consideration if you’re thinking of making it your main handheld PC gaming buddy.

Design and Comfort of the Lenovo Legion Go S

Though they share a mission, there are clear distinctions between the Legion Go S and the earlier Legion Go. The original was a combination of matte grey aluminum and plastic, while the Legion Go S embraces an all-plastic exterior. Its white molded plastic casing is paired with black buttons and triggers. While this shift imparts a less premium feel, the device doesn’t skimp on quality or durability.

The upgraded curvier design enhances comfort compared to the angular build of the Legion Go. After long gaming sessions with both devices, the Legion Go S consistently left my hands and fingers feeling less strained.

Interestingly, the Legion Go S parts ways with another feature: the built-in kickstand. Previously, the stand facilitated use with detached controllers, mimicking the Nintendo Switch experience. But with integrated controllers now a staple, Lenovo decided a kickstand was no longer essential.

The display has seen changes too. Where the older model boasted an 8.8-inch 2560 x 1600 screen, the Legion Go S scales down to an 8-inch display, maxing out at a 1920 x 1200 resolution. Personally, I think these adjustments are reasonable. Gaming at the higher resolution with the Z1 Extreme, and especially the Z2 Go, can become impractical.

The Legion Go S dimensions sit at 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.89 inches, weighing 1.61 pounds. Comparatively, the Legion Go is marginally larger and heavier. For context, the Asus ROG Ally and original Steam Deck carry different proportions and weights, each with its own charm.

Primary controls on the Legion Go S mimic an Xbox layout, complete with ABXY buttons and offset joysticks. There’s a D-pad, a small touchpad, and programmable buttons for quick settings and menu access. Two additional buttons are conveniently located on the back, enhancing customization flexibility. It sports two USB 4 ports, a standard headphone jack, and both volume and power buttons situated on top, with a microSD reader down below.

Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications

Here’s a quick rundown of what makes the Lenovo Legion Go S tick:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen Z2 Go.
• Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon 680M.
• Memory: 32GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz.
• Storage: 1TB SSD.
• Display: 8-inch IPS touchscreen with a 120 Hz refresh rate.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3.
• Battery: 55.5 WHr.
• Operating System: Windows 11 Home.
• Price: $729.99.

Gaming and Graphics on the Lenovo Legion Go S

At the heart of the Legion Go S is the AMD Z2 Go processor, which marks a shift in performance compared to its predecessor, the Z1 Extreme. Under the hood, it carries four cores and eight threads, clocked at a 4.3 GHz turbo frequency, and pairs with a 12-core Radeon 680M GPU. It supports performance tuning through various modes.

In battery mode, the Legion Go S is roughly 10% faster than its forebear, albeit 20% slower when plugged in and set to a 40-watt power profile. Performance metrics reveal some interesting details when pitted against competitors. While commanding a slight lead on battery, the Legion Go S lags behind when plugged into direct power.

With benchmark tests like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Cyberpunk 2077, and Forza Horizon 5, the Legion Go S shows competitive performance but occasionally trails slightly behind its counterparts when plugged in. It maintains solid frame rates in lower resolutions, though it struggles at higher resolutions.

Windows 11 on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Windows 11 is pre-installed on the Legion Go S, with scaling set for optimal touchscreen interaction. However, navigating with the on-screen keyboard raises a few challenges. Glitches occasionally impact the ease of text entry.

Navigational ease is bolstered by a tiny touchpad, albeit not without quirks. Though useful, using the touchpad in-game can be a challenge as clicks occasionally shift the cursor unexpectedly. Vibration feedback is particularly persistent, but can be adjusted or disabled via the Lenovo Space app.

Legion Space on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Legion Space offers a unified hub to streamline settings, game launches, and controller customizations. With sections dedicated to accounts, stores, and libraries, it streamlines access to your installed games and preferred settings on the device.

The Settings tab encompasses core performance metrics like fan speed and temperature. Adjustments for display, sound, and controls are offered here, alongside quick access to frequently used power options via an overlay.

Display on the Legion Go S

Though smaller and lower-resolution than its predecessor, the Legion Go S’s 8-inch display still holds its own. For everyday gaming, its reduction in size and resolution went largely unnoticed, providing a sharper experience at 800p.

The IPS panel delivers a 120 Hz refresh rate, slightly lower than before, but still satisfactory. The colors and brightness prove adequate for gaming, extending enjoyable experiences such as racing games to even more immersive levels.

Battery Life on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Battery life on handheld gaming PCs can fluctuate based on a host of conditions and settings adjustments. The Legion Go S, through various profiles, balances performance with battery longevity, standing its ground versus its predecessor’s capabilities during testing.

Audio on the Lenovo Legion Go S

The Legion Go S speakers deliver satisfactory sound, especially praiseworthy during immersive gaming sessions requiring crisp audio cues. While perhaps not a primary choice for music, the audio holds its own with clarity and depth.

Upgradeability of the Legion Go S

Opening up the Legion Go S is straightforward, offering access to a swappable M.2 slot for SSD upgrades. This is notable for extending storage options beyond initial configurations.

Heat on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Fortunately, the Legion Go S operates within comfortable thermal limits, adeptly managing heat disbursement through redesigned airflow channels. Audible fans, though present, are manageable next to gameplay audio.

Lenovo Legion Go S Configurations

Priced at $729.99, the current edition includes an 8-inch display, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Lenovo hints at a more budget-friendly variant arriving next spring, priced at $499 equipped with SteamOS and reduced RAM and storage.

Bottom Line

It’s challenging to give a glowing recommendation to the Lenovo Legion Go S at its current price point, especially since its full potential is only slightly realized in comparison to its original iteration. Despite its comfort and slightly streamlined design, the price tag of $729 compared to the Legion Go at $749 gives pause. A lower price, closer to $600, could make it a more appealing choice. For now, keeping an eye on the impending $499 SteamOS configuration might be worthwhile.