Sure thing! Here’s the rewritten article:
Alright, so let me just kick this off by saying I’m not exactly a Linux guru. I started out messing with IBM PC-DOS when I was a kid, moved on to Windows 3.11, and basically just hung out there, taking the Windows train all the way up to, well, everything but Windows ME — that was a circus, right? Oh, and I’ve been on the Mac side of things too since 2009. Leopard! Good times.
So here’s the weird part. Lately, I’ve found myself borrowing a Legion Go S from Lenovo. Yep, it’s a handheld gaming PC, and guess what? I caught myself wondering, “Hey, what about Linux?” Out of the blue, really. I figured, why not? Let’s see if I can pull off using Linux to work on my review of the Asus ROG Strix G16. Spoiler: chaos ensued.
Diving into Linux world as a newbie was like landing in an alien planet. Let’s see if I can make sense of this mess, right?
Jumping into KDE Plasma on the Legion Go S
So this thing boots into SteamOS by default. Gaming galore! But if you want to, you can switch over to KDE Plasma. Here’s how: Hold that power button for a few seconds — like magic, a menu appears! Choose KDE and hop into desktop mode. Easy, huh?
Now, I had plans. Plans like web browsing, typing out my thoughts, maybe edit some photos, and deal with file management through USB drives. Small hiccup, though. Only has two USB-C ports. Oh boy, that got interesting. But let’s not skip ahead.
I’ll admit, using KDE Plasma without a mouse or keyboard is possible. Sort of. Imagine doing web stuff or watching cat videos — you’re good. But typing? Nah. So I grabbed my trusty Logitech wireless set. It’s nothing special; picked it up at Target for a bargain. But aha! The receiver was USB-A. Two USB-C ports, remember? Found an adapter in a mystery drawer, popped it in, and bam! We’re cooking.
First impression: KDE Plasma doesn’t feel that different from Windows. It has this dock, and the quick settings are right there, bottom-right. I felt… logical. Maybe too logical, but hey, it worked.
Into the App Zone
Internet was up since I set that up during SteamOS setup. My mission was installing a web browser. Most folks are all about Chrome, but guess what? I’m an Edge enthusiast. Shhh, don’t judge. All my stuff’s synced there, so I searched for it. Eight minutes later, Edge was up. In eternity terms, that’s forever, especially when you think about my T-Mobile Internet speeds.
Once Edge finally landed, logging in with Microsoft Authenticator was a breeze. Bookmarks? Check. Passwords? Double check.
Now about that screen. The Legion Go S wasn’t doing wonders for my middle-aged eyes. I needed backup—a decent portable monitor. Enter Espresso Displays 15 Pro. But, of course, the handheld couldn’t power it alone. Juggling USB-C connectors like a champ and voilà, I was soaking in KDE Plasma in glorious 4K.
Getting the Job Done
With all set, I jumped into Microsoft Word online and started typing up my G16 review. Hey, it was almost like using my MacBook or Windows PC—except with more wires.
I decided to test my FLIR C2 camera for thermal pics. Twist? Both USB-C ports were full. Unplugged the keyboard/mouse receiver, plugged in the FLIR. Success! Until… system crashed after I tried using the touchpad. Twice. Major sigh.
Back to tiny 8-inch screen, handling files like a circus performer. Unmounted the FLIR, plugged the monitor back. We’re back! But, yeah, learning moment about juggling devices.
Google Photos had my pics synced, so downloading to Legion Go S was a cinch. GIMP took over image duties. Pixelmator Pro remains my favorite, but we do what we must.
Tidying It All Up
For real, I didn’t expect much starting this side quest. Curiosity led me down this rabbit hole, trying Linux as a legit desktop environment. KDE Plasma was surprisingly friendly, minus the touchpad tantrums. Hooking up all my gadgets worked more seamlessly than expected.
Truthfully, using the Legion Go S as a handheld desktop was a chore. Those USB-C ports are handy but juggling act? Not my thing. If I do this more, I’m getting a USB-C dock, no question. Maybe Amazon’s got one cheap.
So yeah, the Legion Go S isn’t some powerhouse for productivity. But keep your expectations low, and it pulls through even if just barely.
Phew! I should go find some ice cream. Or a coffee. Or both. Where did I put those?
