Review of the Lenovo Legion Go S: Searching for Substance

In recent years, the market for handheld gaming PCs has seen quite a surge, largely due to the debut of Valve’s Steam Deck. This innovation paved the way for contenders like the Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go. Capitalizing on AMD’s latest Z2 Go processor, Lenovo has introduced the Legion Go S — a model that stands apart from its predecessor with a fresh design approach.

At first glance, you’ll notice that Lenovo has distanced itself from mimicking Nintendo Switch’s feature of detachable controllers. The Legion Go S adopts an all-in-one design similar to Valve’s Steam Deck and the ROG Ally. Its display is slightly smaller at 8 inches, down from the previous 8.8 inches.

Despite the more compact build, the Legion Go S remains relatively hefty and robust. Though it lacks the detachable controllers, several aspects seem to take a step back compared to its older sibling; hence, it’s crucial to weigh these differences before making a purchase decision.

### Design and Comfort of the Lenovo Legion Go S

While both the Legion Go S and the original Legion Go share a common goal, their construction materials differ significantly. The original featured a blend of matte grey aluminum and plastic, whereas the Go S opts entirely for molded white plastic with black accents on its buttons and triggers. Although the use of plastic detracts from a premium feel, the device remains well-constructed.

The new design fosters comfort with its curvier build, providing a more ergonomic grip compared to the angular shape of the earlier Legion Go. Hours spent gaming reflected less hand and finger fatigue when using the Go S.

Interestingly, the Go S doesn’t include a built-in kickstand, which its predecessor used for convenient tabletop play with detachable controllers. Given the integrated controllers, Lenovo seems to have skipped the kickstand.

Another noticeable change is the display. The Go S’s screen is not only smaller but has also been downgraded in resolution from 2560 x 1600 to 1920 x 1200. In my opinion, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing since gaming at high resolutions like 2560 x 1600 on handheld devices can be impractical with graphics-intensive titles.

The Legion Go S measures 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.89 inches and weighs 1.61 pounds. For context, the Asus ROG Ally and Steam Deck are smaller and lighter.

The control scheme on the new device mirrors that of an Xbox controller, with ABXY buttons, offset joysticks, and multifunctional buttons around the chassis. The integration within the all-in-one design does simplify some aspects while trimming others like the kickstand.

### Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications

Under the hood, you’ll find the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go — a new addition to the processor lineup. However, it comes with certain performance concessions compared to the Z1 Extreme found in earlier models. With a focus on a refreshed architecture, this CPU features a 4-core, 8-thread arrangement with a turbo frequency of up to 4.3 GHz paired with a Radeon 680M GPU.

In terms of configuration, users can engage with various performance modes through the device’s settings, tailoring their gaming experience to their preference. Though, it’s worth noting that while on battery power, the Go S offers a slight performance uptick compared to being plugged in.

### Gaming and Graphics on the Lenovo Legion Go S

While testing titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Cyberpunk 2077, the Legion Go S demonstrated its strengths and limitations. Its performance while running on battery often surpasses the original Legion Go. However, when plugged in, the gap widens favorably towards its predecessor.

Other games like Forza Horizon 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 show a mixed bag in performance, with the Go S trailing behind in power despite maintaining an adequate frame rate in some less demanding titles.

### Windows 11 on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Running Windows 11, the Legion Go S offers a desktop-like experience albeit with certain quirks in UI scaling, primarily due to its pre-configured display scaling. Nevertheless, the touch interface works well, and though the touchpad provides an alternative navigation method, it’s not ideal for gaming.

Certain functions, like the on-screen keyboard, proved erratic, impacting usability. Small disappointments like these could be a sticking point for users requiring seamless interactions.

### Legion Space on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Legion Space is Lenovo’s dedicated app providing easy access to various system settings, game libraries, and performance tweaks. Integrated into the device, it’s a convenient way for users to manage their gaming rig without fumbling through menus.

### Display on the Legion Go S

Moving to the display, the downgrade in size and resolution is noticeable but not necessarily detrimental. Many games played better at the smaller resolution settings, and the display’s color output, despite not being top-tier, manages satisfactory performance in most settings.

### Battery Life on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Battery power is always a crucial factor in portable gaming. The Legion Go S fares relatively well, depending on settings and usage patterns. Adjusting power profiles offers a method to extend playtime, although users will need to balance resolution and visual fidelity with battery longevity.

### Audio on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Audio-wise, the speakers serve well for gaming, delivering immersive soundscapes in high-octane games like Forza. That said, I often found myself resorting to headphones for deeper immersion.

### Upgradeability of the Legion Go S

Access to the device’s internals is possible but requires cautious handling. Opening it provides room for storage upgrades via M2 slots, with the caveat of careful handling to avoid damaging fragile components.

### Heat on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Cooling is handled efficiently, with the device maintaining comfortable temperatures during extended sessions. The fans, while audible, easily fade into the background of active gameplay.

### Lenovo Legion Go S Configurations

Priced at approximately $729.99, the Legion Go S comes with a single configuration, although Lenovo hints at a more budget-friendly model with reduced specs set to launch soon.

### Bottom Line

Ultimately, the Legion Go S presents a decent update with some comparative drawbacks. Its blend of design choices makes it an alternative worth considering, albeit with reservations mainly dictated by its pricing. The prospect of a more affordable variant might make the decision more favorable. But for now, potential buyers might want to keep an eye on the evolving lineup before committing.