SteamOS Is Officially Launching on a System That\'s Not By Valve

Lenovo's Legion Go S: The First Third-Party SteamOS Handheld

Lenovo has unveiled the Legion Go S, a significant handheld gaming PC marking the first third-party device to ship with Valve's SteamOS. This expands SteamOS beyond its original home on the Steam Deck.

The Legion Go S, launching in May 2025 for $499, offers a compelling alternative to Windows-based handhelds. Unlike competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+, which utilize Windows, the Legion Go S leverages SteamOS's smoother, console-like experience optimized for portable gaming. This has been a key advantage for the Steam Deck.

While initially leaked, Lenovo officially confirmed the SteamOS variant at CES 2025 alongside the Legion Go 2. The Legion Go S boasts a lighter, more compact design than its predecessor while maintaining comparable power. It's available in a single 16GB RAM/512GB storage configuration.

Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications:

SteamOS Version:

• Operating System: Valve's SteamOS
• Launch Date: May 2025
• Price: $499 (16GB RAM / 512GB storage)

Windows Version:

• Operating System: Windows 11
• Launch Date: January 2025
• Price: $599 (16GB RAM / 1TB storage), $729 (32GB RAM / 1TB storage)

Valve assures full feature parity between the SteamOS Legion Go S and the Steam Deck, including identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). A Windows 11 version is also available, offering more storage options at a higher price point. Currently, there are no plans for a SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2, though this may change depending on the Legion Go S's success.

Lenovo's partnership with Valve is currently exclusive, but Valve promises a public SteamOS beta for other handhelds in the coming months, opening the door for wider adoption.