Lenovo Legion Go S Review: Lacking Substance?

In recent years, the handheld gaming PC market has seen quite a buzz with Valve’s Steam Deck making waves. Since then, companies like Asus with the ROG Ally and Lenovo with the Legion Go have been entering the scene. With the release of AMD’s new Z2 Go processor, built on the Zen 3+ architecture, Lenovo has debuted the Legion Go S, opting for a fresh design that deviates from its predecessor.

One of the most noticeable changes in the Legion Go S is its departure from the Nintendo Switch-inspired detachable controller design. Instead, it adopts a more integrated look similar to the ROG Ally and Steam Deck. It also features a slightly smaller display, coming in at 8 inches compared to the former model’s 8.8 inches.

Despite shedding the detachable controllers, this new model is still relatively heavy and bulky. There are several changes, some might say setbacks, that should be considered before deciding if the Legion Go S is the right handheld PC for you.

Design and Comfort of the Lenovo Legion Go S

When you compare the Legion Go S to its predecessor, you’ll notice quite a few differences. The original Legion Go utilized a mix of matte grey aluminum and plastic, whereas the Legion Go S is fully encased in white molded plastic with black accents for the buttons and triggers. While the shift to more plastic gives it a less premium feel, it still retains a sturdy build.

The newer, curvier design offers a more comfortable grip compared to the angular shape of the Legion Go. Logging long hours playing games on both devices, I found that the Legion Go S was easier on my hands.

Interestingly, Lenovo has done away with the built-in kickstand. The original model’s kickstand was handy for propping up the system when using detached controllers similar to the Nintendo Switch. But, with controllers integrated now, Lenovo might have deemed it unnecessary.

The display on the Legion Go S has also taken a step back. Previously, the Legion Go boasted an 8.8-inch 2560 x 1600 display, which has now shrunk to an 8-inch screen with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1200. Personally, I find the reduction in size and resolution acceptable since gaming at 2560 x 1600 was quite challenging.

The dimensions and weight slightly differ: the Legion Go S measures about 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.89 inches and weighs 1.61 pounds, while the previous Legion Go was a tad heftier. Compared to the Asus ROG Ally, which is slightly more compact and lighter, the Legion Go S is more robust.

The layout of the Legion Go S’s controls mimics an Xbox controller—you’ll find the ABXY buttons and off-set joysticks, along with a D-pad and a small touchpad located conveniently. Additional programmable buttons offer customization on the top and back of the device. Moreover, it features two USB 4 ports, a headphone jack, and a microSD reader for expanded storage.

Lenovo Legion Go S Specifications

Here’s what lies beneath the case of the Legion Go S:

• CPU: AMD Ryzen Z2 Go, based on Zen 3 tech, with a quad-core setup clocking up to 4.3 GHz.
• Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon 680M, with 12 compute units.
• Memory: 32GB of LPDDR5X-6400MHz RAM.
• Storage: A spacious 1TB SSD.
• Display: A 120Hz, 8-inch touchscreen at 1920 x 1200 resolution.
• Networking: Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
• Battery: A 55.5 WHr battery pack.
• OS: Windows 11 Home pre-installed.
• Weight: A portable 1.61 pounds.
• Price: Tagged at $729.99 at launch.

Gaming and Graphics on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Under its hood, the Legion Go S features the new AMD Z2 Go processor. Surprisingly, this processor is a bit of a step back in terms of performance compared to its forerunner, the Z1 Extreme. With its four-core eight-thread setup, it offers a base clock speed of 3 GHz and a turbo of 4.3 GHz, which pales in comparison to the eight-core Zen 4 in the previous model. In terms of graphics, the Legion Go S sports an integrated Radeon 680M with fewer compute units than before.

When selecting performance profiles, the Legion Go S presents four options—Performance, Efficiency, and two customizable options. Running the device on the Performance profile and unplugged showed a slight improvement in speed over its predecessor, but when plugged in, it underperforms by around 10 to 20 percent compared to the Legion Go.

Specifically, games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Cyberpunk 2077 show the discrepancies in performance depending on whether the device is plugged in. While on battery power, the gaming experience is largely comparable to the original Legion Go and even the Steam Deck. However, when plugged in, the performance lag becomes more apparent.

For instance, with the game Forza Horizon 5, the Legion Go S performed decently at 800p on AC power, yet when put side by side with competitors like the ROG Ally, it fell short by a noticeable margin.

Windows 11 on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Shipping with Windows 11, the Legion Go S has its quirks. The default scaling of the display can make the taskbar quite bulky, which may work well with the touchscreen but might be a nuisance if multiple apps are open.

Performance-wise, using the Legion Go S can be tricky at times. Certain features, such as the on-screen keyboard, have their helter-skelter moments where they don’t work as expected while using applications like Steam. Additionally, the touchpad, though functional, doesn’t always hit the mark in gaming scenarios with its imprecise clicking.

Legion Space on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Lenovo’s Legion Space application conveniently ties all system settings into one space – like launching games, tweaking controller settings, and customizing performance profiles. It brings an efficient way to manage your device’s various features without too much of a hassle.

Display on the Legion Go S

The screen is slightly downsized and toned down in resolution from its predecessor, yet it remains impressive in displaying crisp images. It maintains an IPS touchscreen with a refresh rate capping at 120 Hz, offering a lively viewing experience for most games despite being marginally less vibrant than features found on the Steam Deck OLED.

Battery Life on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Battery performance will vary based on how you configure your settings. In general testing, the Legion Go S clocked in an hour and 42 minutes on the PCMark 10 Gaming suite benchmark. Playing games like Burnout Paradise Remastered outputs a slightly better runtime when using power-saving measures.

Audio on the Lenovo Legion Go S

Audio from the Legion Go S speakers is decent for gaming sessions, delivering satisfactory engine roars and sound effects for automotive games. Many users will still likely pair it with headphones for an immersive experience.

Upgradeability of the Legion Go S

Accessing the Legion Go S internals reveals a serviceable upgrade path for storage, allowing for various SSD options using the M.2 slot. Albeit a bit challenging, the option to replace or expand storage is an advantage for users willing to delve into its internals.

Heat on the Lenovo Legion Go S

The design effectively manages heat, ensuring the chassis remains relatively cool during extended gaming. The in-built fans are audible but not disruptive, creating a comfortable playing environment.

Lenovo Legion Go S Configurations

At launch, the Legion Go S is available at $729.99, featuring a specific configuration of RAM and storage. A more affordable version is expected down the line, which ditches Windows 11 for SteamOS, cutting costs but still proving to be a worthy future alternative.

Bottom Line

Currently, it’s challenging to wholly endorse the Lenovo Legion Go S. While it shows promise in some aspects, its performance lags behind when pushed to the limit, especially when compared to its predecessor. The fair difference in price might not justify opting for the Legion Go S unless future modifications drive its cost lower or more features become accessible. Waiting for the forthcoming, more affordable model could be a wiser choice for potential buyers.