The promise of portable PC gaming has been around for ages, but the Lenovo Legion Go S gets very close to nailing the assignment. If you’ve ever wished you could cram your gaming PC into a tiny bag without too much compromise, this might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Design: 4/5
The Legion Go S is compact, clean, but with reasonable heft at 730 grams, making it a travel-friendly gaming companion. Finished in Glacier White, it looks sleek without being too flashy. The ergonomic grips, front-firing speakers, and well-placed controls make it comfortable to use even during long gaming sessions. The layout will feel instantly familiar to gamers while maintaining a solid, premium feel that Lenovo’s Legion line is known for.
Hardware: 5/5
At the heart of the Legion Go S is AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 GO processor, built on Zen 4 architecture paired with RDNA 3 graphics and a 4nm process. This means smoother gameplay, lower heat, and improved battery efficiency. AAA games like Elden Ring and Fortnite run well, while the Windows 11 environment ensures full anti-cheat compatibility, something SteamOS still struggles with. The Go S can be configured with up to 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, providing fast, efficient multitasking, and the SSD is user-replaceable, which is a welcome feature in portable devices on the whole.
The Legion Go S packs an 8-inch WUXGA (1920×1200) 16:10 touch display, capable of a 120Hz refresh rate and hitting up to 500 nits of brightness with VRR support. It’s bright, crisp, and buttery smooth, whether you’re gaming, streaming, or just browsing the web. The touch interface is responsive, adding another layer of flexibility for both gaming and productivity.
User Experience: 4.5/5
One of the standout aspects of the Legion Go S is its versatility. Our model ran Steam OS out of the box, and I have to admit that I didn’t appreciate the streamlined, game-focused interface until I got my hands on this device. I’m honestly considering an install on my personal gaming handheld, and I apologize for all my previous Steam OS remarks.
Should you want something that’s a little more skewed towards productivity, the device fully supports Windows 11 as well, so a quick install of that and you’ll have a productivity machine that you can comfortably slip into a sling.
Thermal management is excellent, with air intake from the back and exhaust from the top, and users can toggle between performance modes in Legion Space: 40W for max power or Quiet Mode for longer sessions with less fan noise. Not that the fan was obnoxiously loud at full tilt. You can hear it, but it won’t interfere with game sounds or music.
Controls and ergonomics are excellent, with Hall effect joysticks to prevent stick drift over time, and adjustable triggers to customize the control feel depending on your game. These are small but significant details that elevate the gaming experience in a way other devices in the market haven’t managed yet.
The Legion Go S houses a 55.5Wh battery with Super Rapid Charge support, letting you juice up to 70 percent in just 30 minutes. Real-world use will, of course, depend on your performance mode and game, but the battery life holds up well, and your arms will almost certainly tire before your battery gives out.
Value: 4.5/5
Starting at PHP39,995, the Legion Go S is a reasonably powerful yet relatively affordable entry into handheld gaming. For that price, you get a device that can potentially replace a bulkier gaming laptop, offering flexibility for those who need both work and play on the go.
Bottomline:
If you want to take your gaming PC with you wherever you go while retaining the freedom to use it as a productivity device, the Lenovo Legion Go S is ready to be your next travel companion.
What’s Hot:
- Bright, smooth 8-inch 120Hz display
- GREAT performance on Steam OS
- Windows flexibility if needed Ergonomic design with Hall effect joysticks
- Rapid charging with a solid battery size
What’s Not:
- Slightly on the large, heavy side
- Battery life depends heavily on power mode and game, but is sufficient
Specifications:
- Display: 8-inch 1920×1200 WUXGA 120Hz, 500 nits, VRR, touch-enabled
- Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 GO (Zen 4, RDNA 3, 4nm)
- Memory: Up to 32GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: User-replaceable SSD (512GB)
- Battery: 55.5Wh with Super Rapid Charge
- OS: SteamOS
- Weight: 730g
- Ports: 2x USB4, 3.5mm audio, microSD support
- Extras: Legion Space, 3 months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Legion Ultimate Support
Reviewed by Ren Alcantara
Also published in GADGETS MAGAZINE Volume 26 No. 1 Issue.