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 groundbreaking handheld gaming PC, marking the first third-party device to ship with Valve's SteamOS. This collaboration 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 optimized Linux-based system for a smoother, console-like experience. This has been a key advantage for the Steam Deck, and now extends to a wider audience.

Initially rumored, the Legion Go S's SteamOS version was officially confirmed at CES 2025. Lenovo also announced the Legion Go 2, a higher-end model, but only the Legion Go S will initially offer the SteamOS option. The Legion Go S will be available in a single configuration: 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. A Windows 11 version is also available, launching in January 2025, with options of 16GB RAM/1TB storage ($599) and 32GB RAM/1TB storage ($729).

Valve assures full feature parity between the Steam Deck and the Legion Go S, ensuring identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). The company also announced a public SteamOS beta for other handheld devices in the coming months, opening the door for wider adoption. Currently, Lenovo holds the exclusive license for a SteamOS-powered handheld from Valve. However, the success of the Legion Go S could pave the way for more manufacturers to adopt SteamOS in the future.