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, priced at $499, will launch in May 2025 with a 16GB RAM / 512GB storage configuration. This SteamOS version offers a smoother, console-like experience compared to Windows-based competitors like the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+, leveraging SteamOS's optimized Linux foundation for a superior portable gaming experience.

While initially leaked, Lenovo officially confirmed the SteamOS variant at CES 2025, alongside the Legion Go 2. The Legion Go S boasts similar power to its predecessor in a more compact design. A Windows 11 version is also available, launching in January 2025 with prices ranging from $599 (16GB RAM / 1TB storage) to $729 (32GB RAM / 1TB storage). Currently, there are no plans for a SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2.

Valve assures full feature parity between the Steam Deck and the Legion Go S, guaranteeing identical software updates (excluding hardware-specific adjustments). This partnership signifies a significant step for SteamOS adoption, with Lenovo currently being the sole licensed manufacturer. However, Valve promises a public SteamOS beta for other handhelds in the coming months, opening the door for wider compatibility.