Lenovo Legion Go S: Windows 11 vs. SteamOS Performance, and General Availability

Summary

We have already covered it ahead of its launch: the Lenovo Legion Go S is a high-end handheld PC that comes in two flavors: a SteamOS variant and a Windows 11 version. Today, we are going to look at the performance across both versions, based on multiple benchmarks collected from different sources on the webs. The Lenovo Legion Go S: SteamOS for the Masses Both versions of the Legion Go S use a similar AMD processor (Z2 Go at 4c/8t) and a 55.5 Wh battery, but the SteamOS model is priced about $130 lower (~$599 vs ~$730), officially. This being said, the Windows version can be found cheaper in some places (I seem to recall Bestbuy having it at 600 USD as well). On top of the Z2 Go processor, there is a version with the Z1 Extreme APU as well, if your wallet has more depth to it. Since the hardware is identical, the performance of both versions is driven by the underlying software stack (OS, hardware support, and drivers). Gaming Performance on AAA Titles SteamOS vs Windows 11: FPS Multiple 2025 benchmarks show the SteamOS Legion Go S outperforms the Windows 11 version across numerous AAA games. There is not always a huge difference, but it’s always in the same direction: equivalent or better on SteamOS. Note that the below numbers are a mix of different hardware and different testing conditions (Some used the Z2 Go APU, others the Z1 Extreme), but at the end it does not really matter: the trend is pretty much the same across numerous conditions observed. The table is pretty clear. In general you get a massive boost in framerate with the SteamOS version. Between 20 and 30% is a good rule of thumb for most demanding games out there. Nice! SteamOS vs Windows11: Battery Life Comparison On top of higher performance, SteamOS gives better power efficiency. The unit will last longer in most games, as you can see in the below table. Game/Workload Windows 11 Battery Life SteamOS Battery Life Difference Source Cyberpunk 2077 (AAA, medium settings) ~1h 31m ~1h 54m +25% TechSpot ...