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 gaming handheld marking a significant milestone: it's the first non-Valve device to ship with SteamOS. This collaboration expands SteamOS beyond the Steam Deck, offering a console-like experience optimized for portable gaming.

The Legion Go S, launching in May 2025 for $499, boasts a 16GB RAM/512GB storage configuration running SteamOS. This version will receive identical software updates to the Steam Deck, ensuring feature parity. For those preferring Windows, a Windows 11 variant will launch in January 2025, priced at $599 (16GB RAM/1TB storage) and $729 (32GB RAM/1TB storage).

While the Steam Deck faces competition from devices like the Asus ROG Ally X and MSI Claw 8 AI+, its SteamOS advantage remains. Unlike Windows-based handhelds, SteamOS provides a smoother, more optimized portable experience. Valve's efforts to bring SteamOS to third-party devices have culminated in this partnership with Lenovo.

Initially, only the Legion Go S will offer a SteamOS option. However, Valve plans to release a public SteamOS beta in the coming months, expanding compatibility to other handhelds. This move suggests a potential shift in the handheld gaming market, with more manufacturers potentially adopting SteamOS in the future. The success of the SteamOS-powered Legion Go S may influence Lenovo's decision regarding future SteamOS implementations on devices like the Legion Go 2. Currently, Lenovo holds the exclusive license for a SteamOS-powered handheld.