Lenovo Legion Go Discounted: Stronger Steam Deck Alternative

Best Buy's Fourth of July Sale marks a historic first for Lenovo's gaming handhelds - both Legion Go S SteamOS models have received their inaugural discounts. The high-performance Lenovo Legion Go S AMD Z1 Extreme SteamOS version drops to $779.99 (from $830), while the entry-level Legion Go S AMD Ryzen Z2 Go SteamOS model is now $549.99 (originally $600). If your budget allows, I'd urge you to spring for the Z1 Extreme edition - it's currently setting the bar for portable gaming PCs in 2025.

Lenovo Legion Go S SteamOS Gaming Handheld PC

Lenovo Legion Go S 8" 120Hz AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme SteamOS Gaming Handheld PC (32GB/1TB)

$829.99 save 6% $779.99 at Best Buy

Lenovo Legion Go S 8" 120Hz AMD Ryzen Z2 Go SteamOS Gaming Handheld PC (16GB/512GB)

$599.99 save 8% $549.99 at Best Buy

The $230 premium for the Z1 Extreme model is absolutely worth considering. You're getting substantially more horsepower than the underwhelming Z2 Go chip, plus double the memory and storage capacity. What really sets it apart from Valve's Steam Deck is raw performance - despite running the same SteamOS platform, it delivers noticeably better frame rates. The expansive 8-inch 120Hz display makes everything look buttery smooth too. Battery endurance stays similar, though the Legion charges dramatically faster when you need a quick top-up.

From Jaqueline Thomas' Lenovo Legion Go S (Z1 Extreme, SteamOS) Review: Don't let the naming fool you - there's a generational leap between these chips. The Z1 Extreme sports AMD's latest Zen 4/RDNA 3 architecture compared to the Z2 Go's aging Zen 3/RDNA 2 setup... The performance gap between this and Valve's Steam Deck becomes apparent in demanding titles like Monster Hunter Wilds - thanks partly to its generous 10GB VRAM allocation versus Steam Deck's meager 6GB.

The SteamOS Advantage

While there's technically a third Windows model available, SteamOS delivers a far superior handheld experience. Valve's purpose-built interface beats Windows' clumsy touchscreen implementation for gaming anytime.

More from Jaqueline Thomas' Review: SteamOS demonstrates why dedicated gaming interfaces matter. It boots directly into Steam's Big Picture Mode - just sign in and start playing. Meanwhile, Windows models dump you into Lenovo's clunky Legion Space launcher before you can even install Steam... As someone who's tested countless gaming rigs, I'll tolerate Windows' quirks, but most users will find SteamOS's streamlined approach ideal.

Protip: Grab a quality power bank and microSD card if you snag this deal. While our Steam Deck vs ROG Ally comparison doesn't cover Lenovo's offering, it highlights crucial differences between SteamOS and Windows handhelds.