Upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S PC boasts increased power, set for launch in May; however, one significant flaw looms.
Chatty Chip-Off: The Lowdown on Lenovo's Legion Go S (and its Ryzen Rivals)
If you've been scratching your head about handheld gaming consoles lately, we don't blame you. Lenovo's latest Legion Go S, launched at CES 2024, has got the gaming community buzzing. Let's dive in, chat about the ins and outs, and see if this bad boy can give the big boys a run for their money!
First things first, when Lenovo dropped the news of multiple new handhelds, we were all ears. Handheld gaming PCs are revolutionizing the market, offering the PC gaming experience to a wider audience.
Among the bunch, the Legion Go 2 was the obvious standout. A powerful successor to the original Legion Go unveiled in September 2023, it was poised to steal the show. And then there was the more budget-friendly Legion Go S.
The base Legion Go S, powered by a lower-tier Ryzen Z2 Go chipset, hit the shelves in April 2024. Our first impressions? A little underwhelming, to put it nicely—landing a measly 3 out of 5 stars.
But there was hope. The SteamOS version of the Lenovo Legion Go S, boasting a more potent AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, was due for release in May 2024, and it's now up for preorder.
The question is, is this $749 (or more) powerhouse worth the cash? Let's weigh the pros and cons.
Handheld gaming PCs are still a steal compared to budget gaming laptops and even outperform the best gaming laptops on the market. However, dropping $749 on a 2023 chipset is tough when the Valve Steam Deck is priced at a pocket-friendly $399.
If you're looking for better bang for your buck, you might want to reconsider the Legion Go S. But hey, let's not forget the original Lenovo Legion Go, which often goes on sale for mere $600.
If budget isn't your primary concern, the MSI Claw 8 AI, with its larger 8-inch screen and improved gaming performance, could be up your alley. Our website gave it a decent 4.5 stars.
Now, about those upgraded versions with Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme processors. AMD unveiled the Ryzen Z2 series at CES 2024, and the Lenovo Legion Go S and the rumored Legion Go 2 are slated to use these chips. However, no official price or release date has been announced yet.
While the Z1 Extreme version of the Legion Go S will shore up one of our major complaints about the original model, the price tag just doesn't feel right. Not when there are other, cheaper options out there offering similar performance.
Stay tuned, because the Legion Go 2, potentially featuring the powerful Ryzen Z2 Extreme or AMD's Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, is rumored to hit the shelves in the second half of 2024.
Who knows? By then, we might have a Legion Go S that's truly head and shoulders above the rest. But for now, it's hard to shake the feeling that this handheld mighta missed its moment!
Here's to hoping the next round puts Lenovo back in the game. Keep an eye out for more updates—we'll be sure to break them down for you!
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Insights: The Lenovo Legion Go (Z2 Go variant) was launched in April 2024. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme variant of the Lenovo Legion Go S, priced at $749, is available now and has been met with mixed reviews. The MSI Claw 8 AI, with a larger 8-inch screen and improved gaming performance, is available for $899.
Lenovo is planning to release upgraded versions of the Lenovo Legion Go S with Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme processors, but no official release date or price has been set yet. These upgrades could potentially command a premium price, going for $800 or higher depending on RAM and storage options. The Lenovo Legion Go 2, featuring the more powerful Zen 5-based Z2 Extreme processor, is slated to come out in the second half of 2024.
- The Legion Go S, a budget-friendly alternative from Lenovo, was unveiled at CES 2024, featuring a lower-tier Ryzen Z2 Go chipset.
- The Ryzen Z1 Extreme version of the Lenovo Legion Go S, with a more potent processor, is priced at $749 and is now available for preorder.
- In comparison, the Valve Steam Deck, priced at $399, offers a competitive alternative to handheld gaming PCs.
- If budget isn't a constraint, the MSI Claw 8 AI might be a better choice with its larger 8-inch screen and improved gaming performance.
- Lenovo is planning to release upgraded versions of the Legion Go S with Ryzen Z2 or Z2 Extreme processors, but there's no official release date or price set yet.
- The Legion Go 2, rumored to be equipped with the powerful Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, is expected to hit the shelves in the second half of 2024.
