As Valve expands its support for handheld consoles beyond the Steam Deck, the spotlight has turned to the Lenovo Legion Go S, particularly in the context of operating system performance. A recent analysis by YouTuber Dave2D has shed light on the significant advantages of running SteamOS over Windows on this device, revealing that the shift not only enhances framerate but also extends battery life.
The SteamOS Lenovo Legion Go S shows notable improvements over the Windows version
Initially, the Lenovo Legion Go S was equipped solely with Windows, but with Valve’s recent rollout of official SteamOS support, users now have the option to either purchase a SteamOS variant or install the operating system themselves. This transition has sparked a wave of interest, particularly regarding the pricing dynamics associated with the two operating systems.
According to Dave2D’s findings, the price difference is striking. The Windows version of the Legion Go S retails at approximately 0, a figure that includes the added cost of the Windows license. In contrast, the SteamOS variant is available for a more attractive 9, offering the same hardware and controls, with the only distinctions being the operating system and the console’s aesthetic.
Surprisingly, the performance metrics tell a different story than one might expect from a lower-priced console. In tests comparing framerates across popular games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Doom Eternal, and The Witcher 3, the SteamOS version consistently outperformed its Windows counterpart by approximately 10-15 FPS. Furthermore, the battery performance of the SteamOS variant is noteworthy, providing over six hours of gameplay on titles like Dead Cells, compared to the Windows version’s mere two hours and 47 minutes.
Additionally, when juxtaposed with the Steam Deck, the Lenovo Legion Go S presents a compelling case. While the Steam Deck still holds an edge in battery life and pricing, the Legion Go S surpasses it in framerate, achieving 10-15 FPS more at a 15W power draw. This capability to push beyond 15W for even higher framerates adds to its appeal.
As Microsoft reportedly gears up to launch its own handheld device, likely running Windows, the challenge will be significant. The current performance gap between Windows and SteamOS on handheld devices raises questions about Microsoft’s ability to persuade consumers to choose Windows over the more efficient SteamOS. The gaming community will be keenly watching to see if Microsoft can adapt its operating system to better suit the demands of handheld gaming.
