I love the Lenovo Legion Go S, but there is a problem I can't overcome.

My experience with gaming laptops has been quite rich, as I have tested various models, from the original Steam Deck to the ROG Ally X. I have learned to appreciate, criticize, and mostly tolerate the various limitations of each device. However, the new Lenovo Legion Go S has left me with the impression that it is a remarkable improvement, thanks to its quick triggers, large 8-inch screen, and a design that feels very comfortable in hand. The only downside is that Windows is a real headache. Yes, I said what many think: using Windows on a handheld device is an exceedingly frustrating experience, which became evident in my early days with the Legion Go S.

Despite continuing to evaluate the device and the Ryzen Z2 Go processor it contains —and I have some initial comparisons to present— I want to focus my attention on the problem posed by Windows.

From the start, I was a loyal user of the Steam Deck. Despite the variety of competing devices, I never felt the need to switch. Although Windows offers greater game compatibility, I prefer the experience provided by SteamOS, even if that means giving up some titles and, at times, performance. It wasn’t until I discovered Bazzite, a variant of SteamOS, that I decided to switch on the ROG Ally X. This system has grown in popularity, and if you don’t know it, it’s essentially SteamOS, offering superior performance and an uninterrupted software experience.

Upon arriving at the Lenovo Legion Go S, I already knew I wouldn’t enjoy Windows as much as I did with Bazzite, although I wasn't prepared for how much worse the situation had become, especially considering the time that has passed since its launch. For context, when I unpacked the device, it took me an hour to complete the Windows setup process, much of which was spent navigating irrelevant offers for Office 365 and OneDrive that had nothing to do with a gaming laptop. Once I finally reached the desktop, I encountered more problems. Microsoft Store updates didn’t work until I manually ran another Windows update, and the Xbox app also didn’t function because it required an update that I couldn’t install as the button was off-screen.

Setting up and updating any new device can take time, but the experience with the Lenovo Legion Go S —and all Windows devices— is lengthy and frustrating. It feels like the device is not functioning correctly, as if you had installed an operating system that doesn’t belong. This shows that Windows was not designed for this type of form factor and never seems to meet the needs of handheld gamers.

For example, in Windows 11, the taskbar is filled with default applications that take up all the screen space, making it difficult to use other apps. Additionally, power settings are poor; the device goes into sleep mode after just a few minutes without considering whether it’s charging or not, which can lead to failed downloads.

Despite the apparent advantages in performance and game support that Windows offers, every aspect of using a handheld device feels like a constant struggle. Although there are solutions, the need for peripherals such as a USB-C hub, monitor, and keyboard seems essential to properly set up the device before being able to play.

On the other hand, the comparison between the Ryzen Z2 Go and the Ryzen Z1 Extreme of the Lenovo Legion Go S shows that the former is somewhat slower, although this is not entirely surprising given that both processors have 12 RDNA 3 Compute Units. The preliminary results I obtained for some popular titles indicate that the performance is close to other devices, but the Ryzen Z2 Go has only four CPU cores, limiting its capacity in more demanding games.

The Lenovo Legion Go S is undoubtedly a great device, but the experience of using Windows on a handheld currently is lacking. With SteamOS gaining support for more games every day, it is becoming an increasingly attractive option. I will probably recommend the Legion Go S, but with the caveat to wait for a version with SteamOS pre-installed.