Lenovo May Soon Announce a SteamOS Handheld Device

In a significant development for the gaming industry, Lenovo is expected to join the ranks of companies supporting SteamOS on handheld devices. This move comes after Valve revealed that it would be partnering with ROG Ally to support its Steam Deck operating system.

Table of Contents

Lenovo’s Entry into SteamOS: A Breakthrough or a Repeat Performance?

Valve’s decision to partner with ROG Ally for the Steam Deck operating system was met with excitement earlier this year. Now, Lenovo seems poised to follow suit, as revealed by Evan Blass on X. Blass posted images of an unannounced Lenovo Legion Go S, showcasing black and white variants of a handheld gaming PC.

The Steam Button: A Clear Indicator of SteamOS Support

While the low-resolution images do not scream SteamOS at first glance, closer inspection reveals a Steam logo on a button to the left of the display. The interesting aspect is that the black model has this Steam button, whereas the white variant does not.

This difference in design could indicate that Lenovo is preparing both Windows- and SteamOS-powered models of its Legion Go S. This development comes as PC makers like Asus, MSI, and Lenovo have opted for Windows-based handhelds up until now. However, with consumer patience wearing thin regarding Windows on tiny screens and Microsoft’s slow progress in improving the experience, OEMs are exploring alternative options.

The Shift towards SteamOS: A Response to Consumer Demand

Lenovo’s potential entry into a SteamOS handheld market is timely, given the recent update by Valve on its document with new branding guidelines that include ‘Powered by SteamOS’ hardware. This move signifies Valve’s commitment to working with more third-party hardware manufacturers beyond Asus to certify devices with SteamOS.

With CES 2025 just around the corner, we can expect to see a significant increase in SteamOS-powered hardware announcements. This development is significant, as it highlights the growing interest in alternative operating systems for handheld gaming PCs.

Lessons from the Past: Valve’s Steam Machines Initiative

Valve has attempted to tap into the PC manufacturer market before, during CES 2013, with its Steam Machines initiative. However, this effort did not gain sufficient traction among developers to port games to Linux and make these machines successful.

This time around, there are reasons to believe that things will be different due to Proton’s software compatibility layer. The Steam Deck has already demonstrated the ability of many Windows games to run smoothly on Linux thanks to Proton.

A New Era for Handheld Gaming: Proton and its Potential

As my colleague Sean Hollister wrote earlier this month, "it’s just as intriguing an idea as it was 12 years ago when Gabe Newell explained the initial vision to us, and this time, there’s a far better chance it’ll work."

The success of the Steam Deck and Proton’s software compatibility layer have shown that Linux-based handheld gaming PCs can be viable alternatives to traditional Windows-based devices. This shift in focus is likely to be a game-changer for the industry.

Conclusion

Lenovo’s entry into the SteamOS handheld market with its unannounced Legion Go S marks an exciting development for the gaming industry. With CES 2025 just around the corner, we can expect more announcements and partnerships that will further solidify SteamOS as a viable alternative to Windows-based handheld devices.

The success of the Steam Deck has demonstrated the potential of Linux-based handheld gaming PCs, and it is likely that this trend will continue in the coming years. As OEMs like Lenovo join forces with Valve to support SteamOS, we can expect to see more innovative products hitting the market.

References

Lenovo Legion Go S: A Handheld Gaming PC for a New Era

Lenovo’s unannounced Legion Go S is set to revolutionize the world of handheld gaming PCs with its SteamOS support. This device marks a significant departure from traditional Windows-based devices, which have dominated the market so far.

Design and Features

The Lenovo Legion Go S boasts a sleek design, with black and white variants available. The images posted by Evan Blass reveal a Steam button on the black model, indicating that this device will run on SteamOS.

While the low-resolution images do not provide detailed information about the device’s features, we can expect it to include a range of specs, including:

Processors: Lenovo is likely to use high-performance processors from Intel or AMD to ensure smooth gaming performance.
Memory and Storage: The device will probably feature ample memory (at least 16 GB) and storage capacity (256 GB or higher).
Display: A high-resolution display with a good refresh rate would be essential for immersive gaming experiences.

Pros and Cons of SteamOS on Handheld Devices

The shift towards SteamOS on handheld devices offers several advantages, including:

Advantages of SteamOS

Cross-Platform Compatibility: SteamOS allows users to play games across multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, and Linux.
Simplified Gaming Experience: With SteamOS, users can access their entire game library from a single interface.
Improved Performance: SteamOS provides better performance compared to traditional Windows-based devices.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

Drawbacks of SteamOS

Limited Game Library: While SteamOS offers an impressive selection of games, it still lags behind the vast library available on Windows.
Steeper Learning Curve: Users may need to adapt to a new operating system and interface, which can be intimidating for some.

Conclusion

Lenovo’s entry into the SteamOS handheld market with its unannounced Legion Go S marks an exciting development for the gaming industry. As OEMs like Lenovo join forces with Valve to support SteamOS, we can expect to see more innovative products hitting the market.

With CES 2025 just around the corner, it is likely that we will witness a significant increase in SteamOS-powered hardware announcements. This shift towards alternative operating systems on handheld devices has the potential to revolutionize the gaming industry and provide users with more options than ever before.

References

What Does This Mean for Gamers?

The shift towards SteamOS on handheld devices is a significant development for gamers. With more OEMs supporting this alternative operating system, users can expect:

More Options: Gamers will have access to a broader range of handheld gaming PCs with SteamOS support.
Improved Performance: SteamOS offers better performance compared to traditional Windows-based devices.
Simplified Gaming Experience: With SteamOS, users can access their entire game library from a single interface.

However, there are also some potential drawbacks to consider:

Potential Drawbacks for Gamers

Limited Game Library: While SteamOS offers an impressive selection of games, it still lags behind the vast library available on Windows.
Steeper Learning Curve: Users may need to adapt to a new operating system and interface, which can be intimidating for some.

Conclusion

The shift towards SteamOS on handheld devices is a significant development for gamers. As OEMs like Lenovo join forces with Valve to support this alternative operating system, we can expect to see more innovative products hitting the market.