Find a Windows-Based Steam Deck Alternative with the ‘Legion Go S’ for $499.99—A Price It Should’ve Had from the Start

Alright, let’s dive into this, friends, and explore the curious saga of Lenovo’s, uh, what do you call it? Oh, the Legion Go S. You’ve got two options here, kind of like picking between two odd flavors of ice cream that you never knew you needed — one’s vanilla Windows 11 and the other’s, well, some sort of mysterious purple-grey SteamOS. I can’t even figure out why they launched them at different times. Just to keep us guessing, I suppose.

So, here’s the deal, the white version — thinking low-key fancy but lacking a Porsche budget — was supposed to be the ultimate starter pack for folks venturing into portable PC gaming. But oh man, the initial price put folks off quicker than me realizing I accidentally bought decaf coffee. Lucky day, though, they slashed the price down to $499.99 at Best Buy. Now we’re talking!

This isn’t even the first time they chopped the price. I’m reminded of that time Zach, one of our trustworthy tech guys (does he ever sleep?), reviewed it back in February. The price dropped to $599 in April, yet Zach was still skeptical, like when you buy organic kale for the first time and wonder, “Did I really need this?”

The initial price of $729.99 was almost laughable compared to the Steam Deck, which at $649 gave you more bang for your buck — literally a brighter display too. But now, sitting comfy at $499, it’s sandwiched between Steam Deck’s entry-level $399 option and the $549 OLED model. So if you’ve got a mini vault of games and need a snazzy Windows 11 experience on the go, maybe this one’s your ticket.

Anyway, I saw this image of someone gripping a Legion Go S, showing off the Xbox app on its handy little screen. Looks kinda like it belongs there, like a toddler in a candy store.

So here’s the kicker: this thing almost becomes Lenovo’s answer to the Steam Deck — it just kind of exists, ya know? You get PC Game Pass, plus you can play around with different settings if that’s your thing, like swapping out Windows for SteamOS. Now you’ve got versatility. Or maybe it just feels like indecision — who doesn’t have that, right?

Reading Zach’s thoughts, I feel a tinge of regret at that $730 price tag, like ordering an Uber Eats meal at 3 AM and realizing you didn’t need that much. Zach put it best: “If the Legion Go S powered by SteamOS came in at $500, even with half the RAM and storage, then the conversation may go a lot differently.” Now it feels like you’re getting both a solid chunk of memory and a sweet gigabyte heap with this new price.

Honestly, it’s tragic. Like watching the clock tick down on this deal knowing it’s just gonna rocket back to that bonkers original price. Sure, it won’t knock down giants like the ROG Ally X, but for now, it feels like a combo of decent pricing and fair specs. It’s a rare middle-ground moment in tech where you feel like maybe, just maybe, you’re winning.