Lenovo Handheld: Legion Go 2 to come in SteamOS variant
Lenovo's handheld PC Legion Go 2 currently only available with Windows 11. That is set to change in the summer: at CES, Lenovo announced a variant with SteamOS.
(Image: Lenovo)
Lenovo also wants to bring the Legion Go 2 to market in a variant with SteamOS. Starting in June, it will be possible to purchase the handheld PC with pre-installed SteamOS if desired, the Chinese manufacturer announced at CES 2026.
So far, the Legion Go 2 is exclusively available with Windows 11, unlike its predecessor. Last year, Lenovo was one of the first third-party manufacturers to launch a SteamOS handheld with the Legion Go S. As with the Legion Go S, buyers of the Legion Go 2 will also have the choice in the future of whether they prefer Windows 11 or Valve's SteamOS pre-installed.
SteamOS can also be installed yourself
Theoretically, nothing prevents users from installing SteamOS on their Windows 11 Legion Go 2 as well. Last year, Valve adapted SteamOS so that it can also be installed on devices besides the Steam Deck. This requires, among other things, deactivating Secure Boot and loading the image via a USB stick. Pre-installing SteamOS makes these steps unnecessary.
The choice between SteamOS and Windows 11 is a matter of faith: generally, SteamOS is better optimized for games, although Microsoft also invested resources in developing a handheld interface for Windows last year. In performance comparisons, SteamOS often has the edge in the handheld sector. However, game compatibility is still somewhat better on Windows devices: many multiplayer titles cannot run on the Linux-based SteamOS because their anti-cheat solutions fundamentally block Linux.
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SteamOS variant even pricier?
Lenovo announced the Legion Go 2 last autumn. It is one of the most lavishly equipped handheld PCs available for purchase. With the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, it plays on an 8.8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1920 Ă— 1200 pixels at up to 144 Hz. The price for this is high: you pay at least 1500 euros for this variant. The version with a slightly stripped-down Ryzen Z2 (without Extreme) starts at 1250 euros.
So far, Lenovo has only announced a US price for the Legion Go 2 with SteamOS: in the smaller variant with Ryzen Z2, it is expected to cost 1200 US dollars in the USA – 100 US dollars more than the same version with Windows 11.
heise online is a media partner of CES 2026.
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