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| The Legion Go 2 is expected to receive a cheaper SteamOS version too, just like the Legion Go S before it. |
The handheld gaming PC market is heating up, and Valve's SteamOS is becoming a serious contender beyond the Steam Deck. In a bold move earlier this year, Lenovo launched the Legion Go S, the first third-party device to ship with the Linux-based SteamOS pre-installed. Now, fresh rumors suggest Lenovo is not only sticking with the strategy but preparing a major follow-up: a SteamOS version of the powerful Legion Go 2, potentially launching as soon as next month.
The Legion Go S: A SteamOS Pioneer with a Pricing Paradox
Lenovo's initial foray began with the Legion Go S (currently $699.99 on Amazon), which offered an exclusive Nebula Nocturne color and a handy dedicated Steam button. Most notably, Lenovo priced the SteamOS variant over 15% lower than its Windows 11 sibling, a clear nod to the cost benefits of the open-source platform.
However, the launch faced a significant timing issue. The Windows version of the handheld arrived much earlier and, through frequent sales, often dipped below the Legion Go S's MSRP by the time the SteamOS model hit shelves. This undercut the intended price advantage and left some consumers wondering about the value proposition.
Exclusive: Lenovo Legion Go 2 gets SteamOS with Ryzen Z2 Extreme for those who hate Windows 11
— Windows Latest (@WindowsLatest) December 18, 2025
- SteamOS
- Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor
- 32 GB LPDDR5X RAM, 2 TB PCIe SSD
- 8.8-inch PureSight OLED display.
This device originally shipped with Windows 11, but it’s now getting a… pic.twitter.com/gt1SwPwSkN
The Legion Go 2 SteamOS Edition: CES 2026 Debut and leaked Specs
Undeterred, Lenovo appears ready to try again with its flagship model. According to an exclusive report from Windows Latest, the company is preparing a "powered by SteamOS" variant of the Legion Go 2, with a potential unveiling at CES 2026 in Las Vegas next month.
The report, which you can read in full here, claims the core hardware will mirror the Windows model. This includes the stunning 8.8-inch OLED display and the substantial 74 Wh battery. Where it gets interesting is the purported top-tier configuration: the SteamOS Legion Go 2 could feature "up to" an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, paired with a massive 32 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 2 TB of storage. This suggests multiple SKUs, likely including models with 16 GB of RAM.
Pricing and the Big Question: Will Timing Be Better?
Perhaps the most compelling detail from the rumor is the expected pricing. Windows Latest states the SteamOS version "should be cheaper" than the current Legion Go 2, which starts at $1,099, with the Ryzen Z2 Extreme model commanding $1,349.
If accurate, this could create a significant price gap between two devices with identical hardware, save for the operating system. For gamers dedicated to their Steam libraries and who prefer SteamOS's console-like simplicity and performance optimizations, this could be a major selling point.
The critical lesson from the Legion Go S saga will be synchronized availability. For the SteamOS Legion Go 2 to succeed, it needs to launch alongside or very close to its Windows counterpart to truly capitalize on its price advantage.
The Bottom Line for Gamers
The potential arrival of a SteamOS Legion Go 2 signals Lenovo's continued commitment to offering a choice. It validates SteamOS as a viable alternative for major manufacturers and pushes the entire handheld PC market toward more competition and specialization.
For consumers, it means more options: the full compatibility and flexibility of Windows on one hand, and the potentially leaner, cheaper, and more gaming-focused experience of SteamOS on the other. If Lenovo can nail the launch timing, the SteamOS Legion Go 2 could become the most compelling high-end alternative to the Steam Deck yet.
You can check the latest price and availability for the current Legion Go S on Amazon. All eyes will be on Las Vegas this January for the official word from CES 2026.