In the current situation, choosing the Windows 11 version for the Legion Go S is a what only a fool would do.
Let’s sum it up:
- Worse performance across the board
- Worse power consumption
- More expensive
The Windows 11 version only makes sense if there are games with anti-cheat that you don’t want to miss on. There are some notable exceptions like GTA 5 Online and APEX Legends where SteamOS support was removed recently. And there’s Fortnite, outside of Steam, that remains unplayable on SteamOS. There’s probably a few more too, but those are the important ones that come to mind. If such titles don’t matter for your gaming patterns, the SteamOS of the Legion Go S version is the obvious choice.
After [seeing the benchmarks], you must be wondering if Lenovo actually bothers with the Windows version at all! Truth is, it’s worse than that. You can’t even find a mention of the SteamOS version of the Lenovo Legion Go S on Lenovo’s website. I am so NOT kidding. There is “View Models” button, but there are no other models apart from the Windows 11 Home version.
I checked a few country sites for Lenovo, and it’s inconsistent as hell for a Global company. France only has the Windows version, Japan doesn’t even list the Legion Go S model (still stuck at the previous Switch like model), and finally I could find the SteamOS version on Lenovo’s site in Indonesia!
So, guys, I don’t want to kill your enthusiasm, but this sounds very much like We are just pretending to release a SteamOS version but in fact we advertise the Windows model everywhere instead. Since I am familiar with large companies, I guess the story was like that. Someone in Business Development managed to secure a deal with Valve, the CEO must have said OK, does not cost much anyway. And then the BD guy went fishing in each territory, asking for the Marketing leaders who wanted to launch that SKU, and turns out most region heads were not interested in hearing about SteamOS. This is probably why you end up with said SKU only listed in some small regions and not the main ones. It’s probably a pilot, at most. I was not in the room, so I don’t really know, but it does sound and smell like this kind of situation.
Well, in the US, if you are actively looking for it, you can find it on Best Buy, at least…
In short, you have SteamOS delivering all the goods, but there’s no appetite on the manufacturer’s side to do anything about it. Sad. Note that Lenovo is the only manufacturer with an official support stated for SteamOS on the Legion Go S. Valve is offering support for additional handhelds (the original Legion Go, and the ROG Ally) but that’s considered experimental and not official at the moment (see their recovery image page).
I refuse to buy a handheld that is not SteamOS. Like Nintendo, they can basically just brick your device, and online functionality requires a monthly subscription.
Also, we know Microsoft will eventually do something to mess this all up.
With SteamOS, we can fork and change it and have access to our entire Steam libraries. I have had Steam my whole life and only played PC. Why would I even bother with anything else?
Also, we know Microsoft will eventually do something to mess this all up.
Even if they change absolutely nothing, Windows on a handheld is an infuriating experience, which is saying a lot, because the desktop version isn’t very good either.
Like Nintendo, they can basically just brick your device
What? No they can’t, stop spreading bullshit. If that was the case it would be much, much harder to install a different OS. I can tell you from experience though that it’s no harder than any other x86 PC.
They’re talking about handheld PCs. They are nothing more than oddly shaped laptops, they can’t be remotely bricked.
Ok
This is just my opinion, but if a game doesn’t work on Linux/SteamOS then it was never worth playing to begin with.
Lenovo likely doesnt want to blatently get on Microsofts bad side. Basically skirting business to business relationships.
for example if down the line the xbox full screen mode is decent, you probably dont want to be glazing your opposition.
That sounds like an abusive relationship.
welcome to the tech world, where trying to cozy with competition can lead to blacklists.
take for example, there are oems who used to make Nvidia gpus, tried to do a side AMD hustle and got blacklisted by Nvidia (e.g XFX), and Nvidia has not so many good relationships with some of its old partners (EVGA, Apple)
SteamOS exists because of Valves fear of the chance that Microsoft would blacklist or strongarm the platform into a more appstore like experience.
big tech companies hold a lot of fucking power
That’s most big tech companies.
welcome to what happens when a single corporate entity owns a monopoly on a sector. it turns into extortion rackets so fast because everything is secretly just mob shit in the background
I saw so much of this. The same thing with Intel marketing dollars over AMD. Or Nvidia marketing dollars over AMD. Or Microsoft over Linux offerings for laptops. I’m surprised it’s not public knowledge at this point.
Can we get the ROG Ally certified for Steam OS now? The wife has been chomping at the bit but won’t change until the bugs have been worked out and valve considers it certified for Steam OS
*champing.
I’m actually not sure you’re right… isn’t the metaphor a horse wearing a bridle with a bit in their mouth? When they’re excited to move they literally chomp on the bit.
Champing was the original but chomping has become acceptable and basically the norm depending on where you live.
id imagine part of the deal on getting first dibs on xbox full screen mode is that they werent allowed to officially support Steam OS. Lenovo is on the opposite end of the relationship where they had a legion go s run with steam os, but was not invited to use xbox full screen.
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Damn you autocorrect. I’m keeping it haha
I figured it was too pedantic and deleted it right after.
