The Legion Go 2 might ditch Windows for SteamOS - and cost less

[DragonSlayer101]

Something to look forward to: The Lenovo Legion Go 2 launched earlier this year, featuring AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip and a 144Hz OLED display. While most reviewers liked the hardware, they hated the astronomical pricing that starts at $1,099 and goes all the way up to $1,479. Thankfully, a cheaper version could be on its way next year, with a SteamOS powered variant rumored to debut at CES 2026.

According to Windows Latest, the SteamOS model will feature hardware similar to the Windows version, including the same Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, paired with up to 32GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory and up to 2TB of PCIe Gen4 M.2 2242 storage.

It is tipped to feature an 8.8-inch FHD (1920 × 1200) PureSight OLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, up to 500 nits of brightness, and DCI-P3 color gamut support.

The incoming model is also expected to retain the 74Wh battery found in its Windows counterpart, along with support for 65W charging via USB-C. Connectivity options would include dual USB4 Type-C ports, a microSD expansion slot supporting cards up to 2TB, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The real difference between the existing model and the upcoming one will be the operating system. Despite Microsoft's repeated assurances of making Windows 11 the best platform for gaming, it remains bloated and laggy, especially when compared to SteamOS.

Valve's handheld platform not only offers native Steam integration, but also delivers a streamlined, controller-first interface with seamless suspend and resume functionality, along with better battery life thanks to more efficient power management. SteamOS also reduces load times by booting directly into games, resulting in smoother gameplay and a better overall experience.

The new Legion Go 2 is expected to be available in a Nebula Nocturne color and feature a dedicated Steam shortcut. Pricing information is not yet available, but rumors suggest it could be around 15 to 20 percent cheaper than the current Windows model.

Microsoft recently promised major performance, power, and graphics optimizations for Windows 11 to make the gaming experience more "console-like." The updated software will initially roll out to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally, but Lenovo has confirmed it will also be available for its existing Legion handhelds next year.

Permalink to story:

The Legion Go 2 might ditch Windows for SteamOS – and cost less

 

[yRaz]

While I'm 100% in favor of this, the touch pads on my steam deck are what makes it so comfortable to use. I have a feeling this will be a limited release with what's going on with RAM pricing right now, anyway. Almost all of my laptops have been Lenovo and I'm unable to say I'm unsatisfied so I'm interested in seeing the reviews.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

Dropping Windows will save (at most) $50 or 4.5% off the cheapest model. That's long been the price of Windows for "smaller screen devices" going back to the Netbook days.

There is no way Lenovo is paying $200 for Windows.

Wishful dreaming is what these rumors are.

 

[Kashim]

Another wishful thinking article on TS. The Legion Go 2 "might" ditch Windows and it "could" cost less. Yeah, right. When was the last time *any* generation of *any* handheld made by *any* company that was cheaper than the previous generation? If you think that ditching Windows is going to lower the price of this thing then keep dreaming. The price of everything is going up not down, and no amount of wishful thinking is going to change that.

 

[AlexIL]

Dropping Windows will save (at most) $50 or 4.5% off the cheapest model. That's long been the price of Windows for "smaller screen devices" going back to the Netbook days.

There is no way Lenovo is paying $200 for Windows.

Wishful dreaming is what these rumors are.

It’s not only licensing to end users it’s background service involving Windows servers and patches whoch is developers time. Linux involves lower uptime costs and Valve have endlessly higher reliability reputation than Microsoft st its best of times.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

It’s not only licensing to end users it’s background service involving Windows servers and patches whoch is developers time. Linux involves lower uptime costs and Valve have endlessly higher reliability reputation than Microsoft st its best of times.

That has nothing to do with the cost of a gaming handheld.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Dropping Windows will save (at most) $50 or 4.5% off the cheapest model. That's long been the price of Windows for "smaller screen devices" going back to the Netbook days.

There is no way Lenovo is paying $200 for Windows.

Wishful dreaming is what these rumors are.

I'm not sure where you are getting that pricing from. Microsoft has no listing for a "small screen" license anywhere I can find. The $50 price I found in an article from 2009.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-licensing

OEMs pay Microsoft about $50 for each copy of Windows

Microsoft has revealed that, for a $1000 PC, it has always charged the OEM …

arstechnica.com

 

[Watzupken]

Microsoft have a lot of work to do if they really want their users to stick with Windows. Based on my recent experience using a Windows based handheld PC, it was such a poor experience especially if you suspend it a lot. When the system wakes up, there is all sorts of issues, I.e. you need to sign in again, game suddenly not running full screen mode, FPS goes from 120 to sub 60s, the MSI software suddenly forgets the settings, etc. Add in all the extra bloat running in the background, most which we cannot disable, I am sure it impacts performance and battery.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

I'm not sure where you are getting that pricing from. Microsoft has no listing for a "small screen" license anywhere I can find. The $50 price I found in an article from 2009.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/windows-licensing

OEMs pay Microsoft about $50 for each copy of Windows

Microsoft has revealed that, for a $1000 PC, it has always charged the OEM …

arstechnica.com

Yeah, I literally mentioned netbooks in my comment.

If you prefer another angle, I can personally buy Windows 11 for $15, so why would Lenovo pay $200?

 

[ZedRM]

@ Lenovo
No thanks. As many problems as Windows 11 has, SteamOS is based on Linux and is not a platform I want to game on.

If you give us the choice of one over the other, that's ok. If you only offer SteamOS? Hard core pass.