Previous this 12 months, Lenovo launched a extra streamlined and doubtlessly reasonably priced tackle its within the . Sadly, the Home windows 11 model got here first, which wasn’t the only we had been maximum fascinated about. Now, the Legion Move S powered by means of SteamOS has arrived, and oh my, what a distinction an working device could make. Now not simplest does this fashion function a UI that is significantly better fitted to a conveyable gaming gadget, it has quicker efficiency as nicely. However the most efficient phase is that the SteamOS variant is more economical than its Home windows sibling. All of this makes for a hand held that is a welcome choice to the Steam Deck, particularly for somebody who is no longer keen on Valve’s {hardware}.
Lenovo/Engadget
For lovers of SteamOS, this model of Legion Move S makes for a captivating and extra robust choice to Valve’s Steam Deck.
- Higher efficiency than the Home windows fashion
- Giant, vivid show
- Progressed battery existence
- Runs SteamOS
- Swiftly dear
- No fingerprint reader
- Vulnerable haptics
Design and show: Retaining it easy
Like its sibling, the SteamOS model of the Legion Move S includes a very simple design. A large distinction between the 2 is this fashion includes a darkish crimson frame as a substitute of the white shell at the Home windows variant. Because of its huge 8-inch 1200p show and sizable grips, it is a bit chunkier than opponents just like the Steam Deck or the ROG Best friend X. At 500 nits, brightness is above reasonable in comparison to conventional hand held PCs. On the other hand, as a result of Lenovo makes use of an LCD panel, colours don’t seem to be relatively as colourful and you do not get the ones natural inky blacks such as you do on a device with an OLED display similar to the unique Legion Move.
I really like that Lenovo integrated Corridor impact sensors for its joysticks, at the side of a toggle that allows you to modify the pull intensity of the triggers. Plus, the addition of a 2nd USB-C port lets you fee the instrument whilst preserving different equipment plugged in. There may be additionally a couple of programmable paddles at the again and a to hand microSD card slot for expandable garage.
The most important departures from the flagship Legion Move are that this fashion’s joysticks and buttons can’t be indifferent and its integrated touchpad is considerably smaller. This implies the latter is best fitted to shifting the cursor round SteamOS in desktop mode or to navigating menus than it’s as a real exchange regulate scheme whilst enjoying video games. You additionally do not get a fingerprint reader, which I believe will have to be an ordinary inclusion on hand held gaming PCs at this level.
Efficiency and instrument: Higher with SteamOS
The Legion Move S powered by means of SteamOS is to be had in a couple of configurations. Our $830 evaluation unit options an AMD Ryzen Z1 Excessive chip with 32GB of RAM and 1TB of garage. Sadly, this implies I wasn’t in a position to run true apples-to-apples efficiency checks with the Ryzen Z2 Move-equipped model of the Home windows Legion Move S I reviewed previous this 12 months. However given the lackluster effects from that fashion, I usually would not suggest any hand held powered by means of that chip, although that model is considerably extra reasonably priced. If funds is a priority, Valve’s Steam Deck stays the simpler choice.
Even if the Move S with SteamOS options the very same chip, I if truth be told noticed reasonably higher efficiency right here in comparison to the unique Legion Move. With each methods set to a 15-watt TDP (general instrument energy), the Legion Move S edged out the Home windows fashion in Cyberpunk 2077 at 800p on medium graphics by means of pumping out 58 fps as opposed to 54 fps. By way of comparability, the Steam Deck OLED controlled 53 fps. And in Regulate at 800p on medium, it was once a equivalent state of affairs, despite the fact that the space was once even smaller. The Legion Move S hit 29 fps, beating out the OG Legion Move (27 fps) and the Steam Deck OLED (24 fps).
The reason for the SteamOS fashion’s stepped forward horsepower is difficult to pinpoint — particularly as efficiency varies from identify to identify — however it is usually because of Valve’s platform having much less overhead and device processes than Home windows-based opponents. And if that wasn’t sufficient, the SteamOS UI is best designed for a devoted gaming gadget, as turning at the device boots you proper into your sport library versus spitting you out into Microsoft’s vintage desktop view. There also are some minor tweaks in Valve’s OS to give a boost to options just like the integrated RGB lights at the Legion Move S — one thing the Steam Deck does not have.
For lovers of SteamOS, the principle explanation why except value to pick out a Steam Deck over the Legion Move S (or vice versa) is that each and every device options other efficiency goals. Valve’s hand held has a TDP that tops out at 15 watts, and at decrease energy ranges, it options higher power potency than the Legion Move S. This makes it extra appropriate for individuals who frequently play older video games or much less difficult 2D fare. On the other hand, Lenovo’s hand held has a max TDP of 33 watts (or 40 when plugged into the wall), which makes it more proficient at dealing with resource-intensive fashionable titles. So if you need upper body charges (which you most likely do), a Z1 Excessive Legion Move S with SteamOS has far more headroom to push pixels even more difficult.
Battery existence: Only a contact extra environment friendly
That includes a mid-size 55WHr battery, longevity at the Legion Move S when working SteamOS does not in reality stand out. On the other hand, I discovered that on reasonable, it runs as much as half-hour longer than its Home windows counterpart throughout quite a few titles. When enjoying Steel Slug Techniques, it lasted simply shy of 3 hours (2:50) in comparison to nearer to an hour and a part for the Home windows 11 fashion (2:33). It was once a equivalent state of affairs in Elden Ring, the place the SteamOS model was once in a position to proceed for an additional quarter-hour after its sibling conked out.
Wrap-up
The Legion Move S powered by means of SteamOS is an easy and well-built gaming hand held with an excellent larger display than Valve’s transportable and arguably higher ergonomics. When configured with a Ryzen Z1 Excessive chip, it is a more sensible choice for taking part in extra difficult fashionable video games with out feeling pressured to change to a Home windows-based instrument. It additionally has a extra optimized UI than its Microsoft-powered opponents whilst protecting to hand options like Corridor impact joysticks and twin USB-C ports.
With Z1 Excessive fashions beginning at $830 as a substitute of $600 for the Z2 Move configs, despite the fact that, it isn’t relatively as reasonably priced as I assumed it could be again when it was once first introduced in the beginning of the 12 months. Besides, it is great to have choices. And as simply certainly one of two handhelds in the marketplace that include SteamOS pre-installed, the Legion Move S makes a captivating argument as a larger and extra robust improve to the Steam Deck.
