The Lenovo Legion Go 2, initially launched in September 2025, was a high-end handheld gaming PC that encountered limitations due to Windows 11. However, exciting developments are underway as Lenovo has unveiled the Legion Go 2 powered by SteamOS at CES 2026.
This new variant still boasts the formidable AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, with a capacity of up to 32GB of RAM and a 2TB SSD. The primary alterations are the menu buttons, now resembling those found on the Steam Deck or the Legion Go S, and the shift to SteamOS as the operating system.
For current Legion Go 2 users, installing SteamOS is possible but involves the complex task of setting up Linux. With the new version coming pre-installed with SteamOS, future owners can bypass the Windows interface entirely. Lenovo asserts that SteamOS is optimized for the hardware, potentially enhancing the Z2 Extreme’s capabilities significantly, akin to the performance of the Legion Go S launched in June 2025.
Although Lenovo hasn’t specified a release date for the Legion Go 2 with SteamOS, it will start at $1,199—$100 more than its Windows-equipped predecessor. This price discrepancy is intriguing, considering Lenovo avoids Windows licensing fees, but the final configuration remains to be seen. Given the current state of RAM prices, this might not be so surprising.
Linux, Finally
Similar to other handheld gaming PCs, the Lenovo Legion Go 2 faced challenges with its software. Windows 11 struggles with controller interfaces, and although the Xbox Full Screen Experience available on the Legion Go 2 offers some improvement, SteamOS provides a superior user experience.
Initially, I installed Bazzite, a SteamOS-like Linux distro, to enhance hardware compatibility on the Legion Go 2, turning it into my most frequently used handheld. For now, these Linux-based solutions are better suited for handheld gaming. Until Microsoft fully develops the Full Screen Experience, more manufacturers may opt for SteamOS. Lenovo’s decision with the Legion Go S exemplifies this trend, a move other manufacturers might soon follow.
Lenovo asserts that SteamOS is optimized for the hardware, potentially enhancing the Z2 Extreme’s capabilities significantly, akin to the performance of the Legion Go S launched in June 2025.