Head-to-head · Best Handheld Gaming PCs

ASUS ROG Ally X vs Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

Verdict is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our ratings are sourced from independent publications, not sponsors.

The short answer

Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS) comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.2 vs 4.0). The gap is mostly about Performance-focused SteamOS gamers — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs

ASUS ROG Ally X

4.0

4 sources

The ROG Ally X is an incremental but meaningful update to ASUS's handheld PC, pairing the Ryzen Z1 Extreme with reworked grips. The Verge notes it still runs full Windows, with the mandatory updates and unwanted Microsoft offers that implies. Battery endurance remains the limit on long sessions.

Strengths

— Slightly more powerful than predecessor, pairing the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme with faster 24 GB LPDDR5X memory
— Refined build with comfortable hand grips and improved button layout
— Better battery life compared to original model, per Engadget

Watch-outs

— Battery life still insufficient for extended use

Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #4 in Best Handheld Gaming PCs

Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)

4.2

4 sources1 derived

The Lenovo Legion Go S gets pitched as the better Steam Deck, and its AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD back that up on portable AAA gaming. PCMag's Zackery Cuevas called it a 'better Steam Deck' that surpasses expectations, and digitalchumps reviewer Will Silberman watched it run demanding titles like The Last of Us Part II smoothly. Reviewers criticized the loud fan noise and the limitation that blocks background game updates during sleep mode. Gamers who want SteamOS compatibility and high performance should look; anyone who values quiet operation or battery efficiency shouldn't.

Strengths

— Runs graphically intensive games smoothly with consistent framerates
— Features an 8in WUXGA LCD touchscreen with 120Hz refresh rate and VRR
— Powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 Go chip with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD

Watch-outs

— Fan runs loudly even during light usage
— Game installation and updates cannot be done while device is in sleep mode

Buy at bestbuy.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ASUS ROG Ally X runs full Windows, which differentiates it from the SteamOS-based Valve Steam Deck OLED. It offers better battery life than its predecessor, with an 80Wh battery that matches the MSI Claw 8's 80WHr capacity.

Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)

The Lenovo Legion Go S outperforms the Steam Deck OLED and Valve Steam Deck OLED in terms of hardware specs, featuring a Ryzen Z2 Go chip, making it superior for graphically intensive games. Unlike the ASUS ROG Ally X, it avoids the Xbox UI but suffers from loud fan noise and lacks the OLED screen quality of the Valve model.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	ASUS ROG Ally X	Lenovo Legion Go S (Z2 Go, SteamOS)
Processor	AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme	AMD Ryzen Z2 Go
Display	7 inch, 1920 x 1080 px	8in WUXGA (1920 x 1200)
Memory	24 GB LPDDR5X-7500	16GB LPDDR5X
Storage	1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe	512GB M.2 SSD
Battery	80 Wh	~55.5Wh
Graphics	12 RDNA 3 CUs, up to 2.7 GHz	Integrated AMD Radeon Graphics
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz

← See the full ranking of best handheld gaming pcs