Home windows could rule the desktop roost, nevertheless it merely can’t compete with the console-like expertise SteamOS presents on handhelds, strive as it’d. Critics steadily cite Microsoft’s working system as some extent of criticism among the many likes of Legion Go and ROG Ally, myself included, making Valve’s resolution appear all the higher. It seems that producers are listening, with Lenovo seemingly eager to emulate the Steam Deck’s success by switching sides on at the least certainly one of its upcoming Legion handhelds.
Not too long ago, X consumer evleaks shared renders of an unannounced Legion handheld, which seems to be a black model of the white Legion Go S leaked earlier this 12 months. The system seems to be a big departure from Legion Go, on account of its lack of removable controllers and what seems to be a smaller touchpad. Nevertheless, essentially the most thrilling distinction is undoubtedly the presence of a Steam brand subsequent to its topmost left button.
There’s no signal of Legion Go’s ‘Legion House’ app icon, suggesting that this button’s operate will mirror that of the ‘Steam’ button on Steam Deck. After all, this might solely be the case if the system have been to make use of SteamOS, a prospect which Valve seems keen capitalise on and support.
What cements the concept that this Legion handheld will rock SteamOS as an alternative of Home windows, although, is Lenovo’s communication surrounding its CES 2025 plans. In an e mail despatched by the model to The Verge, it confirms that “particular visitors Valve” might be in attendance. Extra particularly, Valve SteamOS and Steam Deck co-designer Pierre-Loup Griffais. We’ll be taught extra earlier than or come January 7, 2025.
I’m intrigued to see how SteamOS will carry out and differ on different gadgets. Whereas it’s potential to put in comparable variations of Linux on current handhelds via Bazzite, this might be one of many first cases of the working system receiving an official launch outdoors of Valve’s ecosystem. Right here’s hoping a downloadable model I can pop on my desktop isn’t far behind.
Ought to Lenovo and Valve stick the touchdown, this might be a game-changing second for handhelds. Whereas I doubt it’s the one system that we’ll see pop up at CES 2025 with SteamOS, it for now stays essentially the most high-profile instance. Nevertheless, that is under no circumstances the tip for Home windows on this area and I count on we’ll see loads extra fashions emerge within the coming 12 months utilizing Microsoft’s working system.
Club386 might be at CES 2025, so you should definitely keep tuned for any bulletins from Lenovo and different heavy-hitters together with Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. Within the meantime, give the positioning a comply with on Google News to be sure you don’t miss any of our day by day information protection, in addition to opinions and different ideas on all issues tech.