At $549, Lenovo’s Legion Go S gaming handheld is suddenly a good deal

The price of the Steam Deck OLED with 512GB of storage has skyrocketed from $549 to $789 this week, making it even more inaccessible to those waiting for it to restock after months of unavailability. In a twist of fate, this sudden price surge has made Lenovo's Legion Go S gaming handheld a relatively attractive option. The device is currently available at Woot for $549.99, down from its original price of $729.99.

A year ago, this deal might not have turned heads, but in today's market, it's a different story. The Legion Go S didn't exactly win us over at launch, partly due to its hefty price tag. While Sean praised its stunning 8-inch 120Hz screen and ergonomic design, which surpasses many gaming handhelds, including the Steam Deck, the cost seemed unjustified given its performance was inconsistent compared to Valve's offering.

Additionally, it launched during a tumultuous time for Windows 11 in handheld mode, though things have somewhat improved since. While we can't wholeheartedly endorse the Legion Go S, these unusual times call for exceptions. We'd be more inclined to recommend the version equipped with the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, which showed performance gains of 10 to 40 percent over the Ryzen Z2 Go, depending on the game.

However, the $1,452.99 price tag at Lenovo's site is a hard sell. The current deal on the Legion Go S makes it a decent alternative for those in the market for a PC gaming handheld. It's worth considering, especially given the circumstances that have driven the Steam Deck's price out of reach for many.