Lenovo announces a SteamOS variant of the Legion Go 2, arriving in June starting at $1,199.
• Lenovo announced a SteamOS Legion Go 2 at CES 2026, arriving in June. • The SteamOS model starts at $1,199 and keeps the Legion Go 2 hardware. • The move broadens SteamOS options but targets a premium, heavier market.
Manufacturer/enthusiast: Lenovo and fans see the SteamOS Legion Go 2 as a high-performance, Valve-friendly handheld that extends the Steam Deck experience to more powerful hardware. Ecosystem/developer: Valve and some industry observers view expanding SteamOS to third-party and Arm devices as a way to grow the handheld PC ecosystem and encourage native compatibility across more hardware tiers. Consumer/critic: Some buyers will welcome the performance and Steam integration, while others will balk at the steep starting price, bulky 2.2-lb design, and the wait after the Windows launch.
Lenovo announced at CES 2026 that it will sell a SteamOS-powered version of the Legion Go 2, with availability expected in June and a starting price of $1,199 for the entry-level model; the SteamOS variant otherwise uses the same Legion Go 2 hardware (8.8-inch 1920×1200 OLED at 144Hz VRR, detachable controllers, kickstand, up to AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, up to 32GB RAM, up to 2TB SSD, and a 74Wh battery, weight ~2.2 lbs). [1][3] This is Lenovo’s second SteamOS handheld after the Legion Go S and fits into a gradual expansion of SteamOS beyond Valve’s own Deck: reporting notes that SteamOS has shown performance advantages over Windows on similar hardware and that Valve is taking steps to broaden SteamOS support (including future Arm-targeted releases), which could increase options for handheld buyers and manufacturers. The choice to ship SteamOS months after the Windows Legion Go 2 (released in October 2025) underscores Lenovo’s strategy of offering a premium, Valve-friendly alternative rather than a lower-cost Deck competitor, while analysts note that upcoming chips (e.g., Intel Panther Lake) and other high-performance handhelds will keep competition intense. [1][2] The Legion Go 2 Powered by SteamOS positions Lenovo as a major high-end Steam Deck alternative by combining flagship hardware with Valve’s handheld-focused software, but it does so at a premium price and larger form factor that will appeal more to enthusiasts than to budget-minded or ultra-portable buyers; buyers should weigh the SteamOS benefits (streamlined Steam integration and potential performance gains) against cost, weight, and the arrival timing. I attempted to access the Lifehacker link provided for additional commentary but was unable to open that URL during sourcing; the analysis above is based on the accessible Verge, Ars Technica, and Engadget coverage. [1][2][3]