Lenovo Legion Go 2 Gets SteamOS Option at CES 2026

Lenovo has officially revealed a SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 at CES 2026 in Las Vegas. This announcement comes as a direct response to the limitations users experienced with the Windows 11 version, which launched in September 2025.

The new handheld retains the high-end specifications of its predecessor, including the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, up to 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. The primary difference is the operating system, which allows users to bypass the Windows desktop entirely. Lenovo claims that SteamOS has been optimized to make full use of the hardware, potentially offering better performance than the original model.

Interestingly, the SteamOS model will start at $1,199, which is $100 more expensive than the original Windows model. While no release date has been provided yet, this move signals a growing trend of manufacturers adopting Linux-based operating systems for gaming-centric handhelds.

Lenovo took the stage at CES 2026 in Las Vegas to announce the Legion Go 2 with SteamOS. The original device, released just months prior in September 2025, was described as an "extremely premium handheld gaming PC." However, it was widely held back by its reliance on Windows 11.

The new version aims to fix this by offering a factory-installed Linux-based alternative. The hardware specifications remain identical to the original release:

• AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip
• Up to 32GB of RAM
• Up to 2TB SSD storage

Physically, the device sees minor adjustments. The menu buttons have been realigned to match the layout found on the Steam Deck and the Legion Go S. This suggests Lenovo is standardizing its control schemes across its handheld lineup to improve user familiarity.

The shift to SteamOS addresses a significant pain point for handheld gamers: the user interface. Windows 11 is not optimized for controller-only navigation, making it difficult to use without a keyboard and mouse. While Microsoft introduced the Xbox Full Screen Experience to mitigate this, many users feel SteamOS still offers a superior experience.

For existing owners of the original Legion Go 2, installing a Linux-based OS like SteamOS is possible but requires a "laborious process" involving the installation of Linux. The out-of-the-box solution ensures that new buyers will never have to interact with the Windows desktop.

Lenovo claims that the operating system has been specifically optimized to maximize the potential of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip. If the performance gains are similar to those observed with the Legion Go S—which launched in June 2025 with Linux support—the device could see a noticeable boost in gaming efficiency.

The SteamOS version of the Legion Go 2 will carry a starting price of $1,199. This is $100 more than the launch price of the original Windows 11 model released in September 2025.

This price increase is notable because Valve does not charge licensing fees for SteamOS, unlike Microsoft fees for Windows 11. Typically, removing a paid operating system license should lower the manufacturing cost. However, the article notes that RAM is not getting more affordable, which may be influencing the final retail price. The specific starting configuration for the $1,199 price point has not yet been detailed.

This move by Lenovo suggests a broader industry shift. Following the success of the Legion Go S, the company is betting that gaming-centric Linux distributions offer a better experience for handhelds than traditional desktop operating systems, potentially influencing other manufacturers to follow suit.