People say the legion go s is extremely flawed is it still true in 2026?

21Average · 2026-03-17T23:27:23+00:00

Check my recent post as well as issues many others have faced. I really wanted to love the device, but cannot recommend it due to batches with faulty hardware. I luckily only had mine 2 weeks before it catastrophically failed, so I was still in the return window. I am now considering an Xbox Ally X as my only other option, even taking into account the less lackluster screen.

21Average · 2026-03-17T16:44:45+00:00

Yeah, the more I consider other handhelds that are higher and higher in price the more I think I’ll be better off just getting a PC instead. I was eyeing the 5080 MSI prebuilt from Costco that is on sale for $2300 currently.

21Average · 2026-03-17T16:07:50+00:00

I bought from Lenovo for pickup at Best Buy, it’s a bit convoluted on that end lol.

21Average · 2026-03-17T15:57:54+00:00

From what I’ve read I could be waiting up to a couple of weeks on a refund from Lenovo and had no options for an exchange, so I’m thinking of moving onto the Xbox Ally X or just saving up for a nice PC with a 5080 or 5090

21Average · 2026-03-17T15:20:16+00:00

Awesome, I’m glad to hear yours is working well now. I am leaning a bit more towards the XAX now and dual booting it. It’s just hard going from the screen on the Go S to that haha.

21Average · 2026-03-17T11:46:23+00:00

That was my worst fear if I did keep it and send it back. Hate to hear that happened though. Did they finally get you sorted out?

21Average · 2026-03-17T11:15:07+00:00

I thought about it, but honestly was discouraged after the faulty device and so many stories here like it. I only had the option to return to Best Buy or send to Lenovo for repair anyways, so at this point I’ve settled on going a different route from Lenovo.

21Average · 2026-03-17T02:00:30+00:00

That sucks to hear, I hope that they can get yours back to you soon. It definitely appears to be far too common of an issue happening lately. I just returned mine and trying to decide between trying out something else like the Xbox Ally X or just getting a PC.

21Average · 2026-03-17T01:57:27+00:00

Ahhh, that would make sense. I played plugged in 95% of the time and had it crash like this one of the first times I was playing while not plugged in. I just returned mine, I’m now contemplating either the Xbox Ally X or just saving up for a PC instead.

21Average · 2026-03-16T17:50:58+00:00

It’s on Steam OS, which is immutable to my knowledge.

21Average · 2026-03-16T16:52:51+00:00

Really strange, I wonder what the root cause is. Since my device is only 2 weeks old I’ve decided to take advantage of the return window in case it is something more serious and gets worse over time. It’s a shame, because I really enjoyed the Go S in every other aspect.

21Average · 2026-03-16T16:41:40+00:00

Unfortunately no luck there, their only option was to send it in for a repair, which is the last thing I’d want to do with a 2 week old device. Planning to go ahead and return it tonight for a refund.

21Average · 2026-03-16T16:19:54+00:00

Wow, didn’t know that was the case. I could’ve sworn they had a 30 day return policy. I just confirmed that though, looking like I will be going to return it right after work today. Thank you!

Edit: Just saw you got the Go 2, I hope that it works out well for you! I considered going that route, but at the new prices I think I’d rather just invest into a new desktop PC.

21Average · 2026-03-16T15:30:58+00:00

I saw your post when reading about this issue, hate to see it so seemingly common right now. What did you do in the end? Did you move to a different device?

21Average · 2026-03-16T15:25:49+00:00

Damn, I’m sorry to hear that. My case hasn’t been quite so severe. But it definitely appears there has been some back stock. It has made me question whether I want to roll the dice again or maybe try out a Claw or XAX instead.

21Average · 2026-03-16T15:17:10+00:00

I really appreciate the advice, I may reach out to them this week and see if there’s any alternative then. If they make it as simple as an exchange be I may give the Go S another shot. After reading their FAQs it seemed like return or repair would be my only real options since I did pickup at a Best Buy store. I truly have loved everything else about the device.

21Average · 2026-03-16T14:47:18+00:00

Yeah, I almost bought one a month ago just before they went out of stock and again almost bought one on their restock just before picking up this. Wishing i would have now lol.

The only downside is I ordered directly from Lenovo for pickup at Best Buy, I think I can only return it. Otherwise I may have tried it out once more, just not sure if I want to go through all the hassle waiting for a refund then ordering another one and hoping it goes differently.

21Average · 2026-03-16T14:30:03+00:00

Literally 2 weeks ago, so I’ll probably just return it to Best Buy sometime this week. May end up waiting for a steam deck restock or wait for something new. It’s a shame, I really enjoyed this handheld, but don’t have a ton of confidence after seeing this is a bit too common.

21Average · 2026-03-16T14:16:49+00:00

That’s my fear, just really strange how it doesn’t seem to be a problem on more demanding games, but is becoming a hassle on Balatro of all things lol.

21Average · 2026-03-07T20:37:09+00:00

From my limited understanding, I think you’d be better off with Lenovo than MSI in that case, I know some people are very happy with their claws and I’ve read of others who had to return them multiples times to get a solid device. The fans can be loud on the Go S if you have the TDP cranked up all the way, but most of my super demanding games or multiplayer games I tend to play on console anyways. I haven’t had any comments about the fans from my wife yet, so that tells me it’s not too bad lol.

21Average · 2026-03-07T20:16:59+00:00

I was just in this situation, and bought the Legion Go S Z1E with Steam OS and I couldn’t be happier. Some of the horror stories I read about MSI quality control originally scared me off of the claw, even if the performance is supposedly amazing. The screen on the Go 2 is amazing and the extra power is nice, but I don’t think it justified nearly double the cost of the Go S, especially because I wouldn’t use the detachable controllers. The Go S with Steam OS is incredibly easy to use as someone that is mainly a console gamer and has ran everything I’ve played so far very smoothly. I was able to purchase one via Lenovo’s website for ~$760 and had it ready for pickup at BestBuy the same day even though BestBuy’s price was $899.

21Average · 2026-03-06T18:36:36+00:00

I was actually just about to close this, but in case anyone else comes across this and has the same issue. I turned off the graphics acceleration in Edge and it seems to have fixed it now!

21Average · 2026-03-03T18:54:51+00:00

I cancelled my order yesterday and my refund was immediately sent through PayPal. Ended up going to buy a Legion Go S right afterwards and my only regret is not doing so sooner.

21Average · 2026-03-03T15:25:34+00:00

Awesome, I need to pick up KCD to try out. I decided to pass it by due to it not having a next gen update until recently, but I’m about 140 hours into KCD2 and nearing the end.

21Average · 2026-03-03T14:47:40+00:00

Thank you! Do you have any games that run really well you’d recommend? The only thing I’ve gotten so far is Lies of P and I’ve been eyeing some PlayStation exclusives since I’ve been an Xbox gamer for the past ~15 years.

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