Now that the Xbox Full Screen Experience is available to other handhelds, I'd consider picking up this Windows 11 alternative

Hand holding Lenovo Legion Go S with Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay on screen featuring red sports car on road. — (Image credit: Phil Hayton)

Microsoft technically just turned most Windows 11 handhelds into an Xbox, and that includes the Lenovo Legion Go S. That's because its shiny new Full Screen Experience is now available on other portable PCs, and the free upgrade means I'd actually consider picking one up while it's cheaper for Black Friday.

I should stress that if you want a Lenovo Legion Go S for less and don't remotely care about easy access to Xbox perks like Game Pass, you'll want to stick with the SteamOS version. It's $449.99 at Best Buy right now, and it'll feel almost like a larger Steam Deck. Those of you who do need that extra level of PC storefront versatility will want to jump on the Windows 11 version while it's down to $579.99 at Amazon, though, especially given its new handheld mode.

Having already put the "Full Screen Experience" through its paces while testing the ROG Xbox Ally X, I do think it gives Windows 11 portables a better chance on the best gaming handheld battlefield. It largely addresses usability using a controller, and ditches the traditional desktop in favor of something more like a console interface.

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Close up of Xbox Game Bar in compact mode on Lenovo Legion Go S screen — (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)

It's basically a response to Valve's SteamOS, which has effectively allowed handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED to flourish and sets the stage for the upcoming Steam Machine console alternative. Microsoft sat on its handheld optimizations for a while, which is why many of my reviews are critical of the operating system, but the experience will be much slicker now that the perks are available to other portables.

Of course, you're still talking $130 of a difference between the SteamOS and Windows 11 versions, so the former is a better deal on paper. Keep in mind that the Xbox Full Screen experience is pretty much just a refined version of the existing PC app with a few extra menus to accommodate specific handheld settings and controller-friendly functions for closing and launching games.

Deciding between the two actually comes down to whether you value Windows 11's original advantage - compatibility. As much as I love SteamOS, its Linux foundations mean it's not going to run everything guaranteed, whereas Microsoft's OS will technically handle everything your rig can, provided you meet system requirements. That translates to having access to every storefront you can think of, like the Epic Game Store, Game Pass, and GOG, without any workarounds or third-party installs.

Lenovo Legion Go S handheld with Xbox app open on screen — (Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)

That's not to say the SteamOS version can't also tap into these storefronts, but performance can vary, and you will need to jerry-rig some apps to work with its Wine Linux compatibility layer. Using Windows 11 saves you from caring about any of that, and while having to use a desktop environment would have previously been a con, the new Xbox handheld mode makes playing and installing more of a console-like experience.

I should highlight that if you want a fully fledged Microsoft console experience, the white ROG Xbox Ally is $599.99. For $30 more, you're getting controls that feel more like a controller thanks to the back grips and a dedicated Xbox button, but you'll be trading adjustable triggers and a larger 8-inch 1200p screen for Asus' 7-inch 1080p panel. You're actually still getting virtually the same specs between the two since they're both using a Ryzen Z2 APU, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, and both now have the Full Screen Experience.

I'm still not entirely happy with the state of handheld prices in 2025, and if I'm being real with you, I'd still keep a close eye on Black Friday Steam Deck deals. I do think a few of you out there will want to check out the Windows 11 Legion Go S while it's at its lowest, though, and those of you with a big Steam backlog can still fall back to the Valve-flavored model for under $500.

More handheld gaming PCs at Best Buy
Check out Steam Deck accessories at Amazon

Getting serious about the sales? Check out Black Friday retro deals for classic consoles and handhelds. For display discounts, you'll want to peek at Black Friday gaming monitor deals and Black Friday 120Hz 4K TV deals for panel price cuts as they land.

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Phil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar+ who specializes in retro console setups, choosing the latest gaming handhelds, and navigating the choppy seas of using modern-day PC hardware. In the past, they have covered everything from retro gaming history to the latest gaming news, in-depth features, and tech advice for publications like TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, PCGamesN, and Den of Geek. In their spare time, they pour hours into fixing old consoles, modding Game Boys, exploring ways to get the most out of the Steam Deck, and blasting old CRT TV visuals into their eye sockets.

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