How To Upgrade The SSD In Lenovo Legion Go S: A Deep Dive Into Repairability And Upgradability
Lenovo's unveiling of the Legion Go S at CES 2025 generated significant excitement, particularly regarding its commitment to user repairability. Unlike many handheld gaming PCs that treat internal components as sealed units, the Legion Go S allows for relatively straightforward SSD upgrades, a feature lauded by tech enthusiasts and repair advocates alike. This contrasts sharply with the trend of increasingly difficult-to-repair electronics, a practice often criticized for contributing to e-waste and limiting consumer choice.
The original Lenovo Legion Go, while possessing a user-accessible SSD slot, limited users to 2242-sized M.2 NVMe drives. While community workarounds existed involving modifications to the chassis, these methods carried risks, potentially compromising the device's cooling system and warranty. The Legion Go S, however, significantly expands user options by supporting both 2242 and 2280 drives, the latter being a far more common and readily available size. This broader compatibility translates to a wider selection of SSDs at potentially lower prices, making storage upgrades more accessible and cost-effective.
This move by Lenovo is not just a convenience; it represents a conscious shift towards greater user empowerment. The right to repair movement has gained considerable traction in recent years, pushing for legislation and manufacturer policies that prioritize repairability and extend the lifespan of electronic devices. By designing the Legion Go S with an easily accessible and upgradeable SSD, Lenovo directly addresses a key concern of this movement. This decision could be seen as a strategic move to attract environmentally conscious consumers and build brand loyalty by demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
"The move towards repairable devices is not merely a trend but a necessary evolution in the tech industry," says Dr. Anya Sharma, a professor of sustainable technology at the University of California, Berkeley. "By making devices easier to repair and upgrade, manufacturers can reduce e-waste, extend product lifecycles, and contribute to a more sustainable future."
The Legion Go S's design, however, isn't without some complexities. While the SSD upgrade process is relatively simple, cloning data from an existing SSD to a new one requires technical expertise or specialized software. Users unfamiliar with this process might prefer a clean installation of their operating system, which involves reinstalling software and transferring data manually. The inclusion of a microSD card slot offers an additional layer of storage flexibility, particularly for less demanding applications or games.
Beyond the SSD upgrade, the Legion Go S introduces several other noteworthy features. Depending on the model, it will utilize either the AMD Z2 or the lower-spec Z2 Go processor, and offer either an LCD or an OLED display. This range of specifications reflects a possible strategy of catering to different market segments and price points. A significant selling point is the availability of a SteamOS version, making it one of the first non-Steam Deck handhelds to offer the popular Linux-based operating system. The SteamOS version, set for release in May 2025, offers a distinct alternative to the Windows version. The possibility of converting a Windows-based Legion Go S to SteamOS later remains unconfirmed but is a tantalizing prospect for prospective buyers.
The upcoming refresh of the original Legion Go, featuring the AMD Z2 processor and an OLED panel, adds another dimension to the choice for consumers. This demonstrates Lenovo's commitment to iterating upon its handheld gaming PC design, offering various options to satisfy different user preferences and budgets. Whether the Legion Go S will completely replace the original Legion Go line remains uncertain. The two devices appear poised to coexist, catering to consumers who prioritize compactness (Go S) versus those who prefer the original's larger form factor and detachable controllers.
The Legion Go S's ease of repairability sets a positive precedent for the industry. While it is just one device in a vast market, its implications are far-reaching. It suggests a potential shift toward a more sustainable and user-friendly approach to electronics manufacturing. The success of the Legion Go S's repairable design could incentivize other manufacturers to adopt similar approaches, contributing to a more responsible and ethical technology ecosystem. The long-term impact will depend on consumer response and the wider adoption of similar practices by competitors. The coming years will be crucial in determining whether this initiative represents a genuine turning point in the industry's approach to repair and sustainability. The availability of easy-to-upgrade components contributes to an improved user experience and also allows for longer product lifecycles, a key factor in minimizing environmental impact and reducing e-waste.
