Using Steam OS as a Desktop: My Experience with the Legion Go S as a Work PC

Sure thing. Here it is:

Okay, so let’s get something out of the way: Linux and I? We’re not exactly BFFs. I mean, I grew up poking around on IBM PC-DOS, then awkwardly danced my way through every flavor of Windows (except that odd ME sibling nobody really likes to talk about). Macs joined my tech directory in 2009 thanks to an OS X Leopard — no clue why I remember that. But Linux? Nope. Didn’t touch it.

So when Lenovo lent me their Legion Go S — this quirky handheld gaming gizmo — I figured, why not throw Linux into the mix? Play around a bit. Oh, and see if it’ll let me write up a review for the Asus ROG Strix G16. Yep, nothing like diving into the deep end of a tech pool without knowing how to swim. Here’s my tale, raw and unfiltered.

The KDE Plasma Adventure

Alrighty, so the Legion Go S likes to kick things off with SteamOS. Because gamers. (I’m not one, but I digress). Yet, there’s a hidden treasure: KDE Plasma. Says it’s for “productivity,” whatever that means these days. Press the power button for a few secs, and voila, you’re in. It’s like a secret mode — feels kinda magical.

Now my mission: browsing, typing away my woes, editing some snazzy photos, and wrangling files from USB thingamajigs. But there’s a catch. Two measly USB-C ports. Yeah, I know — a bit tight for space, right?

Tried navigating purely with touch. No dice. It’s like asking a cat to swim. Fine for basic stuff but not cut out for heavy-duty typing. So, I rummaged for my loyal Logitech stuff — a wireless keyboard and mouse ensemble I snagged from Target on a whim.

Immediate hiccup: USB-A receiver meets USB-C ports. Classic square peg, round hole scenario. Dodged that bullet by finding an adapter from my box of random tech rejects. As soon as I plugged them in, KDE Plasma and I bonded a little. Almost like it wanted to be friends.

Conquering App Installs

Getting online was a breeze thanks to that initial SteamOS setup. First up: web browser scouting. Call me old-fashioned, but Edge is my jam. Passwords, logins, the whole shebang synced to my Microsoft Account. I fumble through this stuff so streamlined is good.

Now, about that Edge download. You’d think I was downloading the entire internet. Crawled along at a painful 1.4 Mbps, as if my connection was powered by a hamster on a wheel. Go figure.

Finally got online, then panic — no adjustable kickstand on this thing. Seriously? But let’s not get dramatic; it stood upright like a good soldier. On the flip side, even a sneeze could topple it. Anyway, I decided my eyesight had a say (yay middle age) and connected a portable monitor. Espresso Displays 15 Pro for the win.

Of course, I ran into power issues. Legion Go S couldn’t power the monitor on its own. But hey, give up the monitor or mouse/keyboard combo? Decisions, decisions. Eventually, sorted it all out with some power magic and voila, productivity in glorious 4K.

Unforeseen Challenges (They Always Find Me)

Next, out came the FLIR C2 — my trusty heat camera. But like a tragic twist, the system throws a tantrum: touchpad equals instant reboot. What now? Juggle cables, play USB musical chairs — any USB port was a hot commodity.

Last mad dash: grab photos backed up on Google Photos with their cloud sorcery. For editing, GIMP was the go-to, and I guess it’s alright. I prefer Pixelmator Pro because it’s snug on my MacBook, but we work with what we have.

The Big Picture (Kinda)

Let’s wrap up this chaotic journey. Was it perfect? Far from it. Did it do the job? Yeah, mostly. Minus the touchpad drama, KDE Plasma behaved itself. I plugged and played with gadgets, accessed my go-to sites, typed some words, cursed some, and survived.

Final thoughts: using Legion Go S like this isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s no productivity powerhouse. But if you’re into adventure with a sprinkle of frustration, it’s a ride worth trying. Maybe next time, I’ll think twice. Or not. Life’s too short.

Enjoy or… not? Whatever works.