What category should Steam Machine be classed under?

Which category?

  • PC

    Votes: 162 66.9%

  • Console

    Votes: 32 13.2%

  • Hybrid

    Votes: 48 19.8%
  • Total voters
    242
111.jpg

It's nonbinary.
 
It's a PC but I also think that sells it a bit short. The ease of use SteamOS brings and full controller support can't be understated.

It's not like plugging your PC ass PC into your living room TV.

Two totally different experiences.
 
It's a PC. You could also call it a home console shaped PC too.

In the same way Steamdeck is a PC too, and you can also call it portable console shaped PC, or handheld PC.

Other than this, PCs with this form factor have been called mini PCs or mini-ITX PCs during many years.
 
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Valve is marketing this as a console alternative and is aimed at gamers that are mainly in the console marketplace, so I would class it as a console. Then again, was the PS3 considered a PC back when you could enable otherOS and install Linux on it?
 
I'm classing it under Bombas. Without some killer exclusives apps a la HL3, I have a hard time believing this will do better than the 1st gen Steam machines.
 
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Parazels said:
Why couldn't a Linux-based OS be a console OS?
Click to expand...
It can be. But a console is locked down, this isn't. You can easily game and everything else on this like you can on any other PC ever. You can even dual boot Windows if you want.

It's a semi-custom SFF PC with SteamOS. You can install Bazzite (which looks and feels almost identical) on any PC out there, and then fully use them with your controller, that doesn't make them consoles.
 
yurinka said:
It uses PC hardware and runs PC OS, games and apps.
Plus it's open to install another OS or to customize it.


For a device to play games on a tv, and particularly approimatedly with these dimensions, yes.
Click to expand...
PCs can play games on a TV since always and can have any dimensions you want. Plus looks smaller than even the GameCube.
 
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Zathalus said:
It can be. But a console is locked down, this isn't. You can easily game and everything else on this like you can on any other PC ever. You can even dual boot Windows if you want.

It's a semi-custom SFF PC with SteamOS. You can install Bazzite (which looks and feels almost identical) on any PC out there, and then fully use them with your controller, that doesn't make them consoles.
Click to expand...
Come on, this thing is obviously made for plug and play gaming rather than for perversions like "dual boot" or "desktop mode"!
 
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Parazels said:
Come on, this thing is obviously made for plug and play gaming rather than for perversions like "dual boot" or "desktop mode!
Click to expand...
It's not plug and play gaming though. You still need to configure settings in your games. You're installing PC games. And switching to desktop mode is as simple as clicking a menu option.

You're failing to explain why this would be a console and any other PCs installed with a similar/same OS are not.
 
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ElFenomeno said:
No, but for me its a big part of it.
The freedom to customize it and install whatever you want makes it a PC.
Click to expand...
Not being able to swap out the GPU doesn't turn your Steam library into console games. You're running and playing PC games. You can adjust every little thing to your hearts content.
 
Astray said:
I am genuinely laughing rn at the black eye Valve just gave them lmao.

You know that discord server is fucking bu-zzzzzzz-ing rn.
Click to expand...

Watch DF's video on this announcement if you haven't yet.

Alex, who was a member of that infamous discord server, said he can't wait to get away from windows and will swap out his Series X for this device in his setup.

Scorned wife's revenge.
 
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it all depends on the price if this is a steam deck success or failure. most people on steam are running 1080p gpus. This is for those people.

I want one because I want a very small steam pc in my living room that can play most things or stream from my bigger pc in my office if need be, but only if the price is right.

no Playstation Killer option? :messenger_weary:
 
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