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[LectureMaster]

Valve's own words. Don't believe they tend to compete with any console makers.

 

[Hookshot]

Steam is the biggest store front so will it's weaker specs lead to less intense PC games being made?

 

[GHound]

It's a streaming cube.

 

[Guilty_AI]

Are we trying to figure out whether to include it in future console wars?

I'd say yes if only for the potential fun to be had

 

[Guilty_AI]

It's a streaming cube.

*steaming

 

[Guilty_AI]

Steam is the biggest store front so will it's weaker specs lead to less intense PC games being made?

Most played steam games are already on the less intensive side

 

[MisterXDTV]

Steam is the biggest store front so will it's weaker specs lead to less intense PC games being made?

Games are made for Playstation first even today, that's the main market for developers

PC is an afterthought as PC doesn't actually mean anything: a million different configurations are possible

 

[Hohenheim]

It's a PC so... PC.

 

[IDKFA]

What makes it a PC???

Valve said it is.

Also, you can use it for other tasks. For example You can open a terminal, install packages, edit configs, run servers, and treat it like any Linux computer.

You can install another OS if you want.

You can run other applications, such as LibreOffice, Blender, do a spot of Python coding if that's your thing.

It's a PC running off Linux. A PC doesn't equal Windows.

 

[RoadHazard]

So if some shop sells a pre build PC with Windows/Linux and Steam booting directly in Big Picture mode, with a controller, it will magically be a hybrid???


Consoles invented "cubes" shapes??

Console-sized gaming PCs are a pretty recent thing, yes.

And this thing is definitely evocative of both the GameCube and the XSX.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Console-sized gaming PCs are a pretty recent thing, yes.

Which console size?? PSX?? og Xbox?? XBOX?? PS5?? Mini Snes??

 

[RoadHazard]

Which console size?? og Xbox?? XBOX?? PS5??

Come on, the size and shape of this device is obviously more "console" than "gaming PC". That's the whole point, you're supposed to have it under your TV like a console etc.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Come on, the size and shape of this device is obviously more "console" than "gaming PC". That's the whole point, you're supposed to have it under your TV like a console etc.

How is more the shape of consoles?? PC cases normally are just " stretched cubes".

While consoles can have shapes like this:

What is closer to an almost literally cube???

 

[RoadHazard]

How is more the shape of consoles?? PC cases normally are just " stretched cubes".

While consoles can have shapes like this:

What is closer to an almost literaly cube???

Shape AND size.

 

[Kokoloko85]

Hybrid. Like the Steamdeck.

"And its a PC." Doesn't mean its only a PC lol

If PC, why not PC shaped

 

[Montauk]

extremely funny thread

 

[rodrigolfp]

Shape AND size.

It's a console-shaped PC.

 

[John Bilbo]

It's funny, because I know this is a thing but it's always been very silly to me. You call things console and PCs.

They are both computers.

Console vs PC is a social construct.

All video games are computer games.

True.

Also video games have always been digital whether they come on a floppy disk, cartridge or are downloaded to your hard drive.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Ouyalike

 

[Fess]

It's a PC. Could even install Windows and Playnite on it and get access to all the stores.
Disappointingly specs but otherwise it's very interesting, looks nice, I could easily see some friends buy this instead of a console. Pricing is extremely important though. If it's above $500 it'll bomb.

 

[Durin]

It's a PC, in a console form factor, with a UI front-end like a console, and convenience features like a console (suspend state, display-off updates, etc.).

 

[RoadHazard]

It's funny, because I know this is a thing but it's always been very silly to me. You call things console and PCs.

They are both computers.

Console vs PC is a social construct.

All video games are computer games.

"Video game consoles are a specialized form of home computer geared towards video game playing, designed with affordability and accessibility to the general public in mind, but lacking in raw computing power and customization. Simplicity is achieved in part through the use of game cartridges or other simplified methods of distribution, easing the effort of launching a game."

Yes, consoles are computers, but not all computers are consoles.

 

[Mr Moose]

Come on, the size and shape of this device is obviously more "console" than "gaming PC". That's the whole point, you're supposed to have it under your TV like a console etc.

Steam thing looks more like a fatter mini PC.

 

[Kacho]

Ouyalike

 

[Horseganador]

Valve says it's a PC directly, they don't need to spout nonsense about hybrids and things like Xbox.

 

[IDKFA]

It's funny, because I know this is a thing but it's always been very silly to me. You call things console and PCs.

They are both computers.

Console vs PC is a social construct.

All video games are computer games.

Not really.

A computer is any device that processes data according to its software. In that regard, yes they're both computers.

However, both are very different.

A "PC" is the term for a general-purpose computer (like Windows desktops, laptops, or Macs) that can run a wide range of software and not just games. On a PC you can run Excel, SQL, code via Python, do some data engineering work, write documents. It can run web servers, machine learning tools, 3D modeling, video editing etc etc.

A console plays games and plays media. It cannot do a fraction of the things you can do with a PC. Not even close. A console is good for gaming. That's it. People only buy consoles for gaming, but a PC could be purchased and used for a vast number of reasons.

So yes, both computers, but both very different in what they can do.

 

[Ozzie666]

I get the feeling anyone who doesn't obviously know it's a PC outright, is just an xbox fan trying to spin some narrative for the future.
It's a PC end of story, if you don't understand that, your in the wrong hobby or trolling.

 

[twilo99]

Valve said it is.

Also, you can use it for other tasks. For example You can open a terminal, install packages, edit configs, run servers, and treat it like any Linux computer.

You can install another OS if you want.

You can run other applications, such as LibreOffice, Blender, do a spot of Python coding if that's your thing.

It's a PC running off Linux. A PC doesn't equal Windows.

So the difference is in the software? I'm so confused about this console vs. personal computer thing since a console is also a computer and it feels rather personal but who knows!


I'd put windows 11 on this immediately and get rid of whatever ugly Linux distro they've got it ruining on

 

[The_Mike]

Can I put another operating system and do 'whatever' i want? It's a PC (a mini pc, by the way... and already has some older specs...)

You can do whatever you want yeah

 

[damidu]

can be classified as DOA.
i guess next xbox can finally sell more than something else.
there's that at least

 

[IDKFA]

So the difference is in the software? I'm so confused about this console vs. personal computer thing since a console is also a computer and it feels rather personal but who knows!


I'd put windows 11 on this immediately and get rid of whatever ugly Linux distro they've got it ruining on

Software plays a big part, but not the only difference.

PCs are open systems. You can crack them open and replace parts, or even buy the parts and custom build your own. You can't do that on a console as it's a closed system.

Same with the software. You can't change the OS on a console, but you can on a PC. If you don't like Windows you can install a version of Linux or vice versa.

 

[RoadHazard]

Steam thing looks more like a fatter mini PC.

Yeah, and those are inspired by how consoles have been looking for several decades.

 

[Parazels]

Valve says it's a PC directly, they don't need to spout nonsense about hybrids and things like Xbox.

My grandma and I struggle to understand how a compact gaming device with a gamepad is not a console.

 

[pudel]

My grandma and I struggle to understand how a compact gaming device with a gamepad is not a console.

No one would call a raspberry pi a console...and its very compact, plays games and you can simply slap a gamepad on it.

A console is usually more of a very closed walled garden with one big company gatekeeping it and it can be used only for gaming...nothing else. The steambox you can use for everything...even just as a server or whatever you need it for. Its a mini pc....not really a very new concept: https://www.csl-computer.com/en/mini-pcs?___store=csl_english&___from_store=csl_german

 

[Parazels]

No one would call a raspberry pi a console...and its very compact, plays games and you can simply slap a gamepad on it.

A console is usually more of a very closed walled garden with one big company gatekeeping it and it can be used only for gaming...nothing else. The steambox you can use for everything...even just as a server or whatever you need it for. Its a mini pc....not really a very new concept: https://www.csl-computer.com/en/mini-pcs?___store=csl_english&___from_store=csl_german

The Steam console is obviously a gaming device, just like other consoles. Nobody promotes it as a tool for Excel or video editing.

 

[pudel]

The Steam console is obviously a gaming device, just like other consoles. Nobody promotes it as a tool for Excel or video editing.

Its promoted exactly as a pc. Get over it, mate!