Who is actually the target audience for the Steam Machine?
- Thread starter Shtof
- Start date
coffinbirth
Member
*Steam OS.
And yeah, as far as "popular" games go, it has atrocious compatibility.
PeteBull
Member
Thats fine, the thing is, if they were in need of such a mashine, they are perfectly viable options to build one right now for around 700$, with same/similar specs, hell rtx 3060 which has 4gigs more vram and isnt weaker in rt/ai was avaiable early 2021, yes it had 170W tdp vs 115W which SM gpu has but u can downclock it/downvolt it and it will work exactly like that SM, in small factor pc case xD
TLDR: If some1 had such need like u mentioned and he already had high end pc- he could build/buy SM alike smallfactor pc already, he doesnt have to wait till 2026 SM launch to have one =D
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Yes. Roblox, Minecraft, WoW, LoL, Fortnite, Valorant.
Rambone
Member
You're right, hooking up a laptop, desktop, or mini‑PC to a TV is technically easy, and plenty of companies already sell compact systems. But "easy" doesn't always mean "ideal."
The difference with a Steam Machine is that it isn't just about making the connection, it's about delivering a console‑like experience. Instead of juggling Windows menus, scaling quirks, or noisy fans, you get a device that boots straight into your Steam library, is optimized for controllers, and fits seamlessly into your entertainment center. It's the difference between duct‑taping a PC into your living room versus owning a purpose‑built console that speaks fluent PC.
And when it comes to performance, the pricing gap is real. If you actually want 4K at 60 FPS in modern games with fewer compromises, laptops capable of it typically start around $1,200 to $2,000, while mini‑PCs with discrete GPUs or the latest Ryzen AI MAX chips often run $900 to $1,500. Steam Machines cut out the productivity overhead and portability tax; you're paying directly for living‑room gaming performance, in a compact, quiet box designed for the couch. Sure, you could build a small‑form‑factor rig that matches or beats it, but that usually means higher cost, more noise, or extra effort to achieve the same living‑room fit.
A Steam Machine, sold at the right price, isn't just another PC, it redefines living‑room gaming by combining convenience, performance, and quality of life in one package.
Do they need to compete with PlayStation and Nintendo? Sony and Nintendo need people to buy their systems, so games are developed for them and they get a cut of 3rd party sales along with their 1st party developed games. Valve has been getting a huge amount of that 3rd party revenue well before they put out any hardware.
If nothing else. The Steam Machine will get a price/performance floor. And other companies can offer products with more performance, but Valve will still end up getting sales for games played on many of them. Heck they might even ship with Steam OS loaded.
There were PC gaming handhelds before the Steam Deck, and more powerful ones released after. Still none compare in terms of units sold, I'd wager all other gaming handhelds combined would have less than 1/2 of the Deck's total units sold.
For anyone complaining it's not powerful enough, that's fine. It's not for you. Go buy or build a better PC. It's for people who are curious about PC gaming but want an simpler console like experience. Outside of 1st party Nintendo games, the exclusives for consoles dwindle by the day. Are you sure the games in your digital library will be downloadable and playable on the latest hardware? I can still download and play Half-Life 2 which I bought 21 years ago on Steam to whatever PC I choose to play it on. People are even still playing HL2's multiplayer all these years later, and I can jump right in a play. Without having to pay an extra fee for online multiplayer access.
TintoConCasera
I bought a sex doll, but I keep it inflated 100% of the time and use it like a regular wife
Call me crazy but I think it's for people who likes playing videogames.
DarkJedi24
Member
It's targeting the majority of the PC gaming market, which, contrary to what the enthusiast crowd perceives, is general low end/entry level kit intended for indie and F2P games. Valve explicitly states that their own survey was used as the benchmark for the hardware, and if it's priced accordingly, could be a great first step to get buyers into the Steam ecosystem.
Sinozen
Member
I have a Steam Deck. It is my sole gaming device. I'm having a hard time figuring out why I should care about their Steam machine? I mean it's 6x more powerful, but I don't need the power. I want convenience and I can already just plug my Deck up to the TV.
I'm thinking this is just Valve putting stuff out there to support the ecosystem. Some console gamers might want something like this, but it doesn't need to sell. It simply exists for the Steam ecosystem.
I'm thinking this is just Valve putting stuff out there to support the ecosystem. Some console gamers might want something like this, but it doesn't need to sell. It simply exists for the Steam ecosystem.
FoxMcChief
Gold Member
I think I might be. I'm not saying I will but "this" steam machine, but maybe a different one down the road.
I miss PC gaming, but the feeling to keep upgrading components became an addiction like feeling. OCD like. And knowing there was a part out there that was better than was in my pc, made me not even want to play on my pc.
I miss PC gaming, but the feeling to keep upgrading components became an addiction like feeling. OCD like. And knowing there was a part out there that was better than was in my pc, made me not even want to play on my pc.
salva
Member
If there's a digital library I don't mind growing is my Steam one. Xbox less so, Nintendon't definitely not.
While the Steam Machine should be set and forget, when I had my Steam Deck there were certain things that didn't "just work" and needed some tinkering. I don't mind, but the average person would probably hate it.
I'm sure we'll get inundated with comparisons at some stage, but the biggest factor is price, and whether it would be "cheaper" or more worthwhile in building my own AMD-based computer and load up SteamOS on it to get better performance/price. That would be my decider... all depends on what Valve sets the price for the Steam Machine.
Topher
Identifies as young
lastmessiah
Member
Everyone is overthinking this and trying to make it about consoles for some reason. Valve is a small company that is selling hardware through their website. They are for people who game on Steam. Steam users don't care about how this compares to consoles. It is not going to be sitting on some dingy Walmart shelf to be pawed at by the unwashed masses.
Sir Vilhelm
Member
I use my Steam Deck 95% of the time docked to my 65" TV. I'll absolutely buy the Steam Machine to replace that. I've been an Xbox fan since the launch of the 360, but Microsoft has been disappointing me lately, and I'm no longer willing to pay a premium for Game Pass.
Jormatar
Member
This has to be at least 100 bucks less than PS5 since its specs suck ass.
Imagine releasing console in 2025 for audience which are all most likely using it on a big TV screen and they are stuck with 1080p if they want 60+fps for most games. Can this even run shit like Fortnite 120fps like PS5 already does?
Unless Valve really nails the price, I think this will be a massive flop and really makes you think what they were thinking in the first place.
Imagine releasing console in 2025 for audience which are all most likely using it on a big TV screen and they are stuck with 1080p if they want 60+fps for most games. Can this even run shit like Fortnite 120fps like PS5 already does?
Unless Valve really nails the price, I think this will be a massive flop and really makes you think what they were thinking in the first place.
Topher
Identifies as young
Steam Deck docked to a 65". How was that for you?
lastmessiah
Member
Uh, you realize that the consoles aren't actually rendering at 4K on a big TV? Not even close. Sometimes they don't even render at true 1080p.
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Sinfulgore
Member
Tech enthusiasts/streamers who buy all new tech but will probably never use it after a few months. Also, uninformed gamers who don't really know what they're buying.
irrefleumas
Member
Their audience
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Avid Reading Horse
Member
Xbox refugees and other assorted brokies. Along with Cult of Gabe members. I might consider grabbing it as a standalone VR box but we'll see.
Pimpbaa
Member
No one is running at high native resolutions with modern games. If you are not using DLSS on your nvidia card on pc (which a lot use to upscale from stuff like 1080p) then you are doing it wrong. What matters is the final output. FSR on console not as good of course, but if the PSSR update on the PS5 Pro ends up being good. And the PS6 improves on that even more, what that native resolution of games will be even more meaningless.
Aurelius
Member
I am excited for this.
I'm a long time console gamer but I bought a Steamdeck at the beginning of the year. My kids took over the Switch and I wanted to (re)play some old games like XCom, OutRun2, HL2 and Max Payne 3 and dip my toe in the world of emulation. And I have to say it has mostly been a great experience. I was dreading the tinkering, but there is such a big community and a wealth of information (step-by-step YouTube video's for example) that I mostly succeeded without too much stress. What was also very appealing was the Steam store. The deep discounts, the ability to get refunds with no questions asked, free MP without a subscription service. While it hasn't totally replaced my PS5. New games like Final Fantasy Rebirth of Expedition 33 are often too compromised graphically to run on the Steamdeck (I refuse to play games on low settings). But for indie games and older games it has been really great. It was my Dave the Diver machine for a while, and now I'm playing Borderlands 2 maxed out at 120fps(!). And that game was a freeby on the Steam Store.
Anyways, if the Gabecube is 6x as powerful as the steamdeck, and I can play games on it on the TV or stream them on my steamdeck, that means I can basically play all the games from 2024-2025 that are still on my PS5 wishlist. And on top of that, good emulation of PS3, Xbox360 and PS4 games should be possible.
And as a 50 year old gamer, the wood paneling option is very appealing to me.
I'm a long time console gamer but I bought a Steamdeck at the beginning of the year. My kids took over the Switch and I wanted to (re)play some old games like XCom, OutRun2, HL2 and Max Payne 3 and dip my toe in the world of emulation. And I have to say it has mostly been a great experience. I was dreading the tinkering, but there is such a big community and a wealth of information (step-by-step YouTube video's for example) that I mostly succeeded without too much stress. What was also very appealing was the Steam store. The deep discounts, the ability to get refunds with no questions asked, free MP without a subscription service. While it hasn't totally replaced my PS5. New games like Final Fantasy Rebirth of Expedition 33 are often too compromised graphically to run on the Steamdeck (I refuse to play games on low settings). But for indie games and older games it has been really great. It was my Dave the Diver machine for a while, and now I'm playing Borderlands 2 maxed out at 120fps(!). And that game was a freeby on the Steam Store.
Anyways, if the Gabecube is 6x as powerful as the steamdeck, and I can play games on it on the TV or stream them on my steamdeck, that means I can basically play all the games from 2024-2025 that are still on my PS5 wishlist. And on top of that, good emulation of PS3, Xbox360 and PS4 games should be possible.
And as a 50 year old gamer, the wood paneling option is very appealing to me.
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GermanZepp
Member
i think its awesome, i don't know about prices and specs, but if i didn't have a pc i surely bite for a steam machine. The controller and the VR headset looks dope as well
playbignbox
Member
Gamers
kindaGoth
Member
Guys I have no console and no PC and am overwhelmed with choice at this point. I mostly just want to play Death Stranding 2, Delta, Ninja Gaiden 4 and then be able to do video calls and record music.
Is there a pc that can do all that at good quality frame rate and graphics and even connect to my Sony tv so I don't need a monitor?
Is there a pc that can do all that at good quality frame rate and graphics and even connect to my Sony tv so I don't need a monitor?
CrimsonTide
Gold Member
If I had nothing
I would 100% get a Steam machine
You get to play Sony and Microsoft games and still can play all the PC indie gems that never make it to console
Plus emulation for every game made
Death Stranding 2 no doubt will come to PC next summer btw
CHEAP deals on games too
Or just build a custom PC if you want to DIY
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PendekarRajawali
Member
Players who hate multiplayer subscriptions?
MidGenRefresh
*Refreshes biennially
HerjansEagleFeeder
Member
You don't want to actually work on a TV screen, your eyes will hate you for that. Not even the newest 4:4:4 OLED panels provide a proper image quality for long sessions of work, which you'll certainly have when you're recording music.
Minsc
Gold Member
I don't think this is true, because plenty of people who wanted a more complete 30-40" monitor with proper VRR and inputs have gone the route of using a ~40" LG HDTV as a monitor placed a few extra feet back on their desk wall instead of on the desk itself.
Minsc
Gold Member
As for me, my interest in this device is with SteamOS, and eventually getting that to replace Windows for me, so this is the first step.
I think as SteamOS continues to develop, the benefit of having the SteamOS features built in to your "console" or PC will be more and more appealing.
I think as SteamOS continues to develop, the benefit of having the SteamOS features built in to your "console" or PC will be more and more appealing.
HerjansEagleFeeder
Member
There's certaintly some subjective aspect to it and some people might make it "work" for them.
That being said, there is a list of objective technical differences between TV and monitor panels, and the monitors are designed for work while the TVs are not.
I am currently working on an LG OLED TV from 2023 and the experience in horrible compared to my 34" ultrawide monitor (which isn't even high end but a cheap IPS one).
Minsc
Gold Member
Yeah, I have a 32" OLED monitor myself, and it may as well be a small HDTV, it's got the same exact UI as my 65" HDTV (both Samsung). The monitor is a full fledged smart HDTV too can run without a PC and use every app a new HDTV would, but I guess it's a monitor first.
I think I typically see it as a recommended solution for people who want to game on their PCs, and still want to be able to use it as a PC. I imagine if you're primarily running games on the display, even text heavy RPG/MMOs, it's still a great solution, or even more so if you run more traditional games (FPS,TPS,Fighters,etc).
I considered it myself, because the lack of eARC options on PC monitors hurts and generally HDTVs provide much better input features and better UIs (like being able to display the current framerate, res, etc), but ultimately couldn't quite get anything small enough for me in HDTV form, so had to go with a monitor class display.