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[Felessan]

Surely they can limit the Steam Machine to 1 per active account that has spent X amount over the past year, or something like that.

Edit: to keep the price down

Majority of high spenders will not buy Steam Machine as they have better rig
It's clearly targeted to "70%" and those are low spenders and their LTV will never justify any reasonable subsidization

Restricting to last year spending with given specs will kill it completely

 

[Topher]

At 500 it should definitely sell a lot. Lots of people even the poorer folks would be able to afford it. People with stronger PC might still just get one as a backup thing or just to have a cool little box from Steam.

Rich - get it as a collectible

Middle - get it as a backup pc

Poor - get it as their main thing.

But once it hits the 700+ territory especially for the base model that's when the interest is lost for many.

It will probably sell out at $500 initially but follow a similar cadence as Steam Deck is what I'm thinking

 

[damidu]

Oh....switching to pricing now. Ok. Yeah....if it comes in over $500, I've already said it will be too expensive for what it is. Doesn't matter if it is "6 years after" or not. PC hardware isn't tied to console hardware cycle. That's been a known fact for ages, as is the fact that PCs are generally more expensive simply because they are not subsidized.

i didnt switch to anything lol, i initially replied to a post saying this'll be a 1080p device. no its a 4k device and it'll be worse at it than 6 years old consoles.
then you intercepted "consoles are already bad at it" like its some sort of excuse to release an inferior, more expensive box 6 years later.

 

[Tobimacoss]

I'm hoping Valve is doing this to try and encourage others like MSI, Lenovo, etc. to follow suit with beefier offerings. They will be more expensive, but still accomplishes the goal of getting wider Steam OS adoption.



You could use that same analogy to describe "Xbox" Rog Ally.

Only OEM that has shipped a SteamOS device is Lenovo and only on the midrange model as an option. Asus will likely never do it, they like the Xbox marketing too much.

If it can't run Epic then does that mean it also can't run Blizzard so no World of Warcraft or other blizzard games? Excluding Overwatch 2 on Steam.

IDK about WOW but it can't run COD games, either from Battle.net or Steam.

So no FortNite, no COD, no Battlefield, no Minecraft (Bedrock), no Gamepass, no GTA online, no Madden and EA FC. Arc Raiders runs but only until they implement an anti cheat.

 

[pudel]

Arc Raiders runs but only until they implement an anti cheat.

It has anticheat already. They are just not blocking linux (yet) like all the other clowns.

 

[DeepEnigma]

It's weird, people act as if the main draw of PCs over consoles is power.

While I agree with the rest of what you wrote, it's not weird.

This is exactly what the PCMR trolls have been pushing into the paradigm the loudest all over the Internets for decades. Now it's even more amplified due to iNfLuEnCeRs.

 

[Kacho]

Majority of high spenders will not buy Steam Machine as they have better rig
It's clearly targeted to "70%" and those are low spenders and their LTV will never justify any reasonable subsidization

Restricting to last year spending with given specs will kill it completely

Majority sure. Just like the majority didn't buy a Steam Deck either.

Valve said this product was aimed at Steam Deck users looking for more power for TV play, and a possible upgrade path for those 70%.

The first group, Steam Deck owners, are mostly enthusiasts who likely already have a good PC. Are they willing to pay a mega premium for a weak supplementary device? Looking around the internet, not really. A lot of them want a price that makes sense for the specs.

The second group are likely not big spenders individually, but as a whole are quite significant. Are they ready to pay $600+ for one of these? I have serious doubts about that. I think they will be much more price conscious than the first group.

 

[DeepEnigma]

its obviously marketed as targeting living room TVs, yeah good luck finding 1080p tvs in 2026

Why do you need a 1080p TV in the current year of scaling?

1080p with just the TV scaling alone, scales great on a decent 4K set due to it being an even integer. Far better than 720p scaled on 1080p.

It's even better now with FRS, etc..

 

[Topher]

Only OEM that has shipped a SteamOS device is Lenovo and only on the midrange model as an option. Asus will likely never do it, they like the Xbox marketing too much.

Never say never. It all depends on how popular it gets.

i didnt switch to anything lol,

 

[CentralScrutinizer]

Since Valve is only selling it via steam anyway, they should do a sort of "loyalty" pricing. I know it was mentioned they cannot sell it at a loss because its technically just a PC and they don't want businesses to buy it as a cheap PC and never spend a dime on the steam store (which is why you'd sell it at a loss in hopes to make it up via game sales).

But, since you can only buy it via a Steam account, couldn't they just do something where if your account reaches a certain "purchases in the past 'x' amount of says plus play time count" the console would be flagged for a cheaper purchase so they don't have to run the risk of cheap consoles they are taking a loss on ending up as office computers?

 

[Tobimacoss]

Never say never. It all depends on how popular it gets.

High end Gaming PCs are an existing market. Handhelds were a growth market. Even then, Lenovo didn't do a Legion Go 2 SteamOS edition.

From an OEM perspective, it's better to release open bootloader Windows devices, that the users can do whatever conversions to, than vice versa. They sell over 80 million Windows devices every year, just Lenovo, out of like the 300 million total. The drivers are already supported.

If they sell 500k $1k Steam Machines with 20% profit margin, that's $100 million. But now they end up having to actually support the hardware AFTER purchase, cutting into their profits.

There's a reason why devs block Linux from multiplayer games, the support costs are far greater for a tiny percentage of users. For example, one dev said that 70% of his bug reports were from Linux users with 1% of purchases.

 

[Topher]

High end Gaming PCs are an existing market. Handhelds were a growth market. Even then, Lenovo didn't do a Legion Go 2 SteamOS edition.

From an OEM perspective, it's better to release open bootloader Windows devices, that the users can do whatever conversions to, than vice versa. They sell over 80 million Windows devices every year, just Lenovo, out of like the 300 million total. The drivers are already supported.

If they sell 500k $1k Steam Machines with 20% profit margin, that's $100 million. But now they end up having to actually support the hardware AFTER purchase, cutting into their profits.

There's a reason why devs block Linux from multiplayer games, the support costs are far greater for a tiny percentage of users. For example, one dev said that 70% of his bug reports were from Linux users with 1% of purchases.

All that because I said never say never. If consumers want more Steam OS then manufacturers will abide. That is hardly controversial

 

[pudel]

For example, one dev said that 70% of his bug reports were from Linux users with 1% of purchases.

Sounds about right. Linux users report bugs and stuff like there is no tomorrow. Thats how open source usually works.

 

[Kacho]

For example, one dev said that 70% of his bug reports were from Linux users with 1% of purchases.

Fookin' hilarious

 

[xenosys]

Probably not but that's what I feel it's worth. Just my opinion.

Btw this video speaks to me

He looks like Sebastien Vettel's retarded brother.

 

[IntentionalPun]

We don't actually know the price, this whole thread is based on Linus detecting a "feeling in the room" when he asked about price.

It's also expected to be a PC, meaning you can install any OS on it and do anything you want with it. That has to be factored into the price.

It's not a console, and neither will Xbox's PC if it's open in any way.

 

[DeepEnigma]

All that because I said never say never. If consumers want more Steam OS then manufacturers will abide. That is hardly controversial

 

[Topher]

Are we sure the ambassador program ended?

 

[Tobimacoss]

We don't actually know the price, this whole thread is based on Linus detecting a "feeling in the room" when he asked about price.

It's also expected to be a PC, meaning you can install any OS on it and do anything you want with it. That has to be factored into the price.

It's not a console, and neither will Xbox's PC if it's open in any way.

You can have open consoles. Nextgen Magnus Xbox is hardware is Console. AND a PC. If it has optimized games, it's a console.

 

[Tobimacoss]

All that because I said never say never. If consumers want more Steam OS then manufacturers will abide. That is hardly controversial

Consumers want the games, not OS.

They want the hardware that runs the games they want. Simple as that.

 

[IntentionalPun]

You can have open consoles. Nextgen Magnus Xbox is hardware is Console. AND a PC. If it has optimized games, it's a console.

Eh, optimized for what exactly? I think you'll get a settings default and nothing else as there's no bespoke hardware. It's barely different than my nVidia app "optimizing" any game I ask it to.

This is what I hate about Microsoft now, all this gaslighting bullshit about what is and isn't an Xbox or what is and insane a game console.

 

[pudel]

Consumers want the games, not OS.

They want the hardware that runs the games they want. Simple as that.

Every consumer is different. Not everybody wants what you think everybody wants. And Valve is just offering alternatives. No reason to get mad about it.

 

[BlueManifest]

Even at $700+, the SM is still an attractive product. The spec can be beat for the same price when building yourself, but that means you have to take the time and effort to build a larger, probably uglier, custom job. Not everyone wants to, or is capable of doing that. Time is money, and style is also valuable.

I would rather it be 500 but I'll still buy it if it's 700 because my pc is 10 years old and I need a new one to power the steam frame

The frame is my main hype from these announcements, it should be talked about more than a mini pc that most people already have

 

[RickMasters]

Needs to be sub 500 bucks. If I was running valve my main objective would be to undercut current console pricing and get as many people into low cost gaming PCs as an alternative. If your kids only play COD, fortnight roblox and a few others, im sure this thing runs them fine. They could potentially appeal to casuals and parents. possibly. Just depends how much their kids love the marios brothers, zelda and peach, kirby etc. and for casuals I dont think they really care what they play COD or fortnight or fifa or madden or NBA 2k on. these games all support cross play these days so they dont need an PS, switch or an xbox for that matter...but then steam plays all those games too, so...... could be a good deal for a lot of people, if they can go below 500.

 

[RickMasters]

Consumers want the games, not OS.

They want the hardware that runs the games they want. Simple as that.

Fair enough. and for the right price steam could grab many of those consumers. if its about the games and not the OS. This is all gonna come down to pricing.

 

[Hawk The Slayer]

People always overestimate everything Valve does. This product is not meant to compete directly against consoles. Valve doesn't even have the distribution capabilities for that. This is a product for Steam players who want a compact device to plug into their living room. It's a niche product and will be successful if it reaches Steam Deck numbers. My price bet is $550~600 without the controller.

600 without the controller especially the 2TB version would be great for me since I'll be plugging in the mouse and keyboard if I decide to get one as I have no interest in the couch tv experience, don't even have a big tv or couch anyway.

I would rather it be 500 but I'll still buy it if it's 700 because my pc is 10 years old and I need a new one to power the steam frame

The frame is my main hype from these announcements, it should be talked about more than a mini pc that most people already have

I thought you don't even need the Steam Machine and could just buy the Steam Frame alone if the VR thing is all you want.

And same for PC is 9 years old close to 10 and the Steam Machine would be a ok replacement if I wanna keep playing the games I'm already playing on this. But might just not go for the Steam Machine and instead pay at least double more for a more powerful pure PC because of GTA VI, Witcher 4, Elder Scrolls VI, Fallout 5, and all other demanding games.

So still deciding.

 

[RickMasters]

We don't actually know the price, this whole thread is based on Linus detecting a "feeling in the room" when he asked about price.

It's also expected to be a PC, meaning you can install any OS on it and do anything you want with it. That has to be factored into the price.

It's not a console, and neither will Xbox's PC if it's open in any way.

I feel like MS approach to this may be a bit different to valves. I think we will see multiple form factors, all based around the magnus SOC. The PC being the PC. the xbox ally being the blue print for other xbox handhelds from other OEMs. the hybrid being exactly that (and possibly a refefrence model for other OEMs like ASUS to build up on, adding things like PCI slots) ,and lastly a closed traditional console (possibly follwing similar S and X model pricing)



I could be wrong but I think MS approach will involve multiple hardware form factors based around their SOC.

 

[Kacho]

A Dad buys this for his kids for Xmas. They set it up, hoping to play FortNite and find out it's not on Steam. So the dad does some research for couple hours and finds some guides to install Epic, and gets it done. Then they find out it can't even run on the device.

The device gets sent back and put on sale for clearance, then another Dad buys it thinking he just got a good deal. Same process repeats and the cycle continues.

This is a non-existent scenario.

Steam Machines won't be sold through the Amazon app. You can't find them on shelves in Walmart or Best Buy. If a dad buys one for his kid, he is doing it through his active Steam account. It's easy to assume he has some level of knowledge about the device.

 

[RickMasters]

600 without the controller especially the 2TB version would be great for me since I'll be plugging in the mouse and keyboard if I decide to get one as I have no interest in the couch tv experience, don't even have a big tv or couch anyway.


I thought you don't even need the Steam Machine and could just buy the Steam Frame alone if the VR thing is all you want.

And same for PC is 9 years old close to 10 and the Steam Machine would be a ok replacement if I wanna keep playing the games I'm already playing on this. But might just not go for the Steam Machine and instead pay at least double more for a more powerful pure PC because of GTA VI, Witcher 4, Elder Scrolls VI, Fallout 5, and all other demanding games.

So still deciding.

Probably better off just building or getting a pre build for those big newer AAA games.

 

[Topher]

Consumers want the games, not OS.

They want the hardware that runs the games they want. Simple as that.

So it doesn't matter if that OS is Windows or Steam. Good. We agree

Fair enough. and for the right price steam could grab many of those consumers. if its about the games and not the OS. This is all gonna come down to pricing.

Right. And pricing is going to drive demand one way or another. If there it turns out folks see value with Steam based devices then that's what manufacturers will sell.

 

[BlueManifest]

600 without the controller especially the 2TB version would be great for me since I'll be plugging in the mouse and keyboard if I decide to get one as I have no interest in the couch tv experience, don't even have a big tv or couch anyway.


I thought you don't even need the Steam Machine and could just buy the Steam Frame alone if the VR thing is all you want.

And same for PC is 9 years old close to 10 and the Steam Machine would be a ok replacement if I wanna keep playing the games I'm already playing on this. But might just not go for the Steam Machine and instead pay at least double more for a more powerful pure PC because of GTA VI, Witcher 4, Elder Scrolls VI, Fallout 5, and all other demanding games.

So still deciding.

Frame will work by itself, but connecting wirelessly to a good pc will be better obviously when your at home

The frames power by itself isn't much different from the deck, I would only use it that way when I'm not at home

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

It's also expected to be a PC, meaning you can install any OS on it and do anything you want with it. That has to be factored into the price.

It's not a console, and neither will Xbox's PC if it's open in any way.

it's not open at all, if you install windows on steam machine you're killing the reason the steam machine exists.
This product is: either you buy it to use with a TV and a controller as it was designed to be used, or buy a laptop/itx pc (real computer, no ''*'')

 

[Topher]

it's not open at all, if you install windows on steam machine you're killing the reason the steam machine exists.
This product is: either you buy it to use with a TV and a controller as it was designed to be used, or buy a laptop/itx pc (real computer, no ''*'')

Why are you always wrong?

 

[IntentionalPun]

it's not open at all, if you install windows on steam machine you're killing the reason the steam machine exists.
This product is: either you buy it to use with a TV and a controller as it was designed to be used, or buy a laptop/itx pc (real computer, no ''*'')

It's not open at all…. But you can install Windows on it? Lol

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

Why are you always wrong?

Feel free to offer a rebuttal to my argument.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

It's not open at all…. But you can install Windows on it? Lol

if you install windows on steam machine you're killing the reason the steam machine exists.

 

[Topher]

Feel free to offer a rebuttal to my argument.

It is open. You are not killing the "reason Steam Machine exists" by installing windows on it. You can use this product in any way you want. Just like every other PC

Everything you said was simply wrong.

 

[UnrealEck]

man ps5 is $400, forget this cheat

PS5 makes for a really shit PC

 

[IntentionalPun]

if you install windows on steam machine you're killing the reason the steam machine exists.

I mean that's kind of silly; it could be a solid piece of hardware with a good form factor, that people want to play multiplayer games... so they'll install Windows, potentially dual boot.

My point was either way that has to be factored into the price. Someone can buy this thing and completely forgo Steam or even gaming fairly easily. Outside of people spending $500-600 on a console and only using Netflix on them (hell Xbox still charged for that until recently lol) that isn't a risk with game consoles.

 

[reinking]

it's not open at all, if you install windows on steam machine you're killing the reason the steam machine exists.
This product is: either you buy it to use with a TV and a controller as it was designed to be used, or buy a laptop/itx pc (real computer, no ''*'')

...and it's a PC
Yes, Steam Machine is optimized for gaming, but it's still your PC. Install your own apps, or even another operating system. Who are we to tell you how to use your computer?

 

[Crayon]

It has anticheat already. They are just not blocking linux (yet) like all the other clowns.

Yah there is a little widespread misunderstanding on the anti-cheat.

PSA- it's not that it "doesn't work on linux". It's that the runners can arbitrarily block linux. Reason basically being that you cannot usually get the chain of attestation from the motherboard up. That is true, but it's up to you and the runners to decide how good of a reason that is.

 

[Crayon]

it's not open at all, if you install windows on steam machine you're killing the reason the steam machine exists.
This product is: either you buy it to use with a TV and a controller as it was designed to be used, or buy a laptop/itx pc (real computer, no ''*'')

Nah. Perfectly valid to put windows on it. You are making it less fit for the advertised purpose, but if that's makes it better for your purpose, that's fine. You're probably going to still use steam.