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[Topher]

Games, incompatible programs... Windows isn't so bad, in fact it's necessary. That's why I insist on saying that the Steam Machine is a limited PC, I don't think even GPU upgrades are allowed.

Topher, tell me, would you recommend a Steam Machine or a used itx pc with an Nvidia gpu ?

Windows is not necessary. Plenty of Mac users in the world prove that. I'm typing on a MacBook right now so don't tell me Windows is "necessary". Simply not true. Plenty of Windows PCs don't allow GPU upgrades, such as those laptops you were going on about earlier. You can call everything that isn't Windows "limited" if you want, but I don't think you have the knowledge on the subject needed to make such a statement.

I can't recommend anything without knowing the price and seeing comparative benchmarks.

 

[Themacabre]

I would pay up to $1000 including the controller and taxes.

This. And I'm not going to weigh the thing and calculate price per oz. It is solving something for me that I don't want to deal with myself, that factors into how much I am willing to pay for it. It isn't based on specs alone.

 

[Sakura]

It's not supposed to be priced to compete with consoles, it's a PC. Will it be niche? Yeah of course, just like the steam deck is a niche product.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

The fact it is a PC without Windows and only having Steam OS plus Linux is a big deal for many. Most PC gamers only game through Steam. This is just a convenient way to game without having a bulky PC that can be real expensive. Plus not needing keyboard/mouse to navigate.

Now I'm certain that a PC definitely needs to be a PC, with Windows, a keyboard, upgradeability. How can something be for gaming if it lacks some of the most popular games ? A real PC needs to be complete; it needs to have a keyboard and mouse so I can do computer-related things. Well, a laptop is a better option in that sense and usually comes with Windows.

 

[ADiTAR]

I think the days Sony or MS are Subsidizing their consoles are long gone.

 

[hinch7]

It's not supposed to be priced to compete with consoles, it's a PC. Will it be niche? Yeah of course, just like the steam deck is a niche product.

Steam Deck is a bit different though. That was a totally unique product at its time being a portable PC with SteamOS with a really, really good price point. And still to this day is a very competitive product when it comes to the handheld market.

This is going against 5 year old consoles and PC's with yesteryear parts at a considerably higher price point.

Some of the fanbase don't accept it as canon. Im ok with it.

Its fine. Still a good read and always look forward to new releases. Not really read into forums or related sub Reddits when it comes to books or entertainment as those are usually end quite toxic and negative. My only qualm is with how slow the chapters release but its understandable.

 

[simpatico]

With the following considerations:

1. 4060 spec machine with Linux as the OS for added performance
2. Ultra portability
3. I'm a 1080p 60fps gamer
4. I have a Steam library in the thousands of games

I would pay up to $1000 including the controller and taxes.

They'll be able to create different trims really easily. It's not the undertaking a Pro console would be. The work is already done really. If it finds an audience they'll probably throw a dart at one notch higher on the performance belt. I know they don't want to compete with Alienware shit because they know people will build their own. But just one notch higher would be nice. I agree.

 

[simpatico]

Now I'm certain that a PC definitely needs to be a PC, with Windows, a keyboard, upgradeability. How can something be for gaming if it lacks some of the most popular games ? A real PC needs to be complete; it needs to have a keyboard and mouse so I can do computer-related things. Well, a laptop is a better option in that sense and usually comes with Windows.

Windows install is a USB drive away. Launch into Steam Big Picture mode and only go out of it when you need to. Create shortcut for Steam and you won't even have to go back the next time.

 

[PlayerPurple]

The fact it is a PC without Windows and only having Steam OS plus Linux is a big deal for many. Most PC gamers only game through Steam. This is just a convenient way to game without having a bulky PC that can be real expensive.

This could be Steam Machine's killer app: Valve showing just how much more efficient & performant games can be running on hardware & an OS both built specifically for gaming, without all the bloat of a Windows PC.

Ever since modern consoles chose to just basically become x86 PC's (CISC architecture, PS4 and newer), they've lagged behind PC tech-wise. We've gotten away from the era where consoles with seemingly modest/"outdated" HW (running RISC architecture, PS3-era and older) could pump out performance that's still competitive with (or sometimes surpassing) some higher-spec PC's.

Steam Machine (a RISC machine) could be a step towards returning to that era, but Valve needs to do the work and reset ppl's expectations. Ppl will just assume it'll run like a PC with equivalent specs: it's technically incorrect, but they'll think that unless Valve gives them a reason not to.

They'd need to show off something big, like Cyberpunk at max settings, ray tracing, and locked 60 frames & 4K upscaled res, all in a box that costs $1000 or less. That, I feel, would turn heads, since neither PS5 Pro nor a <$1000 PC can even do that.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

Windows install is a USB drive away. Someone is gonna figure out how to get the Ally X Windows onto the Steam Cube, and that's probably the way I would go.

Okay, but try to understand me, the Steam Machine's unique selling point is using Linux in the living room with a controller. If I install Windows on it, I've killed Valve's plans; I'll just have a mini ITX that doesn't allow for upgrades. What I mean is that this product doesn't have a defined target audience; it's bad as a console and bad as a regular PC.

The only way I see PC hardware working well for use in a living room is with a gaming laptop with a better cooling system; as it is, a Steam Machine is a worse option than an itx pc, laptop or traditional console.

 

[Mister Wolf]

Okay, but try to understand me, the Steam Machine's unique selling point is using Linux in the living room with a controller. If I install Windows on it, I've killed Valve's plans; I'll just have a mini ITX that doesn't allow for upgrades. What I mean is that this product doesn't have a defined target audience; it's bad as a console and bad as a regular PC.

The only way I see PC hardware working well for use in a living room is with a gaming laptop with a better cooling system; as it is, a Steam Machine is a worse option than an itx pc, laptop or traditional console.

If you have to purchase and install Windows on a Steam Machine then you might as well not even bother with it.

 

[Themacabre]

Okay, but try to understand me, the Steam Machine's unique selling point is using Linux in the living room with a controller. If I install Windows on it, I've killed Valve's plans; I'll just have a mini ITX that doesn't allow for upgrades. What I mean is that this product doesn't have a defined target audience; it's bad as a console and bad as a regular PC.

The only way I see PC hardware working well for use in a living room is with a gaming laptop with a better cooling system; as it is, a Steam Machine is a worse option than an itx pc, laptop or traditional console.

I know this might seem like a rude question, and I apologize, but are you a bot?
Is this an AI bot? Have I been bamboozled?

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

If you have to purchase and install Windows on a Steam Machine then you might as well not even bother with it.

this

 

[DeepEnigma]

Those super yatchs don't come cheap, ya know.

Good thing he owns the yacht company.

NEW CHAPTER - GABE NEWELL - Oceanco

www.oceancoyacht.com

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

This doesn't really mean anything. Linus threw out a price that Valve aren't ready to comment on. They have a time table of when they want to reveal information, and they don't want a leaky mouth like Linus (sorry bro xD) running around with barely-disguised hints on the price before Valve are ready, even if they are in fact going for $500 (for the 512 GB model at least).

What was Linus expecting, exactly?

Now I'm certain that a PC definitely needs to be a PC, with Windows, a keyboard, upgradeability. How can something be for gaming if it lacks some of the most popular games ? A real PC needs to be complete; it needs to have a keyboard and mouse so I can do computer-related things. Well, a laptop is a better option in that sense and usually comes with Windows.

Could you try a little harder to hide the blatant Windows fellatio here? Some of us are still at work.

 

[MacReady13]

this

So then don't install Windows! Steam OS will be fine to just play games and use Linux if you want to surf the net.

 

[yogaflame]

 

[adamsapple]

Good thing he owns the yacht company.

NEW CHAPTER - GABE NEWELL - Oceanco

www.oceancoyacht.com

 

[Walliwallipaloo]

In fact, saying you don't have Windows is actually a negative thing.

 

[poppabk]

This could be Steam Machine's killer app: Valve showing just how much more efficient & performant games can be running on hardware & an OS both built specifically for gaming, without all the bloat of a Windows PC.

You are getting a few FPS gain, if that. People need to let go of the whole optimization, coding to the metal etc - it isn't happening.

 

[March Climber]

When they said "6 times the power of a Steam Deck" and then decided not to reveal the price, I had a feeling they might charge over 550.

 

[Kacho]

 

[simpatico]

Okay, but try to understand me, the Steam Machine's unique selling point is using Linux in the living room with a controller. If I install Windows on it, I've killed Valve's plans; I'll just have a mini ITX that doesn't allow for upgrades. What I mean is that this product doesn't have a defined target audience; it's bad as a console and bad as a regular PC.

The only way I see PC hardware working well for use in a living room is with a gaming laptop with a better cooling system; as it is, a Steam Machine is a worse option than an itx pc, laptop or traditional console.

Valve will tell you the best thing about PC is the complete flexibility

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

Valve will tell you the best thing about PC is the complete flexibility

No, it's not the Steam Machine; it doesn't do upgrades.
I won't try to convince you, I just think Valve designed a flop product, that's my opinion.

 

[Trogdor1123]

When they said "6 times the power of a Steam Deck" and then decided not to reveal the price, I had a feeling they might charge over 550.

It's going to be much more.

 

[Trogdor1123]

For those with a steam deck, can it play games off epic too?

 

[ZehDon]

It's not supposed to be priced to compete with consoles, it's a PC. Will it be niche? Yeah of course, just like the steam deck is a niche product...

Positioning it as a "console-like experience" while also charging more than the consoles you're comparing to while also delivering less performance than those same consoles isn't a solid value proposition in my books. Having the flexibility of an unlocked Linux OS is certainly a terrific feature, but it also costs little to provide - it costs Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft quite a lot to maintain their locked down ecosystems. On the other hand, the Steam Deck is delivering enormous performance for its price point, which everyone - including Microsoft's partner devices from ASUS - has basically failed to match, leaving the Steam Deck as the best-in-class value still. The Steam Deck is an incredible product.
For the GabeCube, why would I buy it for $900 when can't keep up with my XSX when I could wait a year and buy Microsoft's NextBox for $1,000 and have it keep up with high end gaming machines while offering an optional full Windows experience, too? I said it in another thread, but I'll repeat it here: if they price it the same as a PS5, I think this is DOA. If they price it under the current consoles, I think they'll have a terrific product that could find a decent market.

 

[simpatico]

No, it's not the Steam Machine; it doesn't do upgrades.
I won't try to convince you, I just think Valve designed a flop product, that's my opinion.

Not just in upgrades man. You can do whatever you want with it. Form factor dictates it never really has an EOL. My BeeLinks don't. I can always find a job on the compound for them. Use your imagination.

 

[Banjo64]

This doesn't really mean anything. Linus threw out a price that Valve aren't ready to comment on. They have a time table of when they want to reveal information, and they don't want a leaky mouth like Linus (sorry bro xD) running around with barely-disguised hints on the price before Valve are ready, even if they are in fact going for $500 (for the 512 GB model at least).

What was Linus expecting, exactly?

Agreed. Commenting publically on this is amateurish on his side.

 

[Topher]

This doesn't really mean anything. Linus threw out a price that Valve aren't ready to comment on. They have a time table of when they want to reveal information, and they don't want a leaky mouth like Linus (sorry bro xD) running around with barely-disguised hints on the price before Valve are ready, even if they are in fact going for $500 (for the 512 GB model at least).

What was Linus expecting, exactly?



Could you try a little harder to hide the blatant Windows fellatio here? Some of us are still at work.

That's good point. Valve not reacting could just mean they are good poker players as they knew whatever they said, Linus would be screaming it to the world.

You know what would be hilarious? Valve had this thing starting at $400 and their silence in response to Linus was "oh shit.....we are pricing this too low"

 

[March Climber]

For those with a steam deck, can it play games off epic too?

I have one and... kind of...I used the "heroic games launcher" that people recommended to run Epic games but it can still be jank.

 

[Tertullian]

they asked what I meant by console price and I said $500. Nobody said anything, but the energy in the room wasn't great.

People on this forum predicting $399 and here's Valve shell-shocked that anyone even dared to say $500.

 

[Minsc]

I dunno, I see people complaining about the lack of upgrades, but on the other hand, like the Deck, there's strength in numbers - you can, for the Deck, far more than any other custom PC, find game settings tweaked and videos of performance, because for the most part, there's just one spec, and all Decks perform close to the same.

Good luck finding the same number of game videos on some specific upgraded Dell laptop that's no longer OEM. Sure you can just google whatever GPU you have, but it may not be the exact same RAM, or CPU, or whatever else. And maybe you can often find the pair if you are using high end hardware on new games, but it's unlikely you'll find your exact model of desktop or laptop with some random game from 10 years ago, more than likely you will have to go off something similar.

So anyone who gets this is able to have that same experience, a relatively reliable and easy time of optimizing settings and other's doing it for you.

For the price? I feel like

$299-499: No thought, instant pre-order
$599: Will likely pre-order
$699: Going to think about it
$799+: For 512GB model? Probably not, approaching Go 2 prices here, and I think the Go 2 is probably a better deal than this Steam Machine, at least for me. I think more RAM, possibly a faster CPU? Not even sure, but there's too much competing tech if the base model is going to be $800+ imo.

 

[Sakura]

Positioning it as a "console-like experience" while also charging more than the consoles you're comparing to while also delivering less performance than those same consoles isn't a solid value proposition in my books. Having the flexibility of an unlocked Linux OS is certainly a terrific feature, but it also costs little to provide - it costs Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft quite a lot to maintain their locked down ecosystems. On the other hand, the Steam Deck is delivering enormous performance for its price point, which everyone - including Microsoft's partner devices from ASUS - has basically failed to match, leaving the Steam Deck as the best-in-class value still. The Steam Deck is an incredible product.
For the GabeCube, why would I buy it for $900 when can't keep up with my XSX when I could wait a year and buy Microsoft's NextBox for $1,000 and have it keep up with high end gaming machines while offering an optional full Windows experience, too? I said it in another thread, but I'll repeat it here: if they price it the same as a PS5, I think this is DOA. If they price it under the current consoles, I think they'll have a terrific product that could find a decent market.

It's not comparing itself to consoles though. It's an entry level gaming PC for people who are already steam users rocking a shitty laptop. Or for users with a decent PC they also use for work etc so an extra device they can have sit at the TV with their same library. Just like the Steam Deck only has sold 3 or 4 million units, this will be a niche option for the people who want it. It's not supposed to be a console competitor, even though there are a lot of people who want it to be.

 

[The Mad Draklor]

$599 for 512GB version and $749 for the 2TB version.

Glad that my expectations are within reason.

 

[BlackTron]

Now I'm certain that a PC definitely needs to be a PC, with Windows, a keyboard, upgradeability. How can something be for gaming if it lacks some of the most popular games ? A real PC needs to be complete; it needs to have a keyboard and mouse so I can do computer-related things. Well, a laptop is a better option in that sense and usually comes with Windows.

PS5 doesn't have Mario, yet, it's still for gaming.

Linux doesn't have all the anticheat, yet, at least it has the potential to be compatible, better than Mario Kart on PlayStation.

Not sure whether you're complaining that it doesn't work with mouse/kb or that they don't come in the box. Either way it makes you seem unqualified to complain about it.

Anyway, at 850 uhhh yeah...I fold that it can't be upgraded. I'd rather get a 5060ti with 16gb vram for 400 than spend twice that just to be left with my current vram limit and no money.

 

[pacman4000]

Why? They are targeting console users with the Steam machine… The disc drive mention doesn't make any sense but the SteamMachine needs a competitive price to be relevant in the console space.

No. They are targeting Steam users, PC gamers, that wants console-like livingroom gaming as a complement.

 

[bender]

Windows is not necessary. Plenty of Mac users in the world prove that. I'm typing on a MacBook right now so don't tell me Windows is "necessary". Simply not true. Plenty of Windows PCs don't allow GPU upgrades, such as those laptops you were going on about earlier. You can call everything that isn't Windows "limited" if you want, but I don't think you have the knowledge on the subject needed to make such a statement.

I can't recommend anything without knowing the price and seeing comparative benchmarks.

Windows is necessary.

 

[Topher]

Windows is necessary.

I agree. My house has many of them

 

[bender]

I agree. My house has many of them

 

[The_Mike]

Valve will have a problem making these too cheap.

1. It's not a walled garden, they can't sell with a loss like MS and Sony.
2. If its too cheap, nothing is stopping business companies buying these machines en masse, creating the same problem crypto did for GPU prices.

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

I think a lot of people are missing the point Linus is trying to make (albeit aticulated badly).

It's not like Machine is a console, Machine is a mini PC in the landscape where $400-$700 (considering what PS5/Xbox you pick) end-user 4K gaming experience exists. With robust library, bundled gamepad, ecosystem, sales, physical media (!) and so on.

Problem with Machine is that it its a very weird middle option kneecapped in all the wrong places, like VRAM or overclocking potential. People with lesser configs will not drop $600-$700 (I'm being optimistic here) for a very middle-of-the road mini PC becase they own those already. For money-concious gamers it's easier to buy a console for AAA and keep the (mostly) second-hand PC as a platform for everything else or jerry-rig something very close to Machine for far less. People looking for a new PC, in my mind, don't consider size as a factor at all, this PC will be monitor-bound in a man-cave 90% of the time and for the same money even with DRAM shortage I'm sure it would be easier to just go with more powerful Midtower built.

So at this point Machine is a strange answer looking for a question, a screenless and a bit more powerful Deck. A toy for already settled PC gamers with deep pockets that are looking for some tinkering and giggles with removablr panels. And some (like Linus) really wanted for Machine to be more affordable and mass-market to finally punch Windows gaming in the gut a little. With current market standing (I think they've confirmed some number to Linus off-the-record) Valve is punching air in the empty room, so to speak.

 

[Dr Bass]

Tom Henderson is speculating that it's going to cost 849/999 for the two models btw.

I'm definitely out at that price. Especially given how you would have to install Windows to play everything on Steam. I'd rather spend a bit more and have something even better than spend a grand to have something worse than a PS5 Pro.

 

[Dr Bass]

Pudel do you see my dirty PC. I never open it up. That case fan on the back doesnt even work. Stopped working a long time ago. There is a 5800X3D in it and a 4090. It has never overheated nor does the performance ever throttle. Its the CPU and GPU fans that are essential. Those case fans aren't doing much of anything but putting on a show.

Please don't ever show us a picture of your bathroom.

 

[DeepEnigma]

Valve will have a problem making these too cheap.

1. It's not a walled garden, they can't sell with a loss like MS and Sony.
2. If its too cheap, nothing is stopping business companies buying these machines en masse, creating the same problem crypto did for GPU prices.

If you click on the Asmon video on this and read the comments, you got a plethora of people saying at $500 or even $600-$700 … "this thing will take over gaming."

Ofc, these are the same people that probably war over specs any other time.

 

[pulicat]

Based on Steam Deck pricing, it comes as no surprise.
Steam Deck LCD
800p screen no VRR, 1.6TF - $399
Switch 2
1080p screen VRR, 3.1TF with DLSS and RT core - $449

 

[MrTroubleMaker]

linus can go f'off, dishonest piece of

 

[DeepEnigma]

Based on Steam Deck pricing, it comes as no surprise.
Steam Deck LCD
800p screen no VRR, 1.6TF - $399
Switch 2
1080p screen VRR, 3.1TF with DLSS and RT core - $449

 

[BlueManifest]

There's a old rumor that the headset would be 1,200, valve said it's going to be less than 1,000

That makes the me think that 1,200 rumor was a package price that I'm guessing is discounted

So here's the prices I think

Individual prices buying separately
Frame $800
Machine $600
This gives a total of 1,400 if you bought them individually

Buy them in the package and get a discount
Frame $700
Machine $500
Total price of discounted package 1,200

They did similar with the index their old headset where the total package gave a pretty good discount

 

[March Climber]

People can keep using the "it's not a console!" defense for when this thing costs way too much, but those same people should consider the idea that if Microsoft's next hybrid machine costs the same or less with the same 'it's also a PC and runs Steam!' messaging, this Steam Machine is going to run into a tiny bit of trouble.

It's clear that there is a steam audience for a living room box experience(and I am one of those people), but that decision is not set in stone until we see some pricing on both ends.

If this thing costs only 100 less than Microsoft's upcoming superpowered hybrid, then it's a no brainer that I'm spending that extra 100 and buying the Xbox for next-gen power.