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[SmokedMeat]

Why do you think on the Steam Machine games will be better optimized than on PS5 PRO?

Nothing’s optimized on Pro without a patch.

 

[rodrigolfp]

PC = Apple.

The other personal calculators are buggy mess.

Apple can eat shit and die.

Windows gaming PC is still by far the ultimate gaming machine.

 

[Parazels]

Even the $700 PS5 PRO with the massive install base of Sony consoles suffers from bad optimization in some games.

But the $700 Steam Machine with its ZERO install base somehow should work 2x time better!

 

[Topher]

Even the $700 PS5 PRO with the massive install base of Sony consoles suffers from bad optimization in some games.

But the $700 Steam Machine with its ZERO install base somehow should work 2x time better!

What does install base have to do with it?

 

[Parazels]

If Valve subsidizes the price, that would make it more attractive.

Do they subsidize Steam Deck?

 

[Kacho]

Even the $700 PS5 PRO with the massive install base of Sony consoles suffers from bad optimization in some games.

But the $700 Steam Machine with its ZERO install base somehow should work 2x time better!

It's just running PC games, man. It doesn't need optimization like console games do. We control the settings.

 

[Parazels]

What does install base have to do with it?

I mean, I don't see, how the Steam Machine can be more efficient in terms of price/performance, than PS5 PRO.

And who is going to push limits of this console with its ZERO install base.

 

[mckmas8808]

It could happen TBH. It's probably running a newer AMD portable processor, those have amazing CPUs capable of supporting good GPUs. They'll sell this on its compatibility with external GPUs, for like 500 dollars. Then you can get a 4070 enclosure for 700 and play that way


These are ideal prices btw. I doubt they will be that cheap when they actually release. Building a gaming PC is the cheaper solution IMHO.

Which is why I think this box will be a minimum of $1,000. Probably actually $1,200 - $1,500 in reality.

 

[SmokedMeat]

Do they subsidize Steam Deck?

Have you seen the prices of other PC handhelds? Pretty sure they do.

 

[Parazels]

It's just running PC games, man. It doesn't need optimization like console games do. We control the settings.

Then it has to be more expensive, than PS5 PRO with the same performance.

 

[Last Hearth]

I thought about elaborating lol but as soon as you have to drop back into Windows for anything (driver updates, other fiddling, software installs etc etc) it breaks apart

If they really make it something that can be used as a console like appliance with barely ever needing to use that backup Linux UI for couch use, that would be much better. I think Valve is nearly there.

Yup, it has to function like a console and work out of the box for it to be a legit console replacement. It can’t be “if you set it up like this and that, then it works”

 

[SmokedMeat]

And who is going to push limits of this console with its ZERO install base.

It’s a PC that will run PC games. Not a special proprietary console that needs special attention like your Pro.

 

[StereoVsn]

That’s such a little beast of a computer. I was genuinely shocked to see how much performance it provided for such a stomach-able price.

Just don’t try to upgrade it, because F you Apple on that, lol.

It’s better to get higher model and get discounts from BestBuy, Amazon, B&H, etc.

 

[Topher]

I mean, I don't see, how the Steam Machine can be more efficient in terms of price/performance, than PS5 PRO.

Don't see why it couldn't, but doesn't matter. That's not the point of a Steam console. The point is to have PC gaming in the living room.

And who is going to push limits of this console with its ZERO install base.

Why are you referencing a "zero install base" when that is only the case because it doesn't exist yet?

 

[Parazels]

It’s a PC that will run PC games. Not a special proprietary console that needs special attention like your Pro.

Then what about price?

 

[64bitmodels]

Which is why I think this box will be a minimum of $1,000. Probably actually $1,200 - $1,500 in reality.

I don't think the prices will be that large. It comes down to performance really and what processors they plan on using.

 

[Kacho]

Then it has to be more expensive, than PS5 PRO with the same performance.

We don't know yet. It will probably be expensive but it will also be a more versatile device because it's a PC. Owners won't need to rely on devs to put out a 60fps patch for RDR2 and Shadow of War, for example.

 

[mckmas8808]

Then it has to be more expensive, than PS5 PRO with the same performance.

They all know it'll be more expensive that the PS5 Pro.

 

[Guardian Monkey]

autoboot steam in big picture mode on windows startup.
Solved already

no it doesn’t it just boots into bpm. You still have to deal with the pitfalls of windows running in the background. There is no workarounds for windows that delivers a console like experience. You still occasionally have to do stuff in the background. Shit sometimes isn’t optimized or even works. If you buy a console game for said console your going to have some semblance of functionality and refinement for the consoles use far far more often than PC.

Do they subsidize Steam Deck?

Initially it sounded like they were taking a hit when they first came out from an interview with Gabe. No idea now.

I mean, I don't see, how the Steam Machine can be more efficient in terms of price/performance, than PS5 PRO.

And who is going to push limits of this console with its ZERO install base.

It’s just Steam OS. It’s like the deck but would be a piece of dedicated hardware. They are still PC games. It would just be a more console like environment.

 

[mckmas8808]

I don't think the prices will be that large. It comes down to performance really and what processors they plan on using.

No way they'll make a Steam Machine "console" and target PS5 level performance in 2025 or 2026. Valve isn't dumb.

 

[64bitmodels]

Do they subsidize Steam Deck?

yes

You can find decks for 350 or as low as 299 on valves site. The thing is subsidized. They use their steam profits to offset the thing really costing way more. Plus, look at other handhelds in the same category. They struggle to go below 600.

There's little reason to assume they won't try and subsidize this..their ultimate goal is more steam users.

But the $700 Steam Machine with its ZERO install base somehow should work 2x time better!

Simple case of difference of platforms. Consoles need patches to take advantage of their hardware. PCS are just more scalable.

 

[64bitmodels]

No way they'll make a Steam Machine "console" and target PS5 level performance in 2025 or 2026. Valve isn't dumb.

Wait you thought they were going as high as PS5? I thought they would just do ROG Ally perf and then have external gpus make up the difference from there

I think we were both having different ideas

 

[SmokedMeat]

Then what about price?

It might not even be real.

But Steam Machines started at $399 at the time. Valve’s not stupid. They’re not going to price it like a PC part maker would.

 

[Parazels]

Simple case of difference of platforms. Consoles need patches to take advantage of their hardware. PCS are just more scalable.

What?
To get PS5 alike graphics you need a more expensive personal calculator by default.

 

[Cyberpunkd]

Even the $700 PS5 PRO with the massive install base of Sony consoles suffers from bad optimization in some games.

But the $700 Steam Machine with its ZERO install base somehow should work 2x time better!

Someone doesn’t understand how PCs work since…forever.

 

[mckmas8808]

Wait you thought they were going as high as PS5? I thought they would just do ROG Ally perf and then have external gpus make up the difference from there

I think we were both having different ideas

What do you mean external GPUs?

 

[64bitmodels]

What?
To get PS5 alike graphics you need a more expensive personal calculator by default.

If the game is made to run at 6650xt performance a 4090 isn't doing shit. The games need to be optimized for both configurations so your more expensive gpu can shine. That's how the pro works

 

[bitbydeath]

I just bought an iPad Pro 13" with the M4. I only have Infinite Niki to play. Where are all the other games?

Unfortunately you have to download one of those god awful launches, like Epic or Steam.

 

[64bitmodels]

What do you mean external GPUs?

Like how the ally let's you connect gpus to the device & then you get major performance on the graphics front because the system is more powerful.

I thought valve would do something similar

 

[Parazels]

If the game is made to run at 6650xt performance a 4090 isn't doing shit. The games need to be optimized for both configurations so your more expensive gpu can shine. That's how the pro works

My idea is that a pc-based console can't be more efficient (price/performance) than a traditional console by default.

The Steam Machine certainly will be more powerful than PS5, but less efficient and much more expensive.

 

[Crayon]

Wait you thought they were going as high as PS5? I thought they would just do ROG Ally perf and then have external gpus make up the difference from there

I think we were both having different ideas

Oh hell to the no. It has to be able to play current gen games out of the box. Even the deck mostly could when it first came out. Asking potential buyers to add $300+(+++) to the price breaks the whole concept.

Somewhat related: We still don't know quite what's going on with nvidia on steamos. I actually had no problem with it, but it doesn't integrate with the system like amd does.

 

[mckmas8808]

Like how the ally let's you connect gpus to the device & then you get major performance on the graphics front because the system is more powerful.

I thought valve would do something similar

First I ever heard of this being possible. Thanks for the heads up. BUT DUDE!!!!!!!!!! The price of a external GPU is INSANE!!!!!!!!!

 

[Trogdor1123]

Apple already have the perfect console in the mac mini M4 ... they just need to get serious about brining some game devs on board

That is pretty sweet. Price is just a bit high for a console but it’s amazing for what you get

 

[LordOfChaos]

You'll always need to drop back into KDE for anything involving technical shit like emulators. You can't have all the benefits of PC gaming and then ignore that Personal Computer part, lol

Windows + Big Picture mode works good already. We don't need this as much as a new Deckard, Steam Controller, or a SteamOS 3 PC release

Which is why I mentioned that's fine for rare use as a backup if you need it, but on Windows it's not practical to stay in the game UI all the time with updating drivers, Windows, there's a bunch of times I've founded I have to drop back into Windows which complicates the couch experience.

So you guys are missing the point. If I drop into the desktop environment because I want to that's fine, to be a console replacement it has to take care of most of the time I need to, and you can put a skin on Windows but it's just not great at that. To truly have an appliance-like console experience is not something Windows and Big Picture can even do.

 

[Sorcerer]

I mean, I don't see, how the Steam Machine can be more efficient in terms of price/performance, than PS5 PRO.

And who is going to push limits of this console with its ZERO install base.

Aren't current Steam users the install base? Remember when you buy Games on Steam, one Game has the possibility of running across Windows, Mac , Steam OS/Linux. That's a pretty big install base before the machine even launches. And if you leave the console behind you still have your games available to play on the platform of your choice.

 

[Kacho]

Sony fanboys are really threatened by this and we don't even have details. Better buckle up boys. This ride gonna get bumpy.

 

[Zacfoldor]

Valve knows what I've been saying all along.

Convenience is key to the mass market.

It's why consoles still exist today. Valve and Windows are in a race to make PCs more convenient for gaming. That means push button plug and play out of the box with a QR code to login and start playing no mouse and keyboard needed and it also means support for each game on the device like Steamdeck does. Valve is going to get there faster than Microsoft by a lot.

However, in order to be competitive these machines still need to fully exploit the advantages of a PC, so user mods, hacks, editible ini files, ect.

Hard to make everything a gamer uses in an OS handy, serviceable, and error free but if you want to take over the market convenience is key. They are still chasing this, so PC hasn't obtained it yet but it will soon. If you think convenience isn't key here, you are just wrong. Sorry. Think about how much bitching we hear when any game even slightly inconveniences us, like we will not buy it if we have to create an account bullshit? That's the convenience factor. You may be fine but you do not understand the mass market if you do not think convenience is the primary factor as to why PC hasn't already overtaken console gaming. A more interesting subject is why it is to hard to make a mass market prebuilt PC convenient? Convenience is hard. For example, on the steamdeck you have to leave the thing on to download games over wifi. They are working but it ain't as easy as it looks. That's another reason switch was genius. Everything just works and is so simple anyone could do it even a smart animal could setup a switch and make it work on a tv or in handheld mode. Switch lite is even easier to "setup" you just plug in a game and press a button, easier than NES and this is going to be the highest selling console of all time with >160m sold probably.

 

[Last Hearth]

My only concern is that it will be too successful and make Valve an acquisition target for Microsoft.

 

[Kacho]

My only concern is that it will be too successful and make Valve an acquisition target for Microsoft.

Valve is a private company. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Parazels]

Aren't current Steam users the install base? Remember when you buy Games on Steam, one Game has the possibility of running across Windows, Mac , Steam OS/Linux. That's a pretty big install base before the machine even launches. And if you leave the console behind you still have your games available to play on the platform of your choice.

It's none of Valve's business how the current users manage their pc hardware.

But it will matter, if Valve launch its own hardware.

 

[Topher]

First I ever heard of this being possible. Thanks for the heads up. BUT DUDE!!!!!!!!!! The price of a external GPU is INSANE!!!!!!!!!

I can see Valve creating a dock that allows you to use your own GPU. Company called Beelink does this with their mini PCs

https://www.amazon.com/Beelink-External-Graphics-Compatible-Discrete/dp/B0DFWNP7KX/ref=sr_1_2?crid=M4F8F5F0J8GK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.2JCdr6WGCaO4GqHKbQQvNrT5S6ZsQM4NcMp0bOG9bUX5RNmSprZVLWWbMcMle0Te310dTxADGzzYFoMkuvs6yhdEpTpqjiSlwenU_c0A5wWkisXDEjVxMkePzwdaEVqOuawpdLhSO7RZwD9VkH4G1Z1OvXo2SnUZaKxgL2xvt8tRaH6ohc4N_xPGYwIjI_jKQ2FTboNr1-Itt7_flg11KMZDDdOGit7q-XFd9IjMk7hzkhrUamiyxWfxr_5ahrWxhiGc5z8-D-DF8QsIkGfbY0C_3hz7Nx-HRM2QcxgDioc.Py7G5P2ZDHMw0pTP3PWeqbe2kiZLOfkqSOlIgWAyaO8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Beelink+EX+Docking+Station&qid=1733504484&s=electronics&sprefix=beelink+ex+docking+station%2Celectronics%2C106&sr=1-2

 

[twilo99]

That is pretty sweet. Price is just a bit high for a console but it’s amazing for what you get

The storage things kills the price otherwise that base $599 is an ok price point for a console

 

[Mister Wolf]

Sony fanboys are really threatened by this and we don't even have details. Better buckle up boys. This ride gonna get bumpy.

Wait until they see Microsoft's version of this same concept running Playstation games.

 

[Burger King]

My only concern is that it will be too successful and make Valve an acquisition target for Microsoft.

Valve is already a target for Microsoft's acquisition, but I don't think any regulator will ever approve this acquisition.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Valve is good but pc gaming is situational that’s why every pc is different, it’s customizable, steam box to me feels good on paper but seriously get a console at that point.!

 

[Topher]

Valve is already a target for Microsoft's acquisition

Nah....that rumor was widely laughed at

 

[Davevil]

The key to Valve's hardware success is SteamOS.

I wish we could move PC gaming away from Windows. So I hope Valve succeeds.

This is an Xbox my ass.

 

[Pop]

So this is one of those new hybrid Xboxes

 

[Sorcerer]

It's none of Valve's business how the current users manage their pc hardware.

But it will matter, if Valve launch its own hardware.

Just saying Valve have a huge headstart from current Steam customers/deck users. Just sign in and start playing basically. I get what you mean with someone who makes a Steam account from the get-go however, but there is no way that is the audience Valve is looking to court the most. That would be those users who already have money invested into the eco-system and will continue to buy games.
Newbies will have to be won over in the long run, but they have enough of a base to make it worth their while in the meantime.

 

[Burger King]

Nah....that rumor was widely laughed at

If Microsoft never thought about buying Steam, I'd be the first to laugh.