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[bitbydeath]

Which is why I always said, and hold on to your butt, it's an hybrid! Crazy right. I never said it was a PC, or a console. For me it's a new kind of system, an in-between and again I think it's fair to call it an hybrid.

Also just reading the definition again, it's stated in the beginning in fact: a video game console. A video GAME console. GAME.

A hybrid would entail games being made solely for it, and needing to run in dual-boot to access.

This is no more hybrid than a Mac Mini, form factor means nothing.

 

[TheGodfather07]

Console war? This system won't even outsell Wii u, never mind competing with the current consoles on the market.

 

[VGA-Games]

It's a f***ing PC and not a Video Game Console!!!

 

[KyoZz]

A hybrid would entail games being made solely for it, and needing to run in dual-boot to access.

But why?

This is no more hybrid than a Mac Mini, form factor means nothing.

No, that's YOUR definition. Why would an hybrid be only one thing? That just doesn't make sense.

I said the button didn't work because it was recognized as an Xbox One Gamepad. I couldn't remap it.

Yep, you said that. And I said who fuckin cares about the screenshot button not working for a few months. Does it sucks? Sure. But it's nothing unplayable and if your excuse to call Steam OS not ready for a seamless experience is this kind of stuff, sorry but I can't take you seriously.

No one said anything about taking screenshots (I do that with the standard command "Xbox Button+Right Trigger). If I can't have push to talk on the gamepad then yes, a game can become unplayable for me.

If. The only examples you gave are a bloatware software and the screenshot button. Woaw. That totally make the Steam Machine not ready for mass market and console like experience...

But "unplayable" wasn't really in the conversation before that. It was about compatibility which is (sadly) not guaranteed on SteamOS/Linux.

It's guaranteed for 99% of accessories and it will be fine for 99,99% of players. That's my point. So let me quote myself again because I swear you can't paid attention:

It's a new system that's aiming at both the PC and consoles user base.

It's an hybrid, with the best of both worlds and again if you don't see how they are getting closer to a console, I don't know what to tell you.

See? Never said it was a console.

Bro, I have no horse in this race, but I gotta say that you're presenting good points in an abrasive way.

That's fair, but sorry I'm a bit annoyed by people playing it dumb by questioning what is a console and finding everything they can to downplay the Steam Machine. I think it's very stupid, I had to quote like 5 times what is a console and stating that's not how I see the Steam Machine FFS.

I imagine that it just inherently makes people want to try and dispute you.

All I said was: they are getting closer to a console with quick resume, fixed HW and such. Is it really a hot take? Like, really?? And then I've put effort to explain what is a console. I had to repeat myself again and again. It can get to your nerve you know.

The new Steam Machine is doing some insane work for bringing a console-like experience to PC gaming, for sure. I'm saying this as a person who owns the original 2013 steam machine, comparing it to the experience of the modern Steam Deck. For a lot of people, their threshold for bullshit PC idiosyncrasies will be met, and it'll be a great experience.

But because the experience, by nature, will never be as tight or controlled as a console, it's reasonable that some people will have paranoia about their experience, thinking "will this work the way I want it to?" In some instances, that'll be justified.

Two things are true:
PC gaming (especially Linux using compatibility layers) is not as seamless and turnkey as a console experience.

But also:
Steam OS is and has been a gigantic leap in standardizing the PC experience, offering most of the luxuries consoles have, ever-closing the gap between the two types of platforms.

Which is why I said it's a new kind of system. For them it looks like I said "hey Valve is the new Sony/Microsoft, they are coming for the PS6 with this new CONSOLE!!!".

And let me say that there is quite the number of hassle on consoles too BTW. Let's not pretend the experience is as fluid as it was 15 years ago with way simpler system. So yeah if someone is surviving configuring a PS5, I think he'll survive configuring his Steam Machine. Don't you?

 

[demigod]

It's a PC

You know its funny when people claim they are PCMR but are cheering for this underpowered PC.

 

[NickFire]

Without Roblox and Fortnite?

Those are big omissions for the younger crowds. Interested to see how this plays out.

 

[simpatico]

Without Roblox and Fortnite?

Valve has locked out the Bios? This might be a foreign concept, but people with a PC can just make stuff work without begging on X for patches.

 

[Montauk]

Not a console. Verge gaming coverage continues to be atrocious.

 

[Hudo]

The Verge being retards as usual. They could join up with Digital Foundry.

 

[Moses85]

They've already succeeded without even being on the market.


Steam generates pure revenue, and now its value is even higher.



Steam Deck – gaming on the go.


PCs – for gamers focused on high-tech performance.


Steam Machines – the perfect entry point into PC gaming or for families.

 

[Topher]

You know its funny when people claim they are PCMR but are cheering for this underpowered PC.

 

[Kacho]

 

[Topher]

Console wars must generate a lot of money for these outlets

 

[Kacho]

Console wars must generate a lot of money for these outlets

Low hanging fruit typically does. SteamOS makes this a lot more console-like than your typical mini PC so these headlines write themselves.

 

[Topher]

Low hanging fruit typically does. SteamOS makes this a lot more console-like than your typical mini PC so these headlines write themselves.

I think this "console war" angle will probably fizzle out since we don't have the common console war metrics to judge it with. We won't have circana data telling us how many units of the console were sold unless Valve decides to go retail, which I doubt. We also won't have a bestseller games list just for this device. It will be Steam overall just as it always has been. So this may make for a good headline now, low hanging fruit as you say, but long term it is much ado about nothing.

 

[PlayStaytion]

Gabe needs the Ultimate Armor

 

[dacuk]

They have not been able ever to produce enough of their hardware to compete with the big ones.
Also, they do not care about selling their hardware worldwide... so no real impact here.

 

[Fermbiz]

I thought Gamestop ended the console wars...

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

King of what?

 

[SNG32]

They said the GPU equivalent is a 4060. Now normally, I would say that's not powerful enough.

However, given the fact that Linux is the OS, this could be a substantive power boost at a very competitive price.

If it is priced the same as a PS5 Pro, I think the value proposition would be an excellent one.

But it won't be close to a 4060 since it has DLSS which is superior to fsr.

 

[RCX]

Xbox is still king, but always love fresh competition.

 

[ResilientBanana]

I will buy this for my upstairs tv. What's crazy about this is the PC, Microsoft, and Sony games will be available on this platform. It's a PC

 

[viveks86]

I think this "console war" angle will probably fizzle out since we don't have the common console war metrics to judge it with. We won't have circana data telling us how many units of the console were sold unless Valve decides to go retail, which I doubt. We also won't have a bestseller games list just for this device. It will be Steam overall just as it always has been. So this may make for a good headline now, low hanging fruit as you say, but long term it is much ado about nothing.

So the console war was fact driven all this while?

We don't need facts to be mean to each other and cheer for our plastic box of choice. People will work with whatever data they get. And if there's no data, they will make something up based on concurrent users, MAU etc.. Assuming these new boxes sell, the wars will continue. It will just adapt to a new emerging paradigm.

 

[Topher]

So the console war was fact driven all this while?

We don't need facts to be mean to each other and cheer for our plastic box of choice. People will work with whatever data they get. And if there's no data, they will make something up based on concurrent users, MAU etc.. Assuming these new boxes sell, the wars will continue. It will just adapt to a new emerging paradigm.

Console war has definitely been facts driven. You are right that isn't needed for warriors to be warriors, but it helps. Without it, Steam Machine will just be an anecdote in the PC vs console skirmishes.

 

[sono]

Does it take physical media or do you have to have a steam account and all your purchases are in valve cloud

 

[BlackTron]

Does it take physical media or do you have to have a steam account and all your purchases are in valve cloud

It has an SD card slot that you can use to load files. If there are Steam games on it from your PC or Deck they show up. You can install any OS you want so its media reading can't be that nerfed really

 

[darrylgorn]

But it won't be close to a 4060 since it has DLSS which is superior to fsr.

They're referring to the raw power of the GPU.

I agree DLSS is better than FSR but that lead has been dwindling and there are other options out there for scaling and frame generation that are beginning to level the playing field. With what Valve has done for Linux, I wouldn't be surprised if they give some other notable second placers in software and hardware a boost as well.

 

[SNG32]

They're referring to the raw power of the GPU.

I agree DLSS is better than FSR but that lead has been dwindling and there are other options out there for scaling and frame generation that are beginning to level the playing field. With what Valve has done for Linux, I wouldn't be surprised if they give some other notable second placers in software and hardware a boost as well.

Even if it's raw can this thing even do ray tracing?

 

[Mindman]

The GabeCube is gonna replace the Xbox. Crazy times

 

[Radical_3d]

In the grim expensiveness of the near future there is only war.

 

[Fake]

It's a PC

So, a Xbox.

 

[Alexios]

It's a PC

Anybody calling it a console is making clickbait for plebs (or is one).

 

[Three]

You can upgrade ram and SSD. You can install another OS on it. It is a PC.

You can upgrade SSD on a console too. The only difference is the system RAM I guess but even N64 did that.

 

[Jibran#one]

Lmao a ps5 is a console , series x is a console, switch is a console.
This is a pc in a small box

 

[DenimDevil]

I remember when the OG Xbox was first announced the haters were already claiming it was just a "PC in disguise".

 

[rodrigolfp]

Keyword is AND. If you don't see how they are getting closer to a console with quick resume, fixed HW etc... it's on you

Snes can't do quick resume. Is it not a console then??? quick resume= save state and save states are done on emulators for decades. Laptops have fixed hardware too.

 

[SNG32]

Keyword is AND. If you don't see how they are getting closer to a console with quick resume, fixed HW etc... it's on you

You can put windows on it therefore it's a pc

 

[LavitzSlambert]

There is such a large market for an affordable device like this, if the experience is good (and not like the Steam Machines of the past) this will be huge. Valve is swooping in to take Xbox's place.

 

[pudel]

The GabeCube is gonna replace the Xbox. Crazy times

No, if you are longtime xbox bro with a huge xbox library...I guess you want the new xbox hybrid thing...which lets you also play yr old xbox games.

 

[SNG32]

There is such a large market for an affordable device like this, if the experience is good (and not like the Steam Machines of the past) this will be huge. Valve is swooping in to take Xbox's place.

The cpu has 6 cores. Good luck playing games like cyber punk and Battlefield 6 on it. That's the thing people who are into pc gaming are very spec driven the steam deck is cool because of the portability aspect but this being stationary and the hardware is weak I don't see this selling the greatest. The deck makes sense this you have a PS5 and you can build desktops or better prebuilts then this. It will be niche.

 

[TrebleShot]

Entered and won

 

[KyoZz]

A hybrid would entail games being made solely for it, and needing to run in dual-boot to access.

This is no more hybrid than a Mac Mini, form factor means nothing.

No, that's YOUR definition. Why would an hybrid be only one thing? That just doesn't make sense.

I said the button didn't work because it was recognized as an Xbox One Gamepad. I couldn't remap it.

Yep, you said that. And I said who fuckin cares about the screenshot button not working for a few months. Does it sucks? Sure. But it's nothing unplayable and if your excuse to call Steam OS not ready for a seamless experience is this kind of stuff, sorry but I can't take you seriously.

No one said anything about taking screenshots (I do that with the standard command "Xbox Button+Right Trigger). If I can't have push to talk on the gamepad then yes, a game can become unplayable for me.

If. The only example you gave are a bloatware software, and the screenshot button. Woaw. That totally make the Steam Machine not ready for mass market and console like experience...

But "unplayable" wasn't really in the conversation before that. It was about compatibility which is (sadly) not guaranteed on SteamOS/Linux.

It's guaranteed for 99% of accessories and it will be fine for 99,99% of players. That's my point.

Bro, I have no horse in this race, but I gotta say that you're presenting good points in an abrasive way.

I imagine that it just inherently makes people want to try and dispute you.

The new Steam Machine is doing some insane work for bringing a console-like experience to PC gaming, for sure. I'm saying this as a person who owns the original 2013 steam machine, comparing it to the experience of the modern Steam Deck. For a lot of people, their threshold for bullshit PC idiosyncrasies will be met, and it'll be a great experience.

But because the experience, by nature, will never be as tight or controlled as a console, it's reasonable that some people will have paranoia about their experience, thinking "will this work the way I want it to?" In some instances, that'll be justified.

Two things are true:
PC gaming (especially Linux using compatibility layers) is not as seamless and turnkey as a console experience.

But also:
Steam OS is and has been a gigantic leap in standardizing the PC experience, offering most of the luxuries consoles have, ever-closing the gap between the two types of platforms.

That's fair, but sorry I'm a bit annoyed by people playing it dumb by questioning what is a console and finding everything they can to downplay the Steam Machine. I think it's very stupid, I had to quote like 5 times what is a console so yeah, that's a bit tiring you know?

Snes can't do quick resume. Is it not a console then??? quick resume= save state and save states are done on emulators for decades. Laptops have fixed hardware too.

So we keep playing it dumb then.

Again don't you see the effort made by Steam to get as close to a console as possible.

BTW, because it seems like I can't stress this enough: IT'S NOT A CONSOLE, WE AGREE ON THAT.

You can put windows on it therefore it's a pc

PS4 is now a PC then

 

[bitbydeath]

No, that's YOUR definition. Why would an hybrid be only one thing? That just doesn't make sense.

That is THE definition of hybrid. There must be two elements, (console games & PC games) not one.

Do you believe the Mac Mini is a hybrid?

 

[rodrigolfp]

So we keep playing it dumb then.

Again don't you see the effort made by Steam to get as close to a console as possible.

BTW, because it seems like I can't stress this enough: IT'S NOT A CONSOLE, WE AGREE ON THAT.

Close to a console =/= being a console. Consoles didn't even have any OS/UI until recently. It's consoles that became more like PCs, not the other way around. Every desktop/laptop with Windows/Linux booting directly to Big Picture mode is virtually the same as this Steam Machines.

PS4 is now a PC then

Can it run PC programs and games natively?? If yes, it became a PC.

 

[MisterXDTV]

There is such a large market for an affordable device like this, if the experience is good (and not like the Steam Machines of the past) this will be huge. Valve is swooping in to take Xbox's place.

How do people keep saying this is an affordable device when they refused to announce the price, it's beyond me

Affordable based on what? Your dreams?

 

[poodaddy]

King of what?

My disappointment.

 

[KyoZz]

That is THE definition of hybrid. There must be two elements, (console games & PC games) not one.

Do you believe the Mac Mini is a hybrid?

By who? Who said an hybrid obligatory has "games being made solely for it, and needing to run in dual-boot to access"? I guess the PS4 can't be considered a console anymore since pretty much all the games that matter (if not all minus some obscure titles) are now on PC?

Why it couldn't be: an open system that's taking the accessibility of a console and the flexibility of PCs. Please tell me, who set this rule in stone? You know those things are in constant evolution and having one single definition is too

Close to a console =/= being a console.

Which is fine since I said multiple time it's not a console, but close to it.

Consoles didn't even have any OS/UI until recently. It's consoles that became more like PCs, not the other way around. Every desktop/laptop with Windows/Linux booting directly to Big Picture mode is virtually the same as this Steam Machines.

Yep, 100% agree. Consoles are evolving, and the Steam Machine is just another evolution of how to approach gaming as a whole.

Can it run PC programs and games natively?? If yes, it became a PC.

It can if you go being the Big Picture layer and go into desktop mode. But you can also 100% always use it in Big Picture, all the time. Just like you would boot a PS5 to it's menu. Except you don't boot to the PS ecosystem, but the Steam one. The fact that you can do that and never have to look at a desktop is what make me think of it as an hybrid. I seriously struggle to see what's hard to understand and the whataboutism in this thread is crazy IMO.

I've been seeing years and years of fighting between PC and consoles with the biggest argument being: a console is plug and play. A PC isn't.
And now that this Steam Machine is taking away that barrer, it's not an hybrid because it can run in desktop mode? Or because it's open? WTF?

BTW the Xbox Series have been used a lot to install tons of programs, even emulator thanks to it's dev mode



So what that makes the Series consoles then?

 

[reinking]

You can upgrade SSD on a console too. The only difference is the system RAM I guess but even N64 did that.

Saturn also had a ram expansion cart. Gabe called it a PC so I will too,

 

[rodrigolfp]

It can if you go being the Big Picture layer and go into desktop mode. But you can also 100% always use it in Big Picture, all the time. Just like you would boot a PS5 to it's menu. Except you don't boot to the PS ecosystem, but the Steam one. The fact that you can do that and never have to look at a desktop is what make me think of it as an hybrid. I seriously struggle to see what's hard to understand and the whataboutism in this thread is crazy IMO.

I've been seeing years and years of fighting between PC and consoles with the biggest argument being: a console is plug and play. A PC isn't.
And now that this Steam Machine is taking away that barrer, it's not an hybrid because it can run in desktop mode? Or because it's open? WTF?

BTW the Xbox Series have been used a lot to install tons of programs, even emulator thanks to it's dev mode



So what that makes the Series consoles then?

You can ignore everything on a PS5 other than CoD. Does it make it not have any other games for it?? The fact that you can ignore desktop mode doesn't make it not a PC just booting in the Big Picture mode, thing that, again, every other PCs can do too.
.
Makes it a console that can run some programs and emulators, other consoles can do this too (browsers, homebrews, etc).

 

[KyoZz]

You can ignore everything on a PS5 other than CoD. Does it make it not have any other games for it??

Oranges to apples. You are also ignoring my parallels

The fact that you can ignore desktop mode doesn't make it not a PC just booting in the Big Picture mode, thing that, again, every other PCs can do too.

The conveniency, the size, the fact that everything is updating in background, the fixed HW etc etc... all of those things are made to get closer to a console experience.

I'm not saying it's not a PC. It is since it has desktop mode. In fact I'm thinking of buying one of those for my mother so she uses it in desktop mode.
And I'm also not saying it's a console for reasons already discussed.

So an hybrid, and again I don't think it's weird or an hot take to think of it that way. I'm not trying to convince you or anyone else on how you should look at it. If you think it's just a PC, so be it.
But at the same time, I think you can understand how with all those elements (the size, the conveniency and the fixed HW mainly) I can look at it as an hybrid.

Makes it a console that can run some programs and emulators, other consoles can do this too (browsers, homebrews, etc).

But I've been told here that if it can run programs then it's a PC? See, the definition is not the same depending on who I'm responding.
It's both frustrating because I have to argue against multiple different angles and tiring because none of us will move from it's position lol

Anyway, I think this device has a big potential if priced correctly.