Laptop1991
Member
Seems to me it plugs into a TV for people sitting on a couch using controllers using a small box, looks like a Console to my eyes regardless what OS is on it, but my vote isn't the popular one lol.
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What category should Steam Machine be classed under?
- Thread starter RetroGamingUK
- Start date
Kokoloko85
Member
With UI and OS made mainly for games. Like a console
Yes it can use other operating systems but out the box Im guessing it will be like Steamdeck
Its a hybrid if there ever was one
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rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
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Topher
Identifies as young
The only difference between this and any other PC with Steam installed is that big picture mode is on by default. I don't see what is "hybrid" about a single setting. All the other differences that make a PC a PC are there.
I collect VHS tapes
Gold Member
It's a PC that provides a console like experience
March Climber
Member
I find it funny that Valve has a chance to slowly take over the living room in the next couple of decades as they continue to innocently say "Oh whatever do you mean? We are just a little old PC 
"
And people just nod along with it, quote their website phrasing, and then say to others "See? It's just a PC! There's nothing other console makers have to worry about"
"And people just nod along with it, quote their website phrasing, and then say to others "See? It's just a PC! There's nothing other console makers have to worry about"
It's clearly a hybrid
CrustyBritches
Gold Member
It's a gaming OS.
Parazels
Member
What's the purpose of the Steam console?
Kokoloko85
Member
This comes out the box as a default and cant be upgraded hardware wise like most gaming PC's.
Depends how you label Steamdeck. A portable gaming PC, Hybrid, Handheld. Portable PC?
Either way.
They are obviously trying to cater to multiple types of gamers, whatever you want to call these devices. Desktop, living room,portables, VR etc.
These new Steammachine are obviously Valve's attempt at also competing for the living room space
xanaum
Member
It's just a PC, and honestly what I'd really love to see is a full SteamOS system to use on my own PC, completely ditching Windows. That would be way more interesting and useful to me than this thing. In the end, everyone could just build their own plug-and-play Steam Machine with whatever PC hardware they want.
Topher
Identifies as young
Don't necessarily disagree with what you are saying here. I will point out, however, that both the system RAM and the SSD can be upgraded in the Steam Machine. Plenty of gaming laptops have less upgrade options than this.
![L*][*N*K](/data/avatars/m/842/842515.jpg?1756724107){kind=avatar}
cireza
Member
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Topher
Identifies as young
Don't you mean "can't upgrade its hardware"?
Games on Steam Machine will have all the available settings that it has on any other PC. You can upgrade the ram and SSD.
phant0m
Member
Should've been a poll choice
Anyway, it has a fixed hardware configuration and is not upgradeable so it's a console to me.
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PlayStaytion
Member
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phant0m
Member
We've been calling that a console for at least 10 years now, since Xbox/PS switched to x86
Kokoloko85
Member
Being able to upgrade the Ram makes it even better. I didnt know you could do that.
My Laptop was troublesome to upgrade to 64gb, but I would probably do that with Steammachine too if I get one.
Im not sure if I need this and my Laptop. Gaming on a laptop screen or handheld doesnt hit the same for me as a large screen. But I can connect my laptop to the big screen too
cireza
Member
Definitely play some Shadow Generations. Excellent Shadow game.
Topher
Identifies as young
Whatever purpose you assign it. Just like any other 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?"
~Valve
Topher
Identifies as young
Again, SSD and ram are upgradeable just like most gaming laptops. Are gaming laptops consoles to you as well?
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Very portable handheld PC.
DeepEnigma
Gold Member
This shit is still being debated?
phant0m
Member
No, storage is changeable on consoles too.
The fixed configuration is really about CPU+GPU. Gaming laptops have many possible configurations. AMD or Intel chips. Nvidia or AMD GPUs. Many sizes and configurations.
This is a single CPU/GPU config and that's it. Console.
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Topher
Identifies as young
I wasn't talking about consoles. This has the same interchangeable components as most gaming laptops. I don't see why the number of SKUs offered makes any difference.
phant0m
Member
the fuck are you on about? that's literally what you're arguing against
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rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
I am pretty sure you can "unsolder" the APU and put another APU on it that has Linux/Windows drivers.
Topher
Identifies as young
Jesus...calm yourself. That was in reference to the first line in your post:
"No, storage is changeable on consoles too".
I wasn't referring to the upgradability of consoles.
phant0m
Member
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
phant0m
Member
pudel
Gold Member
Just a buy a laptop or another mini pc with an AMD/AMD config, put SteamOS on it and you have the same pc as this "steambox". If this laptop is now a console for you...than I cant help you anymore.
So Macs are consoles lol
phant0m
Member
Holy shit. No. At the time of purchase, you have MANY options available to you.
You can get an MSI laptop with a 4070. An Asus with a 5060. 16 gigs of ram. 32. 64! Etc etc.
The Steam Machine, has NO options other than storage amount.
No, same reason above. You can get a Mac with an M2, M3, M4. Even those chips have various options (base/pro/max/ultra). Various amounts of RAM.
Why the hell is this concept so hard for GAF to understand?
Parazels
Member
The device you are describing has a built-in display and keyboard. So this is obviously a laptop, not a gaming console.
LordOcidax
Member
In the niche category… But really is a low mid range gaming PC that no enthusiast PC gamer asked for.
phant0m
Member
The neckbeards in this thread are REALLY butthurt about me calling it a console and keep making shitty bad faith strawman arguments.
Parazels
Member
They can't believe Valve is moving into the more premium - meaning console - market.
IFireflyl
Gold Member
The fact that a concept comes from human agreement tells you how it started, not whether it is currently useful, coherent, or predictive. Money is a social construct. So is contract law. You would still be foolish to ignore either when paying rent. All classification is a tool. We build categories to track patterns that matter to us. Consoles and PCs are both computers, but they differ in hardware openness, operating systems, user expectations, and ecosystems. The differences is what the labels are trying to capture. Saying "they are both computers" is true, and it also misses the point. It's like saying, "Cars and trucks are both vehicles, so the distinction is silly."
Besides, it's sometimes fun to see how people's opinions differ when it comes to classification, especially when there is a right answer and you can ridicule the idiots who get it wrong. For example, if people didn't say PC, they're wrong.
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Topher
Identifies as young
The only post I'm seeing as "butthurt" at all in this conversation is this one by you^^^^
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phant0m
Member
Topher
Identifies as young
Because I'm defending my opinion against bone-headed arguments?
You can think they are bone-headed all you want, but the only one getting hostile about any of this is you.
phant0m
Member
Just disappointed. There are several good arguments against calling it a console, which I expected to get.
Instead it's just a pile of zero-effort drivebys
sO mAcS aRe CoNsOlE?!?
But I should know better on GAF.
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Topher
Identifies as young
I hear ya man. Probably time to let this one go, and I'm talking to myself as well, since a lot times folks just won't see eye to eye on something.
BennyBlanco
aka IMurRIVAL69
I find it funny that Valve has a chance to slowly take over the living room in the next couple of decades as they continue to innocently say "Oh whatever do you mean? We are just a little old PC
And people just nod along with it, quote their website phrasing, and then say to others "See? It's just a PC! There's nothing other console makers have to worry about"
It's clearly a hybrid
Well, what do you wanna call it? If consoles were wide open to do with as you please like this will be, I would like consoles much more.
Since actual consoles and PCs are so similar structurally now, what really defines a modern console are all the downsides that won't be here like paid online and being locked into a single storefront.
Not like we're dealing with exotic hardware anywhere anymore.