Like 80% of the games I already play are random indie stuff. I buy maybe 1-2 new big studio games a year, and even those aren’t exactly AAA. Right now, feels like big studios aren’t trying hard to produce actually interesting games, just more franchise slop.
Steam machine got a solid “Oooooooo! Can’t afford one right now but I’m sure keeping an eye on this one!” out of me.
Honestly I expect someone to make custom cases for it. If valve don’t release a model there will at least be someone doing a 3d printed model that fits the board.
Yeah, for looks, I’m not sure valve could stop a customization market from popping up even if they wanted to. Case in point: search for “steam deck custom shell”… Ugh, wasn’t planning on customizing my deck, but some of them look pretty good. I bet the steam machine will have ones that make it stand out and others that make it blend in with furniture.
Not trying to attack you or anything because you did say that you don’t see the appeal for your own casw, but that’s because this product isn’t for you. If you see building a PC and putting it in your living room as an alternative, it’s not meant for you. This is for everyone else who doesn’t see those things as easy. Being someone who has been building/upgrading my own gaming PCs since I was a preteen, I understand how simple it seems to you. But not everyone has that perspective. What seems like simple step-by-step instructions to you is actually really complicated. Part compatiblity alone is difficult, and even the best sources of info can get it wrong, and that’s really demoralizing for someone who doesn’t even know what RAM is. Step-by-step guides seem easy, but there are many predatory ones out there, which suggest using a free trial of paid software to do the things FOSS software can do. You and I know how to avoid it, but if someone doesn’t even understand the concept of an .iso file, how would they know that better alternatives exist? Also, an extremely common case when following tutorials online is that they are out of date, or an unexpected error happens when following them. You and I can quickly RCA these issues and get back on track, but when you don’t even understand what the steps you are taking are actually doing, these minor hiccups leave you dead in the water.
What you are actually suggesting here is people do like, a year of introductory computer classes. It doesn’t feel like that to you because you’ve been figuring all this crap out as you go along, but having walked people through the most basic of IT problems, you are overestimating what a normal person finds intimidating when dealing with a computer.
It’s likely the steam machine will be repairable, what makes you think otherwise?
Not everyone loves to build a computer, look for compatible parts, compare 100 prices, choose a distro, spend 2 or 3 days troubleshooting unexpected things anyhow… The appeal of this box for people who want a “decent” hardware with steam/Linux on an open machine (free to install whatever you want afterwards) plug and play ready out of the box looks pretty damn big too me, if the price will be low enough. Not everyone is a tinkerer to the same degree or has enough time for it. This will for sure open Linux to a broader audience, that are interested but scared or short on skill/knowledge/time. Plus you get support, the real kind, not only random people on forums. Maybe it’s not for you, but to me the appeal is enormous. If it’s priced sharp enough I’ll probably get one and make it my “smart” TV device.
It has a custom soc that is most likely soldered and most of the components (except maybe storage and ram) are custom as well. If you need to repair it, you depend on steam still providing the parts. I doubt the parts will be available in retail stores, so that’s another inconvenience. Upgrading (the cpu/gpu, etc) will also probably be impossible.
Also, building a pc is a lot simpler than you make it out to be. Not sure what you mean about that “support” bit either. People have always been fixing their computers getting help online. Either from forums or manufacturers.
To top it off, the “benefits” you’re mentioning are literally the same as if you bought a prebuilt pc.
Not a fan of prebuilts tbh. As far as linux goes, Bazzite is free so create a bootable thumbdrive with rufus and literally just follow the installation prompts. If you can’t even do that, then maybe you ahould learn how to.
Why would you want “steam” installed? It’s just a normal program, you can install it yourself in 5 minutes.
The steam deck seems very repairable, I would be surprised if this machine won’t be. They know their core customers and how to please them.
It’s simple for you and people you know to build a pc and install an operating system. I think that kind of people % of total population is way smaller than you think it is.
And prebuilt PCs 95+ % of the time come with windows and all crap it brings along pre-installed. Really, installing Linux seems child play for you and me but for the vast majority of the population it’s still a big big scary thing to try. On top, I expect for the hardware you get it will be very well priced, just like steamdeck was, because the real revenue is customer bonding and steam purchases.
It’s not repairable in the sense that it doesn’t use standard parts so whether you can get replacements or not depends on where you are, geographically. If it used a standard atx psu for example, you’d be able to buy that anywhere. Same thing for the cpu, if it used a standard cpu+gpu instead of a custom apu, you’d be able to replace just that if it broke, instead of the whole motherboard. Or even upgrade it if you wanted to.
Even motherboards themselves have different features. You might need 2.5g ethernet whereas someone else is fine with gigabit but wants better wifi. In my case, I always buy boards with spdi/f to use them with a dac. You lose that flexibility with a device like this.
Regarding the OS in prebuilts, it’s very common to have the option to order them without Windows. If you don’t know how to install Bazzite, just pay a technician to do it. It will still be cheaper than Windows. That’s not an excuse or impediment.
Like 80% of the games I already play are random indie stuff. I buy maybe 1-2 new big studio games a year, and even those aren’t exactly AAA. Right now, feels like big studios aren’t trying hard to produce actually interesting games, just more franchise slop.
Steam machine got a solid “Oooooooo! Can’t afford one right now but I’m sure keeping an eye on this one!” out of me.
Honestly the whole “modern tech style” thing is making me feel feel off.
The controller looks nice tho. Supports linux and would go well with retroarch to emulate old games on thinkpad.
Hell maybe a raspberry pi connected to the TV monitor.
Did you want it to come in a Beige Box?
Throw it in a G4 Cube case and we can talk.
I personally like wood exterior or utilitarian sheet metal with no lights.
We love wood grain around here
https://www.digitalfoundry.net/features/hands-on-with-steam-machine-valves-new-pcconsole-hybrid
The front panel comes off, you can have a steam machine with a wood exterior if you really want
Honestly I expect someone to make custom cases for it. If valve don’t release a model there will at least be someone doing a 3d printed model that fits the board.
Yeah, for looks, I’m not sure valve could stop a customization market from popping up even if they wanted to. Case in point: search for “steam deck custom shell”… Ugh, wasn’t planning on customizing my deck, but some of them look pretty good. I bet the steam machine will have ones that make it stand out and others that make it blend in with furniture.
I would absolutely fuck with a beige/Earth tone box.
It’s mostly heat sink and fan out the back, cube shape is no frills and works great for what it is.
I think the faceplates will be swappable so I can get that custom gabecube look.
In my case I just can’t see the appeal. If you want a small desktop computer, just build an itx machine that can be fixed and upgraded.
Not trying to attack you or anything because you did say that you don’t see the appeal for your own casw, but that’s because this product isn’t for you. If you see building a PC and putting it in your living room as an alternative, it’s not meant for you. This is for everyone else who doesn’t see those things as easy. Being someone who has been building/upgrading my own gaming PCs since I was a preteen, I understand how simple it seems to you. But not everyone has that perspective. What seems like simple step-by-step instructions to you is actually really complicated. Part compatiblity alone is difficult, and even the best sources of info can get it wrong, and that’s really demoralizing for someone who doesn’t even know what RAM is. Step-by-step guides seem easy, but there are many predatory ones out there, which suggest using a free trial of paid software to do the things FOSS software can do. You and I know how to avoid it, but if someone doesn’t even understand the concept of an .iso file, how would they know that better alternatives exist? Also, an extremely common case when following tutorials online is that they are out of date, or an unexpected error happens when following them. You and I can quickly RCA these issues and get back on track, but when you don’t even understand what the steps you are taking are actually doing, these minor hiccups leave you dead in the water.
What you are actually suggesting here is people do like, a year of introductory computer classes. It doesn’t feel like that to you because you’ve been figuring all this crap out as you go along, but having walked people through the most basic of IT problems, you are overestimating what a normal person finds intimidating when dealing with a computer.
It’s likely the steam machine will be repairable, what makes you think otherwise?
Not everyone loves to build a computer, look for compatible parts, compare 100 prices, choose a distro, spend 2 or 3 days troubleshooting unexpected things anyhow… The appeal of this box for people who want a “decent” hardware with steam/Linux on an open machine (free to install whatever you want afterwards) plug and play ready out of the box looks pretty damn big too me, if the price will be low enough. Not everyone is a tinkerer to the same degree or has enough time for it. This will for sure open Linux to a broader audience, that are interested but scared or short on skill/knowledge/time. Plus you get support, the real kind, not only random people on forums. Maybe it’s not for you, but to me the appeal is enormous. If it’s priced sharp enough I’ll probably get one and make it my “smart” TV device.
It has a custom soc that is most likely soldered and most of the components (except maybe storage and ram) are custom as well. If you need to repair it, you depend on steam still providing the parts. I doubt the parts will be available in retail stores, so that’s another inconvenience. Upgrading (the cpu/gpu, etc) will also probably be impossible.
Also, building a pc is a lot simpler than you make it out to be. Not sure what you mean about that “support” bit either. People have always been fixing their computers getting help online. Either from forums or manufacturers.
To top it off, the “benefits” you’re mentioning are literally the same as if you bought a prebuilt pc.
Do you have a favorite pre-built PC that ships with Linux and Steam installed?
That’s something I want pretty badly, but haven’t run across a good lead for.
With a good recommendation, I might not wait for (the Steam Machine in) January!
System 76 sells pre-builts
Not a fan of prebuilts tbh. As far as linux goes, Bazzite is free so create a bootable thumbdrive with rufus and literally just follow the installation prompts. If you can’t even do that, then maybe you ahould learn how to.
Why would you want “steam” installed? It’s just a normal program, you can install it yourself in 5 minutes.
Because having Steam pre-installed signals that the hardware producer planned for gaming and has done some basic testing for gaming.
The new “Steam Machine Verified” badge is the most exciting part of all this.
The steam deck seems very repairable, I would be surprised if this machine won’t be. They know their core customers and how to please them.
It’s simple for you and people you know to build a pc and install an operating system. I think that kind of people % of total population is way smaller than you think it is.
And prebuilt PCs 95+ % of the time come with windows and all crap it brings along pre-installed. Really, installing Linux seems child play for you and me but for the vast majority of the population it’s still a big big scary thing to try. On top, I expect for the hardware you get it will be very well priced, just like steamdeck was, because the real revenue is customer bonding and steam purchases.
It’s not repairable in the sense that it doesn’t use standard parts so whether you can get replacements or not depends on where you are, geographically. If it used a standard atx psu for example, you’d be able to buy that anywhere. Same thing for the cpu, if it used a standard cpu+gpu instead of a custom apu, you’d be able to replace just that if it broke, instead of the whole motherboard. Or even upgrade it if you wanted to.
Even motherboards themselves have different features. You might need 2.5g ethernet whereas someone else is fine with gigabit but wants better wifi. In my case, I always buy boards with spdi/f to use them with a dac. You lose that flexibility with a device like this.
Regarding the OS in prebuilts, it’s very common to have the option to order them without Windows. If you don’t know how to install Bazzite, just pay a technician to do it. It will still be cheaper than Windows. That’s not an excuse or impediment.
If the price point is around 500$/€ I think it would be challenging to build a good pc for less than that
That’s wishful thinking. Valve hasn’t even announced a price range.
Maybe, but it would be more or less in line with consoles. I would be surprised if it was much more.
Feels like a solid replacement for my Apple TV.