By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Gaming Discussion - Can someone explain the purpose of the Steam Machine to me?

All right, so here's the thing. When Steam announced the then-nicknamed "Steambox", I thought it would change everything really. PC gamig would become acessible to everyone, and how could Sony, MS or Nintendo compete with the insane Steam sales? Then they revealed some models on the CES and... the prices vary between $500 and $6000.

 

Ok then, what's the difference? Just a smaller PC, that's it? The price for the hardware is pretty much the same, so what gives? What does that change at all anyway? Was I being too naive to think that the prices would be lower? I don't know, I just don't seem to see the purpose of it. Can someone clarify me and make me less dumb?



Around the Network

To provide a simple living room Steam gaming experience that doesn't rely on Microsoft technology (expensive license), and to foster development of Linux games and drivers that can then migrate back to other Linux distros improving the over all state of Linux gaming & to help level the playing field against Windows based PC's that have traditionally had the lions share of games developed for it & only it.



The idea is to bring "Steam" as a service into living room. And for 500€ you'll be able to get a pretty decent Steam Machine. I would also say that plus side is that many games will have future Linux support since Steam Os is based on Debian 7.



chris_wing said:

To provide a simple living room Steam gaming experience that doesn't rely on Microsoft technology (expensive license),

That's why they're all as expensive as the Microsoft Xbox One or more right?

As for simple - as an uninformed consumer which model do I buy? How do I know what games it'll run? What's "streaming"?

and to foster development of Linux games and drivers that can then migrate back to other Linux distros improving the over all state of Linux gaming& to help level the playing field against Windows based PC's that have traditionally had the lions share of games developed for it & only it.

How does this help Valve or its customers.

That's no explanation at all. What is the purpose for the consumer?



It was originally suppose to help the console people transition into PC by having one base model steam box that runs competitively to the xbox one and ps4 for both price and performance... But now, its stupid because you can get a cheaper and better PC if you make one yourself vs getting a steam machine and there are 13 of them out there with no base model and its just a giant mess

Do not get a steam machine, just get a custom pc from ncix and pay $50 more to have them put together one for u and it will save u up to $300



                  

PC Specs: CPU: 7800X3D || GPU: Strix 4090 || RAM: 32GB DDR5 6000 || Main SSD: WD 2TB SN850

Around the Network

With steam machines you can decide when next gen starts, so you don't have to wait 8 years.



It's here to replace Nintendo.



"I've Underestimated the Horse Power from Mario Kart 8, I'll Never Doubt the WiiU's Engine Again"

Jizz_Beard_thePirate said:
It was originally suppose to help the console people transition into PC by having one base model steam box that runs competitively to the xbox one and ps4 for both price and performance...


Uh no, that was never the point.



Mohasus said:
Jizz_Beard_thePirate said:
It was originally suppose to help the console people transition into PC by having one base model steam box that runs competitively to the xbox one and ps4 for both price and performance...


Uh no, that was never the point.

Then what is? There are many ways to stream stuff to the TV from your PC and if steam machines are suppose to be able to be in the living room only, then how come few of them are full sized towers



                  

PC Specs: CPU: 7800X3D || GPU: Strix 4090 || RAM: 32GB DDR5 6000 || Main SSD: WD 2TB SN850

I'm with you. I thought the entire point of a Steam Box was that they could manufacture a gaming PC in larger numbers as you would with a console, which would drive down the price, thus making PC gaming cheaper and more accessible. I thought it was supposed to be "THE Steam Box", which might come in varying models of price and power but altogether be a stable, Steam-powered platform for everyone. And once PC's started getting really cheap, there would be less and less use for a console. I thought it was going to be the first step toward really changing things.

Instead they revealed like a million different models all from different companies. Seems like the entire point was lost, and now I see no reason to get one of these instead of just building my own rig and running Steam OS on it.



Currently playing:

Bloodbath Paddy Wagon Ultra 9