Is the Steam Machine a good option for Nintendo console gamers?

[VanceIX]

spemanig said:

VanceIX said:

There's literally no difference between Steam Machines and Windows gaming PCs.

Well, other than Windows PCs are much cheaper, can do so much more, more customizable, and have better compatibility with pretty much everything.

Also, if you ever want to play an EA game, you can't on a Steam Machine (EA only makes games on Origin, which is mostly Windows-only).

Just go to cyberpowerpc.com or some other PC maker website, pick out your parts, and they'll assemble it and ship it to you. I'll even help you pick if you can tell me your price point. It'll be slightly more expensive than just building your own PC (which is what I would reccomend, it's fun, and not nearly as daunting as it looks!), but still more affordable than Steam Machines. 

The user interface is natively different. One is a console like UI and the other is a computer like UI. The form factor is (usually) different. On is small and shaped like a console for easy tv placement. The other is big and not made to be urganomic with your tv. I understand that a lot of people enjoy customizability, but I prefer systems that are simple and don't need to be changed much to get the job done. It's like the whole Mac vs PC thing. I don't think Mac is better, but I prefer macs and they are better for me. I literally use my Mac to write papers, music, and browse the net. That's all, so I don't need a PC that can do everything else better. I prefer what the Mac has, and I don't mind the limited customization I lose because I've never once felt the need or want to. Same with iPhone vs android. Same with steam box vs PC.

If the comparability becomes an issue, I'll pass on buying it though. Like I said, I'll likely wait a year and see.

1. You can use Steam Big Picture mode and just leave that on. It's a console UI made for playing on television with a controller.

2. Steam Machines aren't all small. They are pre-built computers, plain and simple. If you go to that website, you can customize a computer that is around the size of a Steam Machine and easily fits under your TV, while at the same time is more powerful and cheaper.

3. Modding (one of the most amazing aspects of PC gaming) isn't available on Steam Machine. Modding is so easy (nothing difficult about it when mod managers do all the hard work for you) that you will really be missing out if you don't try it. Bethesda games are so well-loved on PC precisely because you can mod them, and make them simply gorgeous.

4. If this is a question of Windows vs. OS X vs. Linux, you might as well walk away from PC gaming now. Windows has been and will continue to be the primary platform for which games are designed and optimized for. Steam Machines are attempting to bridge that gap, but there are games outside of Steam as well that simply won't work on Steam Machines, hell, a lot of games on Steam itself don't work properly on Steam Machines. If you really feel like you'll be betraying Apple or something by buying a PC, it's probably best to stay out of PC gaming.