Kind of looks like Steam Machines are dealing with a similar challenge to what the Windows 10 Store, and its universal applications, are currently facing. They're trying to compete with a far more established opponent, and yet their platform is actually in many ways notably inferior to said entrenched competitor, both in terms of library and how 'good' the underlying platform is. =P (Different reasons, though, as I believe the Windows Apps' shortcomings are more related to featureset and mod-friendliness than raw performance.)
The difference being that Microsoft has at least announced their intention to address the shortcomings in their storefront so it might better compete against Steam, however successful that ends up being. Whether Valve has any intention of trying to fix the issues in Steam Machines, let alone any success in doing so, will likely help determine how well they can ultimately compete.
Though personally, I think both sides have a pretty massive uphill fight ahead of them to win marketshare in their targeted fields. =P
Zanten, Doer Of The Things
Unless He Forgets In Which Case Zanten, Forgetter Of The Things
Or He Procrascinates, In Which Case Zanten, Doer Of The Things Later
Or It Involves Moving Furniture, in Which Case Zanten, F*** You.
