Alienware will launch its first Steam Machines in September, and according to general manager Frank Azor, new machines will be released every year – and aren’t upgradable.

Speaking with TrustedReviews via PCR, Azor said the machines will be released in a similar vein to consoles with the hardware locked. So, if consumers want to play games on this particular system at the newest setting with the latest technology, they will have to buy an entirely new system.

“Lifecycle wise, consoles update every five, six, seven years, we will be updating our Steam Machines every year,” said Azor . “There will be no customization options – you can’t really update it. The platform will continue to evolve as the games become more resource intensive.

“If you actually want to customize your Alienware Steam Machine, maybe change your graphics card out or put in a new CPU, you would be better off with the standard Alienware X51. This particular product is restricted in its upgrade options.”

http://www.vg247.com/2014/01/21/alienware-steam-machines-to-release-annually-there-will-be-no-customization-options/

I expect Alienware's Steam Machine to be weaker than another company who releases one at the same price.

They will be weaker then other steam boxs but more powerfull then consoles. I would buy a alien wre steam box because of this.

How to buy the best PC for the best price hot tips:

a) Never buy from companies like Dell, HP and etc
b) Never buy from companies that claim their PCs are the best "gaming PCs" like Origin, Alienware, Ibuypower
c) Never buy Steam Machines from third party such as Origin, Alienware and etc (idk about Valve yet)
d) Always buy Gaming PCs from computer focused stores such as newegg, ncix, memory express and etc... The $50 extra they charge you for putting it together + 1 year warranty will save you more money than if you were to buy it from the companies mentioned above

Least from my experience that is

I expect the Sun will rise tomorrow.

So now I have to spend $500 every year just to keep up with PCs. Wonderful idea. I love you Valve, but this has been a terrible idea from the start.

Well.  If you want to get technical, the sun doesn't rise.  The sun stays in the same place while the Earth circles it and rotates to where we either see it or don't see it.   

So they are sort of like consoles but without the cost benefits or longevity and sort of PC's but without the power and upgradability. Seems Steam boxes are being designed to be the worst of both worlds with the benefits of neither and there are still people that think these things can be successful!

I think it's a good idea if it comes out at a similar price to the One or PS4 because it will probably be more advanced at first than the two Next Gen consoles and you'll probably be able to play better versions of the games than what will be available on One and PS4, but then a couple of years down the road instead of five to seven with the consoles if you want a system that's more capable of playing the games technologically wise, then you can pick up that year's model.

I also think it's good if you want to play the best versions of the games ie. the PC ones, but you don't really know how to build or add new tech to your computer.

As long as it is in the $500 range and more powerful than One and PS4, I'm intrigued.

The ones in the $500 range are not more advanced than Ps4/Xbone, you need to dish out significantly more cash if you want that. The $500 ones are the low spec, entry level ones.