Agreed. You can't get better value for your money than building your own. There are thousands of site and videos out there showing you how to put them together (it's really not that that difficult), and just as many that can show you which parts you should choose for different budgets.

This come from the worlds second biggest Value fan

Yes, yes and......yes. It's just a pc that isn't running MS. If your pc is outdated or needs an upgrade, a steam machine is a good option if the price is right. Have a good pc already? Install Steam OS on it. Steam already has converted over 1,000 existing games to linux to make them playable on the steam machine. Steam OS will make better use of your hardware. Europa Universalis and Crusader kings are on there. Nuf said.

P.S if you hate Microsoft, and only use apple, that further backs my point.

I own a macbook. Don't like Windows.

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So the consensus is not to bother with the Steam Machines, even though I will not build a P.C.? I'm not buying a custom P.C. either, because there is still a lot tinkering I'd have to do. I only play games casually. I just want to buy a game and play it. I don't want to mess with settings or anything. I was hoping that the Steambox would be a good alternative since it's OS is so close to consoles and since Sony now glued online to the PS4's PS+.

I'll probably just stick to my Wii U, then.

There's still more games on Steam for Mac than for Linux (which SteamOS is based on) so even that is better than buying a Steam Machine.

Im sure if they knew you didn't want to buy a PC, they would realize that yes, a steam machine does suit you. Don't let the main streamers get you down. Do some impartial reading into it and realize that we are in fact suitable for a steam machine if it's the right price. Let the MS'ers have their tripe. Steam are creating a retro catalog for Linux which will, in time, be more expansive than the catalog for Mac. But at the same time, it will, as I already stated, make better use of your machin for gaming.

http://store.steampowered.com/browse/linux/

Take a look for yourself. Adding new games everyday.

If you want a no-fuss system then PC gaming might not be for you. Unlike with consoles, most of the time you'll be doing your own trouble-shooting. Expect problems and expect to use Google to solve those problems. That's the reality of PC gaming, which includes 'Steam Machines'.

If you don't want to build a PC then you can go to somewhere like ibuypower or cyberpower. I've gotten good deals from ibuypower before to where it graded out, after rebates, to not much more than building my own system would have costed. Of course, if you want to be a PC gamer, then you're most likely still going to have to do your own upgrades and you can save yourself a lot of time and money by doing your own repairs.

My macbook probably couldn't run most/any next gen AAA games, and again, I don't want to tinker with settings or controllers or anything.

His insistence in trying to avoid PC and HD twins really amazes me. He has some trouble picking the least unattractive option ... 

I also doubt he'll be satisfied wth Mac OS X as that platform also doesn't get a whole lot of worthwhile games either and apple are known for overcharging on hardware. 

He just HAS to make this hard on himself ...

Maybe the cheaper ones are fine, some of them are over expensive though.

Much cheaper to just build a custom setup

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P.C. gaming isn't for me. That's why I want a Steam Machine, and not a P.C. I don't want to be a P.C. gamer. I just want a console that plays 3rd party games with free online. No fuss. The Steam Machines, at least the way they're advertized, are consoles with PC specs, Steam, and free online. That's all I want. But if it's not a good system, then I'll pass on it.