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

PigPen on 16 May 2014
spemanig said:

I own a Wii U and don't plan on buying another next gen console unless it has free online. Since that's not gonna happen, I was actually thinking about investing in a Steam Machine. Is it a good idea? I really don't care to learn the ins and outs of P.C. gaming, but I'm afraid it won't really be supported. I was planning on getting one of the Alienware boxes. Any advice? Is it a good alternative for someone who just cares about Nintendo like me?

EDIT: I'm not building or buying a P.C. I'm not getting a PS4 or XBO. Those aren't options. Please stop trying to convince me. I just want to know "Steam Machine good or bad." I don't care what you think is better, because I clearly don't think they're better.

You are glowing.  Steam Machine, take a chance I quess.  I personally never used a Steam Machine.  All I know is Nintendo, Nintendo and Nintendo.



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fatslob-:O on 16 May 2014
shikamaru317 said:

The main appeal of Steam Machines imo is that you get fairly powerful specs in a console form factor that is perfect for the living room. Sure you could build you own PC for a bit cheaper, but most PC cases are larger than consoles and vertical instead of horizontal, not ideal for the living room. And the few HTPC cases that are large enough to fit a fairly powerful graphics card are bigger than Steam Machines, and usually cost so much that they'd negate any savings from building your own PC.

The main issue with Steam Machines is that it's based on Linux, and right now most PC games don't come to Linux. Steam Machines won't be a wise investment unless Gabe Newell can convince more developers to release on Linux, or unless you plan to pay extra to put Windows on it and use Steam Big Picture mode on your TV.

Don't even try to convince that there is a better option for the OP ... As far as he's concerned it's steam box or nothing and please only give an opinion about it.



Frogger on 16 May 2014
shikamaru317 said:

The main appeal of Steam Machines imo is that you get fairly powerful specs in a console form factor that is perfect for the living room. Sure you could build you own PC for a bit cheaper, but most PC cases are larger than consoles and vertical instead of horizontal, not ideal for the living room. And the few HTPC cases that are large enough to fit a fairly powerful graphics card are bigger than Steam Machines, and usually cost so much that they'd negate any savings from building your own PC.

The main issue with Steam Machines is that it's based on Linux, and right now most PC games don't come to Linux. Steam Machines won't be a wise investment unless Gabe Newell can convince more developers to release on Linux, or unless you plan to pay extra to put Windows on it and use Steam Big Picture mode on your TV.


This is literally the exact kind of answer I was looking for. Thank you for not getting pissy because I wasn't interested in the alternatives. So maybe I should wait like a year after launch to see how well it's supported?



fatslob-:O on 16 May 2014
RavenXtra said:

At the end of the day its his money & his decision. If he enjoys his purchase then that's really all that matters after all.

True that but I highly doubt the OP will like it and won't come back and haunt us because of our misguiding recommendations. 

It's his loss ...



HoloDust on 16 May 2014
spemanig said:
HoloDust said:
spemanig said:

Steam OS is the only reason I'm even considering the steam box. I've seen it in use, and it's exactly like a console. It may literally be a PC, but it feels like a console, and there's no tinkering.

And this is not an issue of me needing anything. It's not a question of "where should a play 3rd party games." It's "should I get a steambox." If the answer is no, I'll be fine with not playing those games, as I only play video games casually and don't really care.

Hm, it seems you can't quite make up your mind:

spemanig said:

I just want a console that plays 3rd party games with free online.

Anyway, sure, with Steam Box you will be able to play some 3rd party games and it has free online, so by all means, do buy it.


That's taken out of context. I never asked what would be a good machine to play 3rd party games on. It's not a question of "where should I play 3rd party games.

Sure, let me rephrase it - with SteamBox you'll be able to play games and it has free online, so by all means, do buy it.



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fatslob-:O on 16 May 2014
shikamaru317 said:

Yes. Or pay extra to Windows on it and use Steam Big Picture mode, which is virtually the same as Steam OS. 

What part of his aggressive strategy to avoid PC as much as possible do you not understand ? He does not want to go around and keep messing with more shit. 



green_sky on 16 May 2014
spemanig said:

EDIT: I'm not building or buying a P.C. I'm not getting a PS4 or XBO. Those aren't options. Please stop trying to convince me. I just want to know "Steam Machine good or bad." I don't care what you think is better, because I clearly don't think they're better.

Yes, since you are clearly not willing to put any time or effort into building or buying a competent pc. Steam machines are great option for someone like yourself. Infact, you are probably the very target market they are going for. 



fatslob-:O on 16 May 2014
shikamaru317 said:
An additional benefit of waiting a year to see how many developers support SteamOS is that manufacturers may upgrade their Steam Machines with the next generation of CPU's, GPU's, and RAM after about a year or so, so you'd get better specs for the same price in that case.

He intends to keep thinking that the steam machines are consoles instead of inferior PC's so I guess he'll like to keep using his steam machine as a console. Don't expect him to transition to a new steam machine very fast. 



Frogger on 16 May 2014
shikamaru317 said:
spemanig said:

This is literally the exact kind of answer I was looking for. Thank you for not getting pissy because I wasn't interested in the alternatives. So maybe I should wait like a year after launch to see how well it's supported?

Yes. Or pay extra to Windows on it and use Steam Big Picture mode, which is virtually the same as Steam OS. 


Is the steam controller natively compatable with the Windows run steam games? Why didn't they just have the Steam OS use Windows if they were gonna include it in some steamboxes anyway? I'm looking up steam big picture mode now. If it doesn't mess with the ease of use and it's not insanely more expensive, I'll probably go with that.



Frogger on 16 May 2014
shikamaru317 said:
BTW, Alienware still hasn't announced specs or pricing for their Steam Machine unless I missed it, and they have a reputation for overcharging, so you may want to consider the iBuyPower or CyberPowerPC Steam Machines instead, they will both cost $500 and have specs that are roughly equivalent to the PS4.


Well they said that that they'd price the entry console "competitively" to the two consoles, which I assumed would be around around the $500 price range. If it isn't, then I'll probably just consider the two you suggested instead.