Home Gaming Check out this Steam Machine prototype

Check out this Steam Machine prototype

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I don’t know why, but I really like the idea of a Steam Machine. Maybe it’s because I’m into any device that lets me play games, or maybe because I’d really love to get through my Steam backlog from the comfort of my couch. Regardless, iBuyPower has made a prototype of a Steam Machine and it’s looking pretty sexy.

Engadget reports that iBuyPower is building their Steam Machines for a 2014 launch; they are in the process of prototyping two models codenamed Gordon and Freeman. The two versions are identical, except that the light bar in the middle – one model’s is clear while the other’s is black when not illuminated. I totally want the black one – it would make the thing look like an inverse Oreo.

Most interesting, while they wouldn’t talk about the internals of these prototypes, iBuyPower has confirmed that the hardware would run all Steam titles in 1080p at 60fps. Um, does that mean that this little box is more powerful than Xbox One? Without knowing any particulars about the inner workings, we can’t make any determinations about this Steam Machine. However, it’s pretty cool to see what one manufacturer is able to put together. I’m curious to see what others manage, and what the response is to the hardware beta. I still think that Steam controller is completely bizarre, but possibly truly awesome.

Here are some “Steamy” images for your viewing pleasure.

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Last Updated: November 26, 2013

126 Comments

  1. FoxOneZA

    November 26, 2013 at 12:05

    “iBuyPower has confirmed that the hardware would run all Steam titles in 1080p at 60fps”

    But not all games will run at 1080p 60fps now would it?

    Reply

  2. Vampyric Squirrel of the Sith

    November 26, 2013 at 12:05

    interesting… it’s tiny compared to “current” gen… looks prettier… I wonder if it over heads and mini-bricks?

    Reply

  3. Admiral Chief Duke

    November 26, 2013 at 12:06

    Wow, my screen just fogged up

    Reply

  4. Craig Boonzaier

    November 26, 2013 at 12:06

    Aah gimmicks, the light changes colour, i’m sold.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Duke

      November 26, 2013 at 12:07

      XD

      Reply

    • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

      November 26, 2013 at 12:10

      And just look how it stands on its side, all by itself. Imagine having to buy a silly plastic stand just to make that possible.

      Reply

    • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

      November 26, 2013 at 12:25

      Another gimmick is that it actually plays games. And doesn’t explode in a fiery ball of shrapnel and disappointment. 😉

      Reply

  5. Admiral Chief Duke

    November 26, 2013 at 12:06

    ” iBuyPower has confirmed that the hardware would run all Steam titles in 1080p at 60fps”

    So what price then?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      November 26, 2013 at 12:11

      I cant believe what I’m reading. Master Race might join the peasants?

      Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        November 26, 2013 at 12:11

        If they call it a PC in the form of a console, then it’s just a transformer. And we retain our status as the bestest. Ever.

        Reply

        • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

          November 26, 2013 at 12:12

          Just calling it something doesn’t make it so. Quite true. Like calling the ANC a government. Or calling Tim a boy.

          Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 26, 2013 at 12:13

          Like a PS4 and a XBOX One?

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 26, 2013 at 12:14

            Don’t be silly, they are not nearly powerful enough 😛

          • Hammersteyn

            November 26, 2013 at 12:16

            Really? How much more powerful is the Steamer

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 26, 2013 at 12:18

            So powerful it eats a eierdoos and pee s on toast, with steam 😉

          • Hammersteyn

            November 26, 2013 at 12:20

            Ewwww

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 26, 2013 at 12:20

            After it eats, it gives a Wii

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:18

            We only know it is powered by the same technology witnessed in Half Life 2.

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:14

            Hey. They still call those consoles. It’s about perception. The ideological description process is important to us! 😛

          • Hammersteyn

            November 26, 2013 at 12:15

            PC in a box sounds silly. Console is less confusing.

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:16

            I’d rather hear ‘rat-onna-stick’ than ‘kebab’. Just saying. 😉

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:18

            I’d go for Iguana on a stick (fallout ftw)

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:18

            Pratchett or Fallout references work for me here! 😀

          • Mark Treloar

            November 26, 2013 at 12:15

            The MAC is technically a PC, but its still not one of us.

          • Admiral Chief Duke

            November 26, 2013 at 12:15

            Agreed

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:16

            Exactly! Technically. Yes. Like how technically we’re all apes.

          • Hammersteyn

            November 26, 2013 at 12:16

            I’m a gorilla

          • Mark Treloar

            November 26, 2013 at 12:16

            Still an Ape

          • Hammersteyn

            November 26, 2013 at 12:19

            Yes but a big one.

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:17

            Is that what she said?

          • Hammersteyn

            November 26, 2013 at 12:18

            Yes she said that it felt like she slept with one.

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:19

            BooM!

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:19

            So she struggled to dislodge you? You gotta get that looked at… 😛

          • Hammersteyn

            November 26, 2013 at 12:21

            Bwahahaha

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:17

            Well, no. We’re technically not all apes. We are all apes. Actually. Macs PRETEND to be PC’s. We’re not PRETENDING to be Apes. Nor are they pretending to be us. We are us. And them.

            *headache

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:19

            *veins pops in head*
            Yes, but I see MAC as the ape in the zoo, and us PC’s are all looking at it doing funny things from the other side of the fence.

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:20

            Substitute zoo with prison. 😉

          • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

            November 26, 2013 at 15:52

            Some apes are just more equal than other apes. 🙁

          • Vampyric Squirrel of the Sith

            November 26, 2013 at 12:15

            we’re all part of the master race now!!!!

      • Mark Treloar

        November 26, 2013 at 12:12

        No because the specs on some of the Steam boxes would support 1440p if games support it.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 26, 2013 at 12:17

          Eish!

          Reply

      • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

        November 26, 2013 at 15:51

        And… the device is reliant on digital content – plus DRMed (possibly online only). Microsoft must be ready to defenestrate itself. Sometimes I have to laugh at the gaming world. It’s as crazy as the world of politics.

        Reply

    • Poet pompies

      November 26, 2013 at 12:50

      It has a AMD based multicore CPU and a radeon R9 270 GPU, include a steam controller and cost $500

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Duke

        November 26, 2013 at 12:52

        Consider it SOLD then

        Reply

  6. Hammersteyn

    November 26, 2013 at 12:07

    I saw one more prototype

    Reply

    • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

      November 26, 2013 at 12:11

      No Steyn, you click on “games and hardware”, not “appliances”.

      Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        November 26, 2013 at 12:12

        ^ This. Lol!

        Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 26, 2013 at 12:12

        LOL It’s a console that boils water with the heat from the machine.

        Reply

        • Sageville

          November 26, 2013 at 12:19

          I believe it’s powered by fanboi tears

          Reply

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:20

            I don’t cry. I water my beard.

          • Sageville

            November 26, 2013 at 12:22

            … in a manly fashion I assume….

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:23

            Is there any other way?

          • Sageville

            November 26, 2013 at 12:25

            /Beard-bro-fist-pump

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        November 26, 2013 at 12:20

        He is clearly having a conflicted day. Unsure if he should be in front of a console or in the kitchen

        Reply

        • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

          November 26, 2013 at 12:21

          LOL!

          Reply

        • Admiral Chief Duke

          November 26, 2013 at 12:22

          One arm bandit strikes again!

          Reply

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            November 26, 2013 at 12:26

            Lol.

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          November 26, 2013 at 12:48

          Hormones :/

          Reply

      • RyseandRepeat

        November 26, 2013 at 12:37

        Someone is on form today. I may not have to ask you twice to silence yourself *onedayblackeyefree

        Reply

        • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

          November 26, 2013 at 12:40

          It doesn’t happen often. Captain Eyeliner is not holding back today. Finally have some time to comment.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 26, 2013 at 12:48

            Look at that, he still thinks he’s the comments judge. It’s so cute.

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:50

            Who me?
            I understand I still report to the veterans like yourself, The Admiral and Master Rince (though I’m not sure why I report to the last one, smells of rooibos)

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 26, 2013 at 12:54

            No, the rooibos one. He still needs to learn that antioxidants doesn’t mean he has to suck all the oxygen out the room.

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:56

            Lucky for you, being an alien and all, you don’t need oxygen.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 26, 2013 at 12:57

            I know, but what about everyone else here? Someone has to stand up to this evil.

          • RyseandRepeat

            November 26, 2013 at 12:50

            Although you may look like Susan Boyle, you lack any real talent. Next.

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:53

            He looks like Susan Boyle? Wow, I would’ve walked right past him and never even knew it was the Emperor.

          • RyseandRepeat

            November 26, 2013 at 13:25

            Think Pizza hut 😉

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 26, 2013 at 12:55

            Stop it you flirt!

  7. hairyknees

    November 26, 2013 at 12:08

    Volvo ftw!

    Reply

  8. John's (JJ's) finest excuse

    November 26, 2013 at 12:09

    I’ll take two thank you

    Reply

  9. SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

    November 26, 2013 at 12:10

    O.O It looks so pretty! So shiney! So… precious..
    We.. wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious..

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      November 26, 2013 at 12:58

      The Precious is MINE!

      Reply

      • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

        November 26, 2013 at 12:59

        Get your own precious! They’re mass produced in Taiwan! Or China! Or a suitable East Asian country with poor child labour laws!

        Reply

        • Kensei Seraph

          November 26, 2013 at 13:02

          But, but, but, MINE!!!

          Reply

  10. Sageville

    November 26, 2013 at 12:14

    Looks like PS4 and XBone had a baby and painted it white.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Duke

      November 26, 2013 at 12:15

      Except this baby is more powerful than the parents

      Reply

      • Her Highness the Hipster

        November 26, 2013 at 12:20

        like children of the corn?

        Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        November 26, 2013 at 12:25

        The question than will be, what is to be inside and what will this cost?

        Reply

      • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

        November 26, 2013 at 12:25

        The bigger questions is…which one of the Xbone and PS4 would be the mother? *waits for riot to ensue*

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Duke

          November 26, 2013 at 12:26

          Nope, both are b!tch3$

          Reply

          • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

            November 26, 2013 at 12:27

            So adoption? Or immaculate conception? 🙂

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:27

            I really can’t comment on this at all without sounding sexist.

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            November 26, 2013 at 12:46

            Of course you can. You just preface your comment with, “I don’t want to sound sexist but…” Then everything’s okay!

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:48

            Haha. Like how people start with “I’m not a racist, but…”

          • Sageville

            November 26, 2013 at 12:56

            LoL, you know 100% guaranteed, the stuff following that will be racist. It’s like a rule.

        • TiMsTeR1033

          November 26, 2013 at 12:27

          The Xbone is clearly the mother, and its got its fathers eyes!

          Reply

          • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

            November 26, 2013 at 12:28

            Hopefully it doesn’t have the red-eye curse of it’s grandparents

        • Sageville

          November 26, 2013 at 12:57

          …not sure, but they are definitely divorced and fighting all the time….

          Reply

      • Kensei Seraph

        November 26, 2013 at 12:57

        That’s evolution for you.

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      November 26, 2013 at 12:15

      Or they had a white baby?

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        November 26, 2013 at 12:18

        Twins.

        one with a clear light and the other with a black one.

        One is called Gordon Freeman. The other is Morgan Freeman.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          November 26, 2013 at 12:19

          Bwahahahaha

          Reply

        • SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad

          November 26, 2013 at 12:21

          Best. Way. Ever. To describe those two models. 😀

          Reply

        • John's (JJ's) finest excuse

          November 26, 2013 at 12:22

          One sounds epic, the other one is mute.

          Reply

          • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

            November 26, 2013 at 12:24

            Yeah I heard the Gordon version had some serious sound issues huehuehue

          • Sageville

            November 26, 2013 at 13:00

            One you see mainly on TV, the other mainly in games….

          • Kensei Seraph

            November 26, 2013 at 13:03

            So one is designed as a media centre and the other as for gaming?

  11. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    November 26, 2013 at 12:16

    Still dig the idea of the Steam OS. I wouldn’t specifically go and buy myself a pre-built Steam Machine. But I surely would install Steam OS on to my current machine

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Duke

      November 26, 2013 at 12:25

      Agreed, same here

      Reply

    • Matthew Holliday

      November 26, 2013 at 12:27

      depends on how well the steam machine turns out in the end.
      but Im giving more thought to the steam machine than I did for the ps4, which im not gna bother with untill the price drops and the slimver version is released.

      Reply

      • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

        November 26, 2013 at 12:30

        Can’t argue with you there

        Reply

  12. That Tall Twit

    November 26, 2013 at 12:23

    My steam machine!

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      November 26, 2013 at 12:26

      Its an old steam machine! Ver 0.1

      Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 26, 2013 at 12:26

      I think you have some serious issues with your water cooling :/

      Reply

  13. John's (JJ's) finest excuse

    November 26, 2013 at 12:30

    Dat Steam sign

    Reply

  14. RyseandRepeat

    November 26, 2013 at 12:31

    yellow, green AND orange lines of death?! WINNER!

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 26, 2013 at 12:45

      Green & orange. So go fast & go faster. No red for stop.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Duke

        November 26, 2013 at 12:45

        LOOOOL

        Reply

  15. Kensei Seraph

    November 26, 2013 at 12:55

    It looks so pretty.

    Reply

  16. Darren Peach

    November 26, 2013 at 12:59

    That new controller of theirs is so sexy.

    Reply

  17. HvR

    November 26, 2013 at 13:11

    I want to tell the love story about two machines forbidden love. On opposite sides of the TV stand lived two machines PS4 of the family Sony and (the bit bigboned) One of family Microsoft.

    Late on night after getting drunk on some DLC bought papsak they made passionate love and 9 months a bastard love child called Steam machine was born bearing his mothers light bar and his fat daddy’s bulkiness.

    Reply

  18. ToshZA

    November 26, 2013 at 13:41

    That is one sexy box right there. Actually. Except, the controller must also be white, then it’d be perfect. I’d buy it just to have it as a showpiece on my wall unit. Of course I’d game on it as well if I bought it. IF. O_o

    Reply

  19. Guest

    November 26, 2013 at 13:43

    Something I really hate…why does all “gamer hardware” have all these garish LEDs?
    All that I want is a tiny LED that’s green when on and red when on standby…

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      November 26, 2013 at 13:44

      BECAUSE ITS SHINEY OMG! ITS SO SHINEY IM GONNA DIE!!!

      Reply

      • Guest

        November 26, 2013 at 14:41

        Lol. I’m going to die from a headache with all these damn LEDs on all my electronics.
        Damn, I’m getting too old 🙁
        Now get off my lawn!

        Reply

  20. ToshZA

    November 26, 2013 at 13:43

    Also, no disk drive? So if I buy retail (which does happen from time to time, in between sexy steam sales), I’d have to download the game anyways. What is the point in retail then? Urgh. One step forwards, 2 steps back…

    Reply

  21. Skyblue

    November 26, 2013 at 15:05

    PlaySteam One

    Reply

  22. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    November 26, 2013 at 15:43

    And the Wii spawned yet another prodigal son. Tune in next week for another explosive episode of SUper Dimentional Wolfpack Console brothers.

    Reply

  23. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    November 26, 2013 at 15:45

    So, here’s a serious question to the PC gamers, if you get a steam box, do you realise that you’ll then be a console gamer? Will the master-race/peasant divide still exist? Will PC gamers admit to being console gamers or will the Steam box be an honourary PC?

    Reply

  24. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    November 26, 2013 at 15:49

    The xbone overmasters must be really pissed off, because here comes Steam and they do exactly what the xboner chiefs wanted, a DRMed device that’s completely reliant on digital content. EA and Major Nelson must be kicking themselves, and yet again…. Steam gets that free pass from its fanbase.

    Hahahahahha!

    Reply

  25. DrKiller

    November 27, 2013 at 10:51

    That looks like a pimped Wii.. Wii with disco lights!

    Reply

  26. Uberutang

    November 27, 2013 at 12:00

    $499. I’d take one.

    Reply

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