We’ve known about Steam Machines for well over a year now, and there has already been a rather enthusiastic uptake by some of the biggest names in PC hardware. During GDC this week Gabe Newell announced that the first wave of console PCs would be arriving in stores come November, and now we have a good look at what each of them will be.
Valve isn’t making their own Steam Machine, but names like Asus, Alienware, Gigabyte and Origin are all giving it a bash. This has led to some vast differences between models, with some trying to match console prices while others throwing restraint out the window. You get Steam Machines like the Alienware’s i3, and Nvidia powered machine, which comes in at around the same price as an Xbox One/PS4. From there the only way is up, with all sorts of different configurations including Core i7s, Nvidia Maxwell cards and even Titans. Hell, the most expensive of the lot reaches $5000.
I’m still not entirely sure of what market these Steam Machines are aiming for, since most PC gamers would know that anything they build will be far, far cheaper. Sure, these Steam Machines are smaller, easier to deal with and less of a hassle to setup, but that comes at the expense of a lot of features. Overclocking will probably be a distant dream, and you’re still stuck with the daunting idea of having to upgrade in far fewer years than a console. The kind of thing that’s made easier with a bigger, more open tower.
Maybe I need to wait until they actually hit the market to see why Valve has invested so much into the idea of a living room PC. Until then, check out all 14 below. I must admit, most of them look quite sexy.
Last Updated: March 5, 2015
Pariah
March 5, 2015 at 11:33
That Asus one looks awesome. Still not buying one.
CAE9872
March 5, 2015 at 11:51
Asus one does look good. Now these machines may just get me into PC gaming. I love the form factor of these; and I agree to some extent with your previous argument that with day 1 patches, updates, etc consoles are more PCs than consoles now.
So colour me tempted…
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 11:43
I would prefer mine with a nice Steam logo. For reasons 🙂
Either way, the controller is the thing that intrigues me the most about these, but it’s a nice way to maybe lure in some console gamers to give Steam a try.
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 11:46
I would actually consider one of those small ones. Could be nice for traveling.
It doesn’t have to blow my mind with graphics, it just needs to do its job and that Gigabyte one seems like a nice little thing.
CAE9872
March 5, 2015 at 11:51
Ummmm ever heard of handheld gaming; even better for travelling.
Pariah
March 5, 2015 at 11:53
And Nintendo has you covered with loads of 3DS exclusives that just rock. 😀
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 11:53
Handheld gaming doesn’t appeal to me at all. Don’t ask why, because I don’t know, it just doesn’t interest me. When I want to game, I sit down and don’t get up for quite a while and I like to do it with the greatest of comfort 🙂
Pariah
March 5, 2015 at 11:54
Nothing like having a game before bed, while in said bed. Or on that road trip, in the car? What about in a long-ass queue (thanks SARS, you retards)?
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 11:56
Nah. That’s when I read.
And I’ve been lucky enough to be able to avoid large queues for the past four years. 🙂
Matewis Jubilai
March 5, 2015 at 11:52
I kinda want to try at that controller with its track pads. As an exclusive PC gamer, it’s the analog sticks on console controllers that’s the least comfortable, like trying to swim with gumboots 😛
WitWolfy
March 5, 2015 at 11:53
I’m very curious about the Steam OS, like what games will work on it and what wont.. I cant see devs rewritting a whole game e specially one thats like 4 years old for a new operating system.
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 11:54
Steam actually has a SteamOs sale at the moment of a bunch of games at the moment available for the Steam OS. It’s not much, but they’re making quite the effort to get there with the numbers.
Pariah
March 5, 2015 at 11:55
I just bought Civ V complete. Downloading at home right now, so I have that to look forward to later.
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 11:57
Every time that game comes on special I have to remind myself of my backlog, because I want it so badly, and at the same time I know it’s going to EAT my hours.
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 11:54
And the question WHY comes up…
Brady miaau
March 5, 2015 at 12:02
Because it is there
RinceThis
March 5, 2015 at 12:03
Nuff said.
Pariah
March 5, 2015 at 12:07
Because Half Life 3 needs an exclusive platform that makes Valve more money.
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 12:08
Imagine the fights to emerge from these. Console people will judge it from being too pc. Pc people will judge it for being too console.
I might buy one though, I like the idea. As long as the price is right, of course. Lugging my big PC around is a mission.
Mark Treloar
March 5, 2015 at 17:51
Or buy a Micro ATX case and build a cheaper one yourself?
Hammersteyn
March 5, 2015 at 11:55
Now they just need an exclusive launch title………
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 11:57
I’m expecting an RPG called: GabeN and the Quest for Half Life 3.
Norm
March 5, 2015 at 12:05
This!
CAE9872
March 5, 2015 at 11:57
While we on topic of hardware, anyone have any knowledge of these:
http://www.funstock.co.uk/jxd-s7800b-android-gaming-tablet
And yes I know it uses emulation which is a copyright nightmare; be that as it may am interested in how anyone’s experience may have been.
Or anyone tried a Retron device before? http://www.funstock.co.uk/retron-5-black
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 12:16
Wish I could help you with this. First time I’m seeing it now, and now I’m so intrigued I want to know myself 😀
CAE9872
March 5, 2015 at 13:23
The Retron I have kept my eye on for a while – to have all that in one system is great for someone like me in SA where shipping each console costs a small fortune. Getting games is much, much easier even via ebay.
However, in doing my research on the Retron I cam across that JXD and man am I tempted.
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 14:30
It’s really damn cool
Sageville
March 5, 2015 at 12:57
I’m wondering who the target market is?
CAE9872
March 5, 2015 at 13:25
Console owners – take myself. I do not play on PC at all; and very much doubt I ever will. However, IF those things can do everything a PC can do in front of a TV, with a dedicated controller…well they just become PCs in a console which I would certainly consider. Otherwise, no chance.
Captain JJ the damned
March 5, 2015 at 14:31
The Steam OS works very nice with a controller. Very much like Steam on pc’s “big picture mode”. I didn’t quite understand the Steam Machine idea myself, but I’m starting to see the appeal in it.
ReaperOfSquirrels
March 5, 2015 at 13:15
I’d rather just build a pc and load Steam OS onto it… would cost less.
Weanerdog
March 5, 2015 at 15:03
These are not aimed at you, they are aimed at those who don’t want to tinker.
ReaperOfSquirrels
March 5, 2015 at 15:23
Yeah… but if I could build a PC and put PlayStation’s OS on it, I would.
Ghost In The Rift
March 5, 2015 at 13:44
Ill just build a micro PC for far less and load the version of Android they use on it, will it still be the same thing?
Weanerdog
March 5, 2015 at 15:06
That is quite a lot of buy in from a number of manufactures. Not sure if it is because they have some inside info to make their investment pay off or that it is just not prudent not backing Gabe and Steam.
Spy Master Tokashi
March 6, 2015 at 06:35
I just want the steam controller ffs. release it already mofos