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Steam Machine

store.steampowered.com

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Re: Steam Machine

#791

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Valve respects its customers. It is so insane that this isn't a norm; what a world we would be in if all companies did so.

Don't sugarcoat it. Valve has to make sure this is advertised as a PC to keep the licensing good on the games you've bought and that they are allowed to sell. Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony have closed ecosystems with their consoles. Well, Microsoft seems to be throwing in the towel on consoles.

Didn't Xbox pivot to be an entertainment system a couple generations ago and flop compared to PlayStation?

Re: Steam Machine

#792

> Install your own apps, or even another operating system. Who are we to tell you how to use your computer? I'm so happy to read this

Me, too. I've been meaning to upgrade my HTPC for years, but I kept holding off because I had hoped that NVIDIA would release a new ShieldTV (the last one used the same chip as the Switch, so the community had quietly hoped that the Switch 2's release would coincide with a new Shield--no such luck). Assuming the Steam Machine is reasonably priced, I could easily see it also becoming my new Kodi box when not gaming on it.

Re: Steam Machine

#793
Does anyone know if the resolution is good enough to use it for work? I.e., e-mails, programming, etc

EDIT: I mean the VR googles.

Re: Steam Machine

#794
post #69

"Steam Machine’s pricing is comparable to a PC with similar specs" [0] It has to be no more than 800€ then if it also wants to compete against the console market. Even 800€ is too much imo because looking at the specs it's already not a "future proof" build, more like a previous gen gaming laptop 0, https://www.theverge.com/tech/818111/valve-steam-machine-han...

600€ is top I would pay for this, and even then the HDMI 2.0 sucks. I get that it's a linux/amd issue with HDMI licensing but it still sucks for a media center when most TVs these days support 4k/120 VRR. I really like the controller, I think I'll pass on the device and just stream from my PC to TV.

Digital foundry have confirmed it supports 4K/120 VRR. It's actually beyond the HDMI 2.0 spec, but not listed as 2.1 as it misses out on some obscure features of the spec. Doubtful you'd get 4K 120p on too many contemporary titles with this hardware configuration though.

Re: Steam Machine

#795
post #697

> Install your own apps, or even another operating system. Who are we to tell you how to use your computer? I'm so happy to read this

Fingers crossed for a smartphone next. So sick of that force fed walled garden crap from Apple and Google. Might also help to slow down enshittification by a bit if there was a popular alternative. Maybe something like Waydroid could even ease with transition.

Given that the frame runs steamOS on ARM hardware, I could see something like a phone in the future.

But also, phones don't seem to be the best hardware to play PC games which is kinda the whole deal.

I maybe would see first a smaller ARM based device (like those retro consoles).

Re: Steam Machine

#797
post #793

Does anyone know if the resolution is good enough to use it for work? I.e., e-mails, programming, etc EDIT: I mean the VR googles.

Its a linux computer, if you connect it to a 4k monitor you could use that.

The one issue I see is that it only has one HDMI port, so you couldn't connect two screens without a dongle.

But for all intents and purposes, its a prebuilt pc in a tiny form factor.

Re: Steam Machine

#798
This kind of inspires me. I have an i5-1340p NUC I’m not using for anything at the moment, I wonder if I could press it into service as a sort of “dry run” for this type of experience

Re: Steam Machine

#799

Very weird USB-C port placement choices... - 2 USB3-A on the front - 2 USB2-A on the back - 1 USB-C on the back If you want to plug an external USB hard drive or SSD at full speed, you'll need to plug it at the front? Or use up the only USB-C port... I suspect most joysticks sold today come with a USB-C to USB-C cable, so if you want to charge your controller you either need to plug on the back, use an adapter, or ge…

The steam machine has a bespoke wireless connector for the (new steam) controller so it doesn't pollute the Bluetooth network and cause lag.

Yes, the controller is charged through usb-c, but you can just use any charger around to charge that. I mean, the battery should last for 30+ hours so you only need to charge it on a weekly or biweekly basis with heavy usage.

Re: Steam Machine

#800
post #647

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yup. Sounds like its just a PC and not a locked down platform. Its easy for them and convenient for everyone.

Except that (I believe) "just a PC" was a bit offputting for a lot of people - when you buy a PC you can't just turn it on and play video games, especially not after Microsoft's shenanigans. I'm honestly surprised nobody else tried a "boot to game library" PC, but then, you also need the name and reputation for it. Microsoft could've done it, but they chose to make a console. Which is mostly a PC, but you need xbox g…

This is a good comment, I don’t understand the downvotes.

Anything that makes the PC gaming experience more like a console is good. This is the first gaming PC that I could actually justify putting in the living room.

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