Just what the hell is a steam machine?

[redmoretrout]

Can someone please explain the concept of a steam machine to me because I just don't get it. It seems to be a PC thats solely dedicated to gaming, why would I want that? A console seems cheaper and has the benefit of the gaming industry specially developing games for that setup, so theres no need to upgrade regularly. And a gaming PC has all the uses and functions of a computer as well as a console.

So what is the selling point of the steam machine?

 

[spartandude]

Steam Machines?

I'm serious this is the first time someone has mentioned them in probably over a year.


Basically Steam Machines were just prebuilt PCs with Steam OS on them. I think the general idea was for them to be smaller then the average PC so it could be put under your TV like a console would. The problem with them was that there going to be really expensive, even by prebuilt PC standards. And that they were meant to appeal to console players (encouraging them to use PC) but the only people who knew about them were PC users and they saw how bad of a deal it was.

 

[CrystalShadow]

They are dedicated PC gaming systems intended for living room use.
Or at least, that was the intention.

They were supposed to basically be the PC gaming equivalent of a Console.

Pre-built, small, cheap.

Unfortunately, the reality of what they ended up being was really nothing like that, and they end up being worse (and often more expensive) than just putting together your own gaming PC.
So... The concept kind of fell apart at the seams.

 

[DoPo]

I'm serious this is the first time someone has mentioned them in probably over a year.

Nope, pretty much this thread was posted less than six months ago: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.876939-Poll-Steam-Machines-Am-I-missing-the-sales-pitch

 

[pookie101]

an attempt to remake the amiga for the modern pc market using steam OS basically

 

[Vigormortis]

Are we really rehashing this question? Again?

Maybe this time it won't devolve into a circle-jerk of PC elitism, console elitism, or general Valve hate. Most of these threads do.

But you know what? I'll bite.

You want to know what a Steam Machine is? Let's cut through the bullshit and, you know....go to the source [http://store.steampowered.com/sale/steam_machines].

If you want one of those, good for you. I hope it's fantastic. If you don't, also good for you. Glad you saved some money. I don't care either way. All I know for certain is that there are a lot of people who do want one. Even those who generally don't use Steam.

The problem with them was that there going to be really expensive, even by prebuilt PC standards.

Um...not really. They're either roughly on par with or slightly cheaper than most pre-builts of their caliber. In fact, the Alienware Steam Machine is only $50 more than a PS4 or Xbone, and it's specs vastly outperform either of them.

And that they were meant to appeal to console players

Except, they weren't. People assumed that was Valve's intent. They never said as much. The only intent they discussed was giving people a 'PC experience in the living room'. Make of that as you will.

but the only people who knew about them were PC users and they saw how bad of a deal it was.

Odd then that quite a number of my friends and family, some of whom are 'console only' while others are 'PC master race', are interested in buying a Steam Machine.

Maybe they're just lying to me? Wouldn't be the first time, those tricksy bastards...

Nope, pretty much this thread was posted less than six months ago: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/9.876939-Poll-Steam-Machines-Am-I-missing-the-sales-pitch

That was a fun thread, wasn't it? So much nonsense. So much misinformation.

Good times. Good times.

I'm amazed that people are, in some inconceivable way, still confused on what Steam Machines are. I would have thought, with information readily available on individual units and the concept as a whole, it would be pretty clear by now.

Oh well.

 

[Something Amyss]

Pre-built, small, cheap.

Unfortunately, the reality of what they ended up being was really nothing like that, and they end up being worse (and often more expensive) than just putting together your own gaming PC.
So... The concept kind of fell apart at the seams.

It was always going to be like that.

Most consoles see their cost subsudised based on the knowledge that the gamer will have to buy games. These games are licsened to the console. This means the manufacturer see s some money no matter who buys the game and where (providing it's a new purchase, of course).

Steam Machines, however, are built by third parties predominantly, and sold for profit.

However comma,

As someone who makes her living off often simple things involving computers and other tech, I can see there being a fairly sizable market for people who want to enter PC gaming but can't be arsed to build their own. The benefit to a consolised PC is that it would ostensibly have standard parts and fewer of the variables that require elbow grease and time to deal with. A good chunk of people simply can't be bothered to deal with the technical end of computers, no matter how simple you make them.

But Steam Machines didn't really do any of that, which is why they were bound to fail.

 

[stroopwafel]

Yeah, I'm tempted to buy the Alienware Alpha 'steam machine' for the longest time as it's basically a PC with the convenience of a console. Just a single box that you can plug into your TV and boots up like a Playstation. The only thing holding me back is the price. Now I wouldn't really care the thing being expensive if it had a performance that matched up to its price, which it doesn't unfortunately. You're basically playing the PC versions of games with mid-range PC specs at a much higher price. Even the comparatively much cheaper PS4 outperforms the Alienware on modern titles simply b/c games have been optimized for the system.

I still really like the idea of a plug&play PC though. Unfortunately they aren't really competitive with consoles at the moment. Not in price and not in game optimization.

 

[nomotog_v1legacy]

I am worried about compatibility. It's a linux box, so you can't play all your games on it. I was thinking about building my own steam box, but linux wasn't going to run all my games.

 

[Hairless Mammoth]

They're basically the stepping stone between console and PC. They aren't supposed to directly compete with consoles, but draw in those that are curious about PC games. Since they are prebuilt PCs, they also are good for existing PC gamers that don't feel like making another custom build or messing with an OEM PC to get Steam OS installed. Of course, they changed in my eyes since the original concept, and even I don't know exactly how Valve plans to make them viable in the long run.

The original concept of the Steam Machine was for there to be one or maybe two hardware (inexpensive) configurations that would set a standard for developers to aim for and make it easy for non-PC savvy gamers to buy a gaming PC. After the hardware got out of date, a new configuration would be released and also anyone with an older Steam Machine could upgrade it themselves with whatever off the shelf components (GFX card, Memory, HDD) they saw fit. All of that went down the drain when Valve revealed wayyyyy too many different configurations from tons of different PC builders, (many of which are super overpriced and over spec'd).

Now, all that's left that really matters about the name is the fact that Steam Machines will have a custom OS (just a dressed up Linux version with Steam installed) and come with Valve's new controller. Anyone can build a PC, put Steam OS on it, and sell it. (I'd sure you need Valve's permission to sell it as a Steam Machine, though.) Even the Alienware Steam Machine is just the Alienware Alpha mentioned above with some branding tweaks and possibly some minor hardware differences. Though, the Alpha is one of the OEM machines without much room for upgrades.

Spoiler: More of me getting out of hand with typing

You can also turn your existing PC into a Steam Machine by downloading and installing the OS for free. And the controller (or an Xbox 360 controller or whatever else you can get to work) is already for sale, if the complete console experience is desired. Most PCs today also have HDMI out (w/ audio) so a single cable is all one needs to hook up a to an HDTV. Steam on Windows and Mac already has a full screen mode (Big Picture) that fullscreens everything and allows the Steam menus to be navigated with a controller. Even some games without controller support actually worked with an Xbox controller in that mode.

Although, the big flaw holding that new operating system strategy back is the limited Linux game library. It is growing, but many AAA publishers and small indie developers don't want to or can't expend the resources to port their games over. The good news is the machines are still pure PCs hardware wise, so installing Windows, either overwriting Steam OS or beside Steam OS in a dual boot setup, isn't impossible for someone with basic PC (and instruction reading) skills.

 

[Maximum Bert]

The amount of confusion over what a steam machine is just shows how badly Valve have handled it.

The idea of a pre-built PC that can be easily accessible and allow consumers to easily cut through the specs required to play games and just tell you that yes this will run this game at a decent quality is appealing and I really think Valve with their stranglehold on the PC digital market could have run away with it.

What they have created though is a complete mess just a poorly marketed plethora of machines that has neither the benefits of a PC or console. As for Steam OS I would love for it to grow and actually become something useful but as it stands I dont know why anyone would want to put it on their PC when they can do so much more with Linux or windows.

All the Steam machines have going for it now is the name time will tell if that is enough to sell them.

 

[Dornedas]

Well A steam machine what is a steam machine. Let's play dumb.
A steam machine is a big, round room with two holes in it.
The first hole. Here enters the steam.
The second hole. We will talk about later.

Spoiler: I hope you speak German otherwise you won't be able to appreciate this.

 

[DoPo]

I am worried about compatibility. It's a linux box, so you can't play all your games on it. I was thinking about building my own steam box, but linux wasn't going to run all my games.

Umm, you can always slap Windows on it, you know. What's your problem again?

 

[nomotog_v1legacy]

I am worried about compatibility. It's a linux box, so you can't play all your games on it. I was thinking about building my own steam box, but linux wasn't going to run all my games.

Umm, you can always slap Windows on it, you know. What's your problem again?

That not all my games will play on linux. I actually did just slap windows on it. The original idea was to make my own steam box. Build a computer and put the steam OS on it, but the compatibility thing was an issue so I just put windows on instead. It's the same parts, but can't really call it a steam box when it doesn't run the OS.

 

[DoPo]

I am worried about compatibility. It's a linux box, so you can't play all your games on it. I was thinking about building my own steam box, but linux wasn't going to run all my games.

Umm, you can always slap Windows on it, you know. What's your problem again?

That not all my games will play on linux. I actually did just slap windows on it. The original idea was to make my own steam box. Build a computer and put the steam OS on it, but the compatibility thing was an issue so I just put windows on instead. It's the same parts, but can't really call it a steam box when it doesn't run the OS.

Sure you can call it a Steam box, if you want to. Or does Gabe himself descent from the heavens and slap you in the face with a fish if you do that? I've seen no pictures of that happening, therefore using the law of "pics or it didn't happen", I can conclude that doesn't happen.

 

[nomotog_v1legacy]

I am worried about compatibility. It's a linux box, so you can't play all your games on it. I was thinking about building my own steam box, but linux wasn't going to run all my games.

Umm, you can always slap Windows on it, you know. What's your problem again?

That not all my games will play on linux. I actually did just slap windows on it. The original idea was to make my own steam box. Build a computer and put the steam OS on it, but the compatibility thing was an issue so I just put windows on instead. It's the same parts, but can't really call it a steam box when it doesn't run the OS.

Sure you can call it a Steam box, if you want to. Or does Gabe himself descent from the heavens and slap you in the face with a fish if you do that? I've seen no pictures of that happening, therefore using the law of "pics or it didn't happen", I can conclude that doesn't happen.

It's a herring actually. But you get the point. If you have to hack up your steam box load it up with windows, then it loses it's point of existing as a steam box. All you have is a PC.

 

[DoPo]

I am worried about compatibility. It's a linux box, so you can't play all your games on it. I was thinking about building my own steam box, but linux wasn't going to run all my games.

Umm, you can always slap Windows on it, you know. What's your problem again?

That not all my games will play on linux. I actually did just slap windows on it. The original idea was to make my own steam box. Build a computer and put the steam OS on it, but the compatibility thing was an issue so I just put windows on instead. It's the same parts, but can't really call it a steam box when it doesn't run the OS.

Sure you can call it a Steam box, if you want to. Or does Gabe himself descent from the heavens and slap you in the face with a fish if you do that? I've seen no pictures of that happening, therefore using the law of "pics or it didn't happen", I can conclude that doesn't happen.

It's a herring actually. But you get the point. If you have to hack up your steam box load it up with windows, then it loses it's point of existing. All you have is a PC.

It is a PC...

Man, why do I feel I've already said that?

So then why in God's good name would I want a $500 piece of tech that acts like a PC

It is a PC.

Oh right. I guess some things don't really change.

 

[nomotog_v1legacy]

I am worried about compatibility. It's a linux box, so you can't play all your games on it. I was thinking about building my own steam box, but linux wasn't going to run all my games.

Umm, you can always slap Windows on it, you know. What's your problem again?

That not all my games will play on linux. I actually did just slap windows on it. The original idea was to make my own steam box. Build a computer and put the steam OS on it, but the compatibility thing was an issue so I just put windows on instead. It's the same parts, but can't really call it a steam box when it doesn't run the OS.

Sure you can call it a Steam box, if you want to. Or does Gabe himself descent from the heavens and slap you in the face with a fish if you do that? I've seen no pictures of that happening, therefore using the law of "pics or it didn't happen", I can conclude that doesn't happen.

It's a herring actually. But you get the point. If you have to hack up your steam box load it up with windows, then it loses it's point of existing. All you have is a PC.

It is a PC...

Man, why do I feel I've already said that?

So then why in God's good name would I want a $500 piece of tech that acts like a PC

It is a PC.

Oh right. I guess some things don't really change.

Oh well then I guess we just get to the end. If it's just a PC, why even bother? We got PCs. We are bursting at the seams with PCs, so what is the steam box for? I honestly don't know.

 

[RedRockRun]

How long has it been since news of this first came out? It's been at least five years, hasn't it? Anyway, it just seems like a Steam program like "Big Picture" installed on a semi-customizable PC and then packaged to look like a console. It all feels way too confusing. If people want to customize their PC's, why go halfway with this and not just build a PC? Am I missing something?