Steam Machine

Burgo

Those machines will be revealed at next January's CES, as well as partners and more information (fingers crossed for pricing!). Coomer expects a "good array of options, optimized for different features" in the Steam Machines lineup -- everything from a low-end, inexpensive streaming box to an Intel i7/GeForce Titan GPU-powered supercomputer. The machine above was somewhere in between, with an Intel i7 CPU and a GTX 780 GPU housed in its snug chassis. All the parts in the prototype were swappable, and the only standard it's missing internally is an optical drive (presumably unnecessary if you're running SteamOS and downloading all your games digitally, right?).

http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/04/valve-steam-machine-hands-on/

Banjo

I am very disappointed that they didn't go with a white housing and a red circular LED - ideally with a faux-iris around it that randomly expands and contracts to create the illusion of focusing - to put it more in line with this...
http://tecnoslave.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/15277-portal-camera-video-game.jpg
And if it can't talk to me in GLaDOS's voice, I'm not buying it.

grugni

As far as I know this is the housing for the prototype, Im going to assume that in Q1 next year we will see other hardware manufacturers takes on their versions of what it should look like and more importantly contain

Sierra Oscar

grugni wrote: »

As far as I know this is the housing for the prototype, Im going to assume that in Q1 next year we will see other hardware manufacturers takes on their versions of what it should look like and more importantly contain

Indeed, I think there are more than one variants of the casing being used with the prototypes also.

grugni

Anyone heard anymore about this recently? I have a quick trawl online and found nothing new

Sarky

Nothing for now. Valve are generally pretty good at keeping schtum about their projects though. I've always liked that about them, keeping hype in check leads to less disappointment and fewer apologists.

Sonics2k

A few companies have started to release the specs and prices of their Steam Boxes.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/25/5146398/ibuypower-steam-machine-499-radeon-r9-270

Mickeroo

Wait, so all the games on my steam account won't run on this because of the OS? The price is very tempting though, would shell out for one of these before an Xbox or ps4 especially if you can upgrade the parts.

When is the beta starting?

jester77

Mickeroo wrote: »

Wait, so all the games on my steam account won't run on this because of the OS? The price is very tempting though, would shell out for one of these before an Xbox or ps4 especially if you can upgrade the parts.

When is the beta starting?

They won't run natively if the game doesn't have linux support. But the theory is that you can stream the game from your windows PC to your steam box sitting under the TV without noticing any lag. I haven't seen this demoed yet, I am a little skeptical if this can be done without an ethernet connection. This also means you can have a fairly basic and cheap steam box under your TV just for streaming and let your PC do all the work.

Mickeroo

jester77 wrote: »

They won't run natively if the game doesn't have linux support. But the theory is that you can stream the game from your windows PC to your steam box sitting under the TV without noticing any lag. I haven't seen this demoed yet, I am a little skeptical if this can be done without an ethernet connection. This also means you can have a fairly basic and cheap steam box under your TV just for streaming and let your PC do all the work.

Bit of a deal breaker or me that I have to say. I'm better off just buying a proper gaming rig so.

brianblaze

Just plug a PC into the TV seems a more feasible option... Maybe buy the Steam controller too, but my DualShock works fine. If they are making powerful Titan level PC's at a decent price that's not a monster in size or price, then it makes sense. Otherwise, not so much!

brianblaze

New Machine

...multicore AMD CPU, and used a AMD Radeon R9 270. The full package will be bundled with the Steam Controller, and will cost around $500. It will offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 500GB hard drive as standard, be larger than the PS4, and smaller than the Xbox One.

Mickeroo

These are going to be upgradeable though right? So a couple of years down the line I could get a new graphics card etc?

Would it not also be possible to just install windows on them somehow?

brianblaze

They've said they've no problem with people modding them or upgrading etc. Realistically, they're not making the boxes, they're licensing it out I think

Skerries

brianblaze

http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/27/first-steam-machine-is-same-price-as-xbox-one-4204105/

smileyj1987

brianblaze wrote: »

http://metro.co.uk/2013/11/27/first-steam-machine-is-same-price-as-xbox-one-4204105/

Please just take my money now !!!

MadYaker

Why would anyone with a PC buy one of these?

smileyj1987

MadYaker wrote: »

Why would anyone with a PC buy one of these?

You could buy a steam machine and have it do all your gaming on such a small form factor . If someone's gets one of these to work with windows it could seriously damage the PC market . I mean if you want a new gaming PC and valve are selling a steam machine it makes sense to buy the steam machine . I would have loved to see this hit retail the same time as the new consolee

TerrorFirmer

It doens't work so great for people coming from PC's though, is what he's saying, which is true. Not at first, anyway, given that a huge amount of titles won't work on SteamOS. Compatiability is something that'll come in time. It does depend on what you're playing, but if you were looking to play Battlefield 4 or Titanfall, for examples of huge current and upcoming games, you cannot. That is a huge factor for a lot of potential gamers, and the reason why PC gamers in general wouldn't switch to a steambox for a new machine.

Sonics2k

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

It doens't work so great for people coming from PC's though, is what he's saying, which is true. Not at first, anyway, given that a huge amount of titles won't work on SteamOS. Compatiability is something that'll come in time. It does depend on what you're playing, but if you were looking to play Battlefield 4 or Titanfall, for examples of huge current and upcoming games, you cannot. That is a huge factor for a lot of potential gamers, and the reason why PC gamers in general wouldn't switch to a steambox for a new machine.

I'd love a Steam box really, but I am very much a PC gamer.

I'd get the Steam box if it gave me full access to my Steam catalogue, or at least the main games I'd want to play on it.

The idea of playing Skyrim on my main TV with all of the mods available for the PC version is really really appealing to me.

smileyj1987

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

It doens't work so great for people coming from PC's though, is what he's saying, which is true. Not at first, anyway, given that a huge amount of titles won't work on SteamOS. Compatiability is something that'll come in time. It does depend on what you're playing, but if you were looking to play Battlefield 4 or Titanfall, for examples of huge current and upcoming games, you cannot. That is a huge factor for a lot of potential gamers, and the reason why PC gamers in general wouldn't switch to a steambox for a new machine.

While all that is true I would nearly bet there will be a work around to get a copy of windows 7 installed on a steam machine . Plus I have saw pics of various steam machines and they do look upgrade able .

TerrorFirmer

smileyj1987 wrote: »

While all that is true I would nearly bet there will be a work around to get a copy of windows 7 installed on a steam machine . Plus I have saw pics of various steam machines and they do look upgrade able .

But then you just basically have a PC, and the same performance decrease that's applicable because Win is a much higher resource than Linux and SteamOS. Seem to defeat the purpose unless you literally just want the steambox case, but you'd otherwise just have a normal PC with normal steam client.

TerrorFirmer

Sonics2k wrote: »

I'd love a Steam box really, but I am very much a PC gamer.

I'd get the Steam box if it gave me full access to my Steam catalogue, or at least the main games I'd want to play on it.

The idea of playing Skyrim on my main TV with all of the mods available for the PC version is really really appealing to me.

But that is something you can already do. There are plenty matx cases out there that are small and fit underneath a TV as a XB-One or Steambox would.

I have my PC hooked up to my TV as well as monitor, I play online on my monitor, but when I'm playing single player, I sit back in the armchair in front of the 46" and use the 360 controller

smileyj1987

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

But then you just basically have a PC, and the same performance decrease that's applicable because Win is a much higher resource than Linux and SteamOS. Seem to defeat the purpose unless you literally just want the steambox case, but you'd otherwise just have a normal PC with normal steam client.

My big thing is the size it that makes me want to buy it . I haven't got the space for a full on desktop but the steam machine would be great for my needs . I currently have a gaming laptop but would sell it on in a heartbeat to buy a steam machine if I could use it as a PC .
Plus if it was was able to do everything a desktop could then it would make life a lot handier for people who want to get into PC gaming but they don't have a fortune to spend as well .

Mickeroo

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

But then you just basically have a PC, and the same performance decrease that's applicable because Win is a much higher resource than Linux and SteamOS. Seem to defeat the purpose unless you literally just want the steambox case, but you'd otherwise just have a normal PC with normal steam client.

If its cheaper than a full pc and you only want the pc for gaming the steam box makes more sense than a pc to me. Provided you can upgrade them and get windows in them easily enough.

TerrorFirmer

Mickeroo wrote: »

If its cheaper than a full pc and you only want the pc for gaming the steam box makes more sense than a pc to me. Provided you can upgrade them and get windows in them easily enough.

The Steam PC that's been priced so far is $499 I believe, for the FX and 270X specification. That will be €499 here. For 500, you can build a PC to the same specifications easily. There are also loads of matx PC cases comparable to the XB-One and Steambox, so really, the only justification I can think of, is that you literally want the actual Steambox case. If it's purely for gaming, I think early adoption of the SteamOS is not a good idea, because a huge amount of AAA titles will not be supported. If you put Windows on it, you might as well just buy a PC, again, unless you want the actual official steambox case. One of the advantages of SteamOS is that it'll be much more hardware friendly than Windows and get better performance as a result. If you buy a €500 euro Steambox, throw Windows onto it, I just don't see the point as you could build a custom machine for the same money that'd be the exact same.

Mickeroo

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

The Steam PC that's been priced so far is $499 I believe, for the FX and 270X specification. That will be €499 here. For 500, you can build a PC to the same specifications easily. There are also loads of matx PC cases comparable to the XB-One and Steambox, so really, the only justification I can think of, is that you literally want the actual Steambox case. If it's purely for gaming, I think early adoption of the SteamOS is not a good idea, because a huge amount of AAA titles will not be supported. If you put Windows on it, you might as well just buy a PC, again, unless you want the actual official steambox case. One of the advantages of SteamOS is that it'll be much more hardware friendly than Windows and get better performance as a result. If you buy a €500 euro Steambox, throw Windows onto it, I just don't see the point as you could build a custom machine for the same money that'd be the exact same.

Ah right, so for the same price you'd be getting a PC of the same power anyway?

I'll hopefully be in the market for a gaming rig next year once I'm done with college and was considering a steam box instead, but the fact most of the games in my steam library probably won't play on it is sounding more and more like a deal breaker for me.

smileyj1987

Mickeroo wrote: »

Ah right, so for the same price you'd be getting a PC of the same power anyway?

I'll hopefully be in the market for a gaming rig next year once I'm done with college and was considering a steam box instead, but the fact most of the games in my steam library probably won't play on it is sounding more and more like a deal breaker for me.

I would wait till it hits the market because a lot can change in a few months . Valve could say we want any one who uses steam to support our os . So right now a lot could change over the coming months . I don't think valve would put a lot of effort into something with a lot of thought .

TerrorFirmer

Mickeroo wrote: »

Ah right, so for the same price you'd be getting a PC of the same power anyway?

I'll hopefully be in the market for a gaming rig next year once I'm done with college and was considering a steam box instead, but the fact most of the games in my steam library probably won't play on it is sounding more and more like a deal breaker for me.

It really does depend on what games you play and plan on playing. It would never suit me because I'm a big BF4 player, which will not be supported, and the next big game for me will be Titanfall, which will not be supported either!

Sonics2k

Steam Machine for the back of your TV

I really like this idea for those who don't have a large amount of space for a good Home Centre setup.

The big downside of this one is the massive $1,000 price tag

jester77

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

If it's purely for gaming, I think early adoption of the SteamOS is not a good idea, because a huge amount of AAA titles will not be supported.

I wouldn't worry too much about this. It will probably be at least 6 months before SteamOS has any real presence in the market. Look at PS4 and Xbox 1, they just got released, a handful of titles between them, only a few really good titles and 0 back catalogue. SteamOS will not be much different when it arrives, if anything I would say it will have a better selection at launch than the PS4 and Xbox 1 due to Valves own catalogue.

grugni

This is my only real concern for the system as I have a large steam games library and I also bought games that my current gaming rig will not run to any quality standard, I was waiting to see what the steam box is like before I decide to get one or buy a new gaming machine. I really hope that these titles will eventually work with Steam OS

brianblaze

grugni wrote: »

This is my only real concern for the system as I have a large steam games library and I also bought games that my current gaming rig will not run to any quality standard, I was waiting to see what the steam box is like before I decide to get one or buy a new gaming machine. I really hope that these titles will eventually work with Steam OS

Can't see them being much cheaper than anything you'll build yourself for less? They have to pay labour, shipping, design etc...

wyrn

So, Steam Machines for beta testing will be shipped on December 13th with those lucky winners being notified today.

Alas, Valve are limiting the testing to US customers only.
Gutted. Was hoping for a Christmas miracle.

grugni

wyrn wrote: »

So, Steam Machines for beta testing will be shipped on December 13th with those lucky winners being notified today.

Alas, Valve are limiting the testing to US customers only.
Gutted. Was hoping for a Christmas miracle.

Wow, thats a bit low only shipping to the US. Im guessing if they had of said that at the start then they wouldnt have been able to gauge the interest in it

Sierra Oscar

grugni wrote: »

Wow, thats a bit low only shipping to the US. Im guessing if they had of said that at the start then they wouldnt have been able to gauge the interest in it

Yeah, it is very disappointing. I would love to see Valve improve their relations with their overseas fans. The Valve store is another good example as to how those outside the US have to pay a premium to use the service.

brianblaze

It's much easier for them to track what happens to the boxes in a contained market, and I'm assuming there's legal papers attached to them. Keeping them in one jurisdiction makes it much easier for them legally.

Angron

That's extremely unfair, opening that competition to everyone, only to have it US only.

Sierra Oscar

brianblaze wrote: »

It's much easier for them to track what happens to the boxes in a contained market, and I'm assuming there's legal papers attached to them. Keeping them in one jurisdiction makes it much easier for them legally.

Indeed, but that would have been known before the competition was announced.

smileyj1987

http://store.steampowered.com/livingroom/SteamOS/

I have saw it's being released tomorrow on a few websites . I think I shall have to install it and see what it's like .

brianblaze

If it could emulate windows to run all my Steam games, and I could use Open Office and Photoshop on it, I'd ditch Windows for Steam OS in the morning!

brianblaze

brianblaze wrote: »

If it could emulate windows to run all my Steam games, and I could use Open Office and Photoshop on it, I'd ditch Windows for Steam OS in the morning!

What I understand of SteamOS is that they want it to be appliance like - you turn it on and you're into Steam Big Picture mode. That's it, nothing else, and fully useable with just a controller.

So there will be apps...they already have a basic browser in Steam for example, but if you want Open Office it's probably not what you're looking for. In that case you'd use Ubuntu and just run Steam as an app.

It all remains to be seen of course.

Burgo

Some pics someone put up on reddit:

http://imgur.com/a/LpuE8

Sierra Oscar

Burgo wrote: »

Some pics someone put up on reddit:

http://imgur.com/a/LpuE8

Looks like a nice and neat package.

Kiith

The insides of the machine, if anyone's interested.

Jonny7

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

The Steam PC that's been priced so far is $499 I believe, for the FX and 270X specification. That will be €499 here. For 500, you can build a PC to the same specifications easily. There are also loads of matx PC cases comparable to the XB-One and Steambox, so really, the only justification I can think of, is that you literally want the actual Steambox case. If it's purely for gaming, I think early adoption of the SteamOS is not a good idea, because a huge amount of AAA titles will not be supported. If you put Windows on it, you might as well just buy a PC, again, unless you want the actual official steambox case. One of the advantages of SteamOS is that it'll be much more hardware friendly than Windows and get better performance as a result. If you buy a €500 euro Steambox, throw Windows onto it, I just don't see the point as you could build a custom machine for the same money that'd be the exact same.

Most people don't know how to build a gaming PC

They go onto ebay buy a "gaming" PC which is a ripoff with a lemon graphics card or they go to Dell and see Alienware PC's for over a grand

Valve are tapping into a large market here

Buy Steambox
Plug into telly
Play games

The complexity of gaming PC's is a huge barrier of entry for most people into this market - they just go buy a console

Also PC's have traditionally been cumbersome for the living room - STEAMOS and Steambox's should lower those barriers, make it more accessible to put a PC into the living room

I'll build my own MATX and put SteamOS on it, bung it under the telly - but I have the know-how to do so

grugni

Looks like we are getting a much better look at the new steam machines this week at CES 2014!!!

Check out this one for the high end of the market!

http://kotaku.com/the-first-liquid-cooled-steam-machine-1495534239

cherryghost

I'm not impressed with the revealings last night. Prices are too high for anyone to care.

Tar.Aldarion

Might be interestedin the cheapest ones, now I need a tv. 500$ oculus rift machine

Duggy747

Fairly steep prices and I think there's too many partners making machines (13 different types?) at the start of it's life with the possibility of leaving a person overwhelmed on which to choose.

I'm interested in what it can do to the market but I've no need to actually buy one. Brother would buy one but I'd be more inclined to help him build a machine and safe a bit of dosh than let him buy one of these.