Yes, the Xi3 was revealed last year, but the Piston model that is being produced in conjunction with Valve is more than likely the "SteamBox." It's the same-size, construction by the same developers, just going to be catered exclusively to the Steam-market of games. Plus, it was just revealed today. Hopefully, as CES goes on will get more details, preferably from Valve themselves.
I was kinda afraid of this - the "high-end" Xi3 could easily be built for around 500 bucks instead of "$999." I understand it's basically shrunk-down technology, but still. This makes me believe SteamBox could be around $699 or less when revealed. The cards are in Valve's hands now to see if they can tap into the Steam user's wants to get one of these. If it's not comparable to a next-gen console in price/performance, then it's not going to be worth at all.
These boxes are nice & all. However, what I really want to know is if Valve will release their Steam Linux OS to it's (power) users like myself? where I can basically build my own Steambox with off the shelf parts.
Hardware is hardware, and can be purchased in all shapes & sizes and I can easily build something cheaper with high-end specs. What's the most important to me is the software (the OS) and the game engines, that's what I'm more interested in!
Yeah I could totally see that being a viable route for Valve as well. The only concern is that the Steam Linux-based OS is catered for HDTV gaming in Big Picture mode, therefore, possibly having limited use outside of being a gaming PC. However, because of this it could make the OS and even computers designed for it's use MUCH less expensive because of the lack of bloatware. Good question though - will Valve do software sales AND PC sales of the OS? Or by the end of the year, will it whittle down to just software?
@CybarCam. You already can. Just install a linux distribution or windows running steam. Set it up to boot directly into big picture mode. Where's the problem? I'm sure they will release a streamlined version that you don't have to configure yourself also (linux only obviously) Steam wants to sell software primarily of course.
True, but I would like the official, Steambuntu distro version (kind of like Mythbuntu http://www.mythbuntu.org/)! I know that's what will be on the Steam Boxes. It'll be stripped down for only Steam, web surfing and media playback. All the other overhead will be removed. And yes I do realize I can do that now.
From what I've read that the Steam boxes will also be able to be used in regular Steam mode not just Big Picture mode, using a regular keyboard & mouse, so you don't necessarily need to use just a gamepad.
The unit will definitely have some sort of graphic card control app made by Nvidia or AMD, so setting your resolution to 720p or 1080p won't be a problem. Keep in mind the reason I say this is, it's common sense, if they are going to have a modular unit, then their has to be a way of upgrading or downgrading your video card through software.
I can always build something cheaper & better. I did it with my Hackintosh box, without having to spend $2000 to $4000 on a Mac desktop. I built a Mac and spent only $800!
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Valves gamecube?
Did he just take out the mobo with the gpu on it? Can you buy mobos that small?
Hardware is hardware, and can be purchased in all shapes & sizes and I can easily build something cheaper with high-end specs. What's the most important to me is the software (the OS) and the game engines, that's what I'm more interested in!
Please Valve release your OS to the public!
You already can. Just install a linux distribution or windows running steam.
Set it up to boot directly into big picture mode.
Where's the problem?
I'm sure they will release a streamlined version that you don't have to configure yourself also (linux only obviously)
Steam wants to sell software primarily of course.
The unit will definitely have some sort of graphic card control app made by Nvidia or AMD, so setting your resolution to 720p or 1080p won't be a problem. Keep in mind the reason I say this is, it's common sense, if they are going to have a modular unit, then their has to be a way of upgrading or downgrading your video card through software.
I can always build something cheaper & better. I did it with my Hackintosh box, without having to spend $2000 to $4000 on a Mac desktop. I built a Mac and spent only $800!
*check you pants fellas*
:D