GR: When Valve announced Steam Machines, many were concerned about the slew of different models that will be available to consumers. With so many different options and price schemes, it seems as though it may be bit muddled and perhaps problematic for Valve's new software platform.
You’re not having deja vu. Six years after launching a line of Linux game consoles that went down as one of the biggest tech flops of the past decade, Valve is trying once again. Only this time, its Steam Machine dreams and unusual touchpads have been rolled into a 7-inch handheld PC that looks and works like a Nintendo Switch.
Here are six reasons why this isn’t Steam Machines all over again — and, a few brand-new reasons to be skeptical.
Steam Deck comes from a company with a mixed reputation for hardware.
Valve may very well have a hit on its hands — but many fans thought the same thing back in 2014.
At least they're trying. They could just keep pulling an EGS. I think this is Valve's answer to cloud gaming, though. I don't think they want gamers streaming from the cloud, they want them on their storefront. So, if that's their reason, they'll likely support this more than they have past endeavors.
Yea, this is a weird article.
It's an impressive piece of technology watching IGN's coverage on it. I want to say that the build quality is similar to Vita with the horsepower of an Xbox Series S and that's very impressive.
The only downside is the battery power. It's not very good and mostly meant to be played to fill in some gaps, but I like the idea of taking your "PC" to a friend's house for some side co-op.
I feel they want to start the new era of portable PC gaming. They said they would offer the customized steam os for free to any companies that want to make their own portable machine.
Somebody had to get the ball rolling is what I took from that statement lol excited for the future with handhelds since I'm a primarily handheld gamer.
While I applaud them for letting SteamOS be free for anyone else to make similar machines, its honestly not even remotely possible to get anywhere close to the pricing of the Steam Deck, which was the same problem that they had with Steam machines.
No other hardware creator has a digital storefront making billions of $ to allow them to sell hardware at a loss and just recoup the money elsewhere, or work directly with AMD to make the APU as custom as necessary.
So yeah, maybe we might see a couple of alternatives from other companies, but they will be even more expensive
The hype around this thing is wild to me. It screams “new toy to use for a few months but then go play steam on my pc”
That's the thing right? As a PC gamer, you have your desk set up to compliment your experience - high end monitors, sound system/headphones, gaming chair, keyboard, mouse, etc. Once I give that part up it's missing a lot of the apeal.
For sure, and to people that will get their money's worth - thats awesome. I look at my steam library, and to ditch mouse/KB and play on a small screen... I would much rather go to a cheaper gaming laptop before this type of mobile setup personally
No because my alienware PC is quite old and isn't really capable any more, I don't want the expense of getting a new PC for gaming but I also don't want to lose access to my Steam library so the Deck is the perfect solution to that.
I can make a lot of use of this, personally.
My work has me traveling often, so just even those plane rides justify my grabbing one of these.
We will see. The market is unpredictable. You cannot rule out the power of a platform with good exclusive games and even when I don't support Nintendo anymore there is no denying the power of its exclusive games.
Valve, the company behind the Steam platform, spoke boldly about its SteamOS plans in the past. It was all about creating an operating system designed from the ground-up for gaming and adding this operating system to hardware known as Steam Machines.
I hate to agree with him, but I think he's right. For now, the vast majority of Steam games are on Windows. Of course, you could just install Windows to a Steambox, but then you might as well just get a PC.
I hope more games get ported to Linux though. The only reason I keep Windows around is for emulators (which Linux has too, just not as good) and Steam.
The only problem with Steam Machine is it's not out yet.
Pachter really needs to overcome this habit of stating the obvious.
So how are you to build an install base with out releasing the product to build that install base?
Valve is not looking for the quick turn around. Going up against Windows in the PC space is going to take years. Windows is the standard with no competition and has been that for many years.
Its only a problem if you believe the Steam Machines must rival console sale on release day. That isn't going to happen, nor is Valve trying to do that. They will let the community slowly push the concept until its the norm.
Everybody knows that, Pachter. But did you know auctioneers make bad grocery store clerks?