PC The Steam Machine lives!!

[PhaseJump]

But for hardware like this in 2026? That does not scream future proof at all. "A PC experience that is about on par with what your consoles already delivers and has delivered for years that will likely get shown up by the next-gen version of your console in 1-2 years that at worst will cost like $100-200 more than the Steam Machine," is not a compelling sales pitch for anyone who isn't impulsive imo. Like if this came out in 2023 sure, but not in 2026.

And for people who already own extensive Steam Libraries with a PC, who is gonna double dip? I'm sure some folks just want a cheap PC to play some games in the living room instead of just their bedroom/study but that's gotta be rare right? No one with a decent or even entry level rig is gonna get anything out of this since it is ostensibly an upper-end entry rig in power and in some key ways is potentially lacking compared to even 5-year-old consoles. Whether Valve wants them to or not those are the main power/value alternatives people will compare it to.

I really want to see it but nothing about this thing's specs or design screams future proof in 2026. When this comes out and almost inevitably is running most games about as well as if slightly better than a PS5/XSX, who is gonna be rushing out to get one to replace their current box? I'm sure there are a handful of users who are fed up with Sony or Microsoft and want to make the leap, but nothing about the Steam Machine's specs imply it is going to give an experience beyond anything like even a PS5 Pro and that certainly isn't gonna entice someone to abandon their existing game library and upgrade. Especially since - I can't repeat this enough - the next-gen consoles are gonna be out and demolish this thing in just 1-2 years while likely costing just a tiny bit more.

As for convenience, it will still never be as convenient as a console by virtue of you still having to check compatibility to some degree, still having to fiddle with settings at least a bit (and even more in the coming years as the hardware ages). Sure, Steam OS is still a far more straightforward platform than Windows or whatever when it comes to going from powering the device on to playing games. Unreal Engine 5 is unfortunately still not going anywhere. If convenience really is a dealbreaker for someone, console still wins in key ways imo.

The Steam Deck is 3 and a half years old and still kicks ass in the handheld PC market. Valve can do a lot to keep a small custom desktop PC viable over the same time span, and help new gamers get into the Steam platform which is now in the same announcement rolling out ARM64 compatibility layers.

Future proofing is hitching your wagon to Steam and open PC gaming in general.

Deck is pretty much idiot proof already, and the Steam Machine will take the hassle out of entry level pc gaming. It's not going to be some huge new thing that sells 30 million units and get called a failure. It'll probably sell 5-10 million over the years and still complement the PC market, and still be useful as a PC.

 

[RanmyakuIchi's icon RanmyakuIchi RanmyakuIchi]

Biggest console naming missed opportunity since Soulja Boy not calling his the "Soulja GameBoy"

 

[MrYesterday]

It's an Xbox?

According to Microsoft, even my granny's phone is an Xbox

 

[Lena CE]

The Steam Deck is 3 and a half years old and still kicks ass in the handheld PC market. Valve can do a lot to keep a small custom desktop PC viable over the same time span, and help new gamers get into the Steam platform which is now in the same announcement rolling out ARM64 compatibility layers.

Future proofing is hitching your wagon to Steam and open PC gaming in general.

Deck is pretty much idiot proof already, and the Steam Machine will take the hassle out of entry level pc gaming. It's not going to be some huge new thing that sells 30 million units and get called a failure. It'll probably sell 5-10 million over the years and still complement the PC market, and still be useful as a PC.

Fair enough, I just seriously struggle with understanding why anyone would want these specs in 2026 unless the price is super duper enticing. I'm someone who plays console and PC and the idea of buying a middling PC that is supposed to essentially mimic a console experience when consoles will launch 1-2 years later that will trounce it just does not compute.

It also doesn't really matter if something is idiot proof, anyone who dabbled in emulation should know this. The amount of people who are just terrified to mod their systems no matter how idiot proof the process is, or just insist that emulating is too cumbersome despite most systems and emulators being as easy as playing a digital download of whatever their latest game purchase is, is astounding. Just the thought of potential hang-ups is enough to discourage people, I've begged way too many people to emulate or get into PC gaming to not have the typical responses memorized at this point.

I hope I'm severely underestimating it on some level and/or maybe just being overly cynical about Valve's potential expectations.

 

[waterxwraith]

8GB of VRAM and Zen3. Valve is taking the fight to developers, time to optimize.

why optimize when we can just expect consumers to upgrade their system to play our already buggy ue5 slop

 

[TheSoulWalker TheSoulWalker]

So I know I'm gonna get a lot of flack I think because I do think a lot of people will flame me because I'm not treating Valve as Gospel but I really want to get all this out of my mind and written somewhere. I spent the day sifting through the Verge's Articles, The LTT video, Tested's Video, and surprisingly the IGN videos were actually good.

The Steam Controller and Steam Machine is exactly what I wanted, just full out there I have no complaints for either of those two hardware drops. If anything I think it proves Xbox's move into the PC Hybrid system being the right one.

The Frame however, I am completely torn on. I think personally it is the best thing to finally have an entry level VR Headset to rival the Quest, I've been complaining for ages that VR hasn't had a good competitor in the entry level and with people treating quest like a console and making exclusive titles for the system ultimately hurting the platform where it's treated as a niche product only and making it more niche... It's a mess.

I will say that if it is competitively priced to the Meta Quest 3, maybe priced between the 3s and 3 4k, the Frame will be a great competitor for new VR Users. I'm not however a fan that people keep thinking that inside out tracking is fully there. Unless you have a camera that tracks behind your back fully, it's not and I don't believe it will ever be until that happens.

I also don't think discontinuing the index outright is the right call back in September. The headset, maybe, but if that includes kicking the knuckles controllers to the curb, that is a major mistep for anyone looking at the high end headsets and setups. Also really not a fan that Valve produced base stations are being axed either, I'm lucky that I purchased 4 stations early on and all but things like the Bigscreen and Pimax require those things. If I'm spending $1000+ on a setup, I want that hardware to last.

My other major gripe would be the lack of full body support. Nothing is more satisfying than being able to see your character in a social app move the way you move, or to be in blade and sorcery and have the ability to kick an enemy off your blade they're stuck on. I had hoped that there would be the ability to potentially use the Vive Ultimate trackers but that seems to be not an option either. If I have a full body setup for VR, I can't look at the Frame and see it as a legitimate next step for my VR setup.

My last gripe and this is the biggest black mark is that the controllers are not compatible with base station tracking. If the knuckles are also being discontinued and my controllers naturally die out I would have to search for either knuckles controllers on ebay for god knows what price, or revert to the Vive Wands. Further than that if I want finger tracking I would then have to get something like the UDCAP Gloves which then needs more Full Body Trackers and would ultimately take up 4 USB slots and cost about $700.

The monkey paw has curled yet another finger.

 

[Allyourbased]

for me the gabecube would have to be super competitively priced for me to be interested, there are so many other options for mini pcs/small form factor desktops.

 

[Questless Knight]

To broke to give a damn and honestly I have a gaming PC already what could I even need this for ? VR ?? VR is like 3D stupid gimmicky crap. come back to me when they make Holodeck.

 

[vulonkaaz's iconvulonkaaz]

standalone VR headset with finger trackers and eye trackers

gamepad with touchpads and hall effect joysticks (first time that a mainstream console manufacturer adopt this technology)

---

i'm 90% sure i'll get the gamepad for the VR headset it will depend on my finances and if i find a buyer for my old headset

VR is like 3D stupid gimmicky crap

you sound like someone whose only experience with VR is google cardboard

 

[Questless Knight]

standalone VR headset with finger trackers and eye trackers

gamepad with touchpads and hall effect joysticks (first time that a mainstream console manufacturer adopt this technology)

---

i'm 90% sure i'll get the gamepad for the VR headset it will depend on my finances and if i find a buyer for my old headset

you sound like someone whose only experience with VR is google cardboard

No I tried oculus rift and meta quest which my best friend owns and the games I tried they all very clunky and more times than not not very impressive even Skyrim VR and Fallout 4 VR looks and play very clunky and nothing to be impressed about. I would not talk shit about it if I never tried it.

Maybe you talk to that type of people every day. I have at least standards to try a game before I talk about it.

So before you make any assumption on what I played or not then fucking ask.

No need to be upset if you like sitting and gooning in VRchat with other weirdos that´s nothing to be ashmed of.

 

[JPchicre]

I have to repeat the sentiment of all the others broke asses in this forum. I would really like a VR headset so i can play Half Life Alyx and Fallout New Vegas VR modded, and if this one is cheap enough maybe i can save for it (Probably not though), a man can only dream.

 

[TheSoulWalker TheSoulWalker]

I have to repeat the sentiment of all the others broke asses in this forum. I would really like a VR headset so i can play Half Life Alyx and Fallout New Vegas VR modded, and if this one is cheap enough maybe i can save for it (Probably not though), a man can only dream.

That's kinda the biggest reason why I'm torn about it, because entry level VR *needs* Competition, but not at the expense of High End users and vice versa.

 

[petran79]

the advantage compared to consoles will be the unlocked multimedia possibilities and portability of games without drm for the living room.
On consoles you have to wait few years till they are hacked

 

[Dani.]

I think we just need to wait and see how things develop.But it already looks very promising.

 

[JellyjamLu]

To broke to give a damn and honestly I have a gaming PC already what could I even need this for ? VR ?? VR is like 3D stupid gimmicky crap. come back to me when they make Holodeck.

Right there with you, I don't see a reason to dive into yet another console so soon when arguably mostly everything is at our fingertips via steam/pc, not saying its unnecessary or bad, there's probably a market for it but... eh tis what it tis.

 

[PhaseJump]

The most exciting thing about the VR stuff is that it's letting you run Steam PC games on ARM hardware.

They will push the FEX translation layer, and we will ultimately get more gaming on more ARM devices going forward. Proton is helping Linux distros run tens of thousands of Windows games.

Valve is figuratively over there turning that key and unlocking another segment of the hardware market as some sort of no-brainer, while everybody is distracted by the shiny little entry level PC box and new controller that won't drift.

 

[vulonkaaz's iconvulonkaaz]

So before you make any assumption on what I played or not then fucking ask.

No need to be upset if you like sitting and gooning in VRchat with other weirdos that´s nothing to be ashmed of.

successfully ragebaited

even Skyrim VR and Fallout 4 VR looks and play very clunky and nothing to be impressed about

i mean those two titles *are* clunky in VR, and just become slightly more bearable if you fill them with mods

i like Ancient Dungeon and Superhot, quite fun to play and make great use of the VR controls in my opinion

i can understand being underwhelmed by VR, I too find it uncomfortable and not too immersive, but you can't deny the possibilities it opens to be able to actually interact with the 3D environment, it allows for stuff that is not possible with a keyboard and a mouse

i find that it is a great workout equipment and fun with physics sandboxes, maybe a bit too expensive for what it's worth but "stupid gimmicky crap" is way too harsh for what it is

(i have never gooned in VR I did try but it is just way too impractical)

 

[SpikeSlania]

Fair enough, I just seriously struggle with understanding why anyone would want these specs in 2026 unless the price is super duper enticing. I'm someone who plays console and PC and the idea of buying a middling PC that is supposed to essentially mimic a console experience when consoles will launch 1-2 years later that will trounce it just does not compute.

Most people aren't looking at specs but rather what can it play for them. Sony is already struggling to get people to upgrade from the PS4 to the PS5 while Xbox is just struggling to sell any hardware. Consoles are at the point of diminishing returns in terms of upgrading hardware specs and is expected the next generation of consoles to launch around the $1k mark. If Valve can sell their Steam Machine for around $500 it would be a win

 

[VidiyaGaemer]

Everything about that announcement yesterday was tailor-made for me it seems :3 Been wanting the update on the Steam Controller for years now, that delivered and then some! And the other stuffs too, I want too, but as a bonus.

 

[vulonkaaz's iconvulonkaaz]

Everything about that announcement yesterday was tailor-made for me it seems :3 Been wanting the update on the Steam Controller for years now, that delivered and then some! And the other stuffs too, I want too, but as a bonus.

the announcement had such an effect on you you already changed your profile picture

 

[Questless Knight]

Right there with you, I don't see a reason to dive into yet another console so soon when arguably mostly everything is at our fingertips via steam/pc, not saying its unnecessary or bad, there's probably a market for it but... eh tis what it tis.

Fully agree it´s probably nice but I got 0 need for it.

Post automatically merged: Thursday at 11:29 AM

successfully ragebaited

i mean those two titles *are* clunky in VR, and just become slightly more bearable if you fill them with mods

i like Ancient Dungeon and Superhot, quite fun to play and make great use of the VR controls in my opinion

i can understand being underwhelmed by VR, I too find it uncomfortable and not too immersive, but you can't deny the possibilities it opens to be able to actually interact with the 3D environment, it allows for stuff that is not possible with a keyboard and a mouse

i find that it is a great workout equipment and fun with physics sandboxes, maybe a bit too expensive for what it's worth but "stupid gimmicky crap" is way too harsh for what it is

(i have never gooned in VR I did try but it is just way too impractical)

But if you need mods to fix a VR game then you failed.

To me VR Is just Like when they tired 3D or even AR it´s sure looked cool but nothing I would go I must have it. The only time I taught VR was cool when I played Elite dangerus but then to make the VR experince in that game more worth it then you need to first blow a few 1000 for a good PC because if you got to much lag it will make you sick then blow 1000-2000 bucks on VR headset + another 1000 or two to get proper flight controlls.


Gaming as a hobby that is alrady expnesive as fuck with consoles going for 2000-3000 bucks and good PC´s goes for 4000-5000 "Im talking PC that can handle VR good" Then another grand or two for a headset.

My final say is VR might be cool depending on the game but the fact is VR is a rich person accessory and not needed what so ever. A regular game or even casual gamer have 0 need for such expensive accessory. Same with OLED monitors it´s a rich people thing but you survive and game with a regular 200 bucks 1440p monitor you don´t badly need a 1000 dollar OLED.


So I say it again WHO is the target audience for the steam PC ?? people with allot of money ? that loves to buy every new tech ever or gamer´s that has no console or no PC. The market seams very very niche.

The steam deck at least has a purpose gaming on the go.

 

[ThatOneLum ThatOneLum]

So I say it again WHO is the target audience for the steam PC ?? people with allot of money ? that loves to buy every new tech ever or gamer´s that has no console or no PC. The market seams very very niche.

The steam deck at least has a purpose gaming on the go.

I assume it's mostly aimed at people who want a dedicated PC gaming machine in a compact form factor that has a UI built-in that's designed to be useable on a TV rather than a monitor.

Weather or not it'll work really depends on the price. Personally, if it's cheap enough ill probably pick one up because I've been meaning to get a TV PC, I have no other desktop, and I'm happy to move away from Windows as much as possible. That said, it's likely to be a bit steep, especially at first.

 

[Questless Knight]

I assume it's mostly aimed at people who want a dedicated PC gaming machine in a compact form factor that has a UI built-in that's designed to be useable on a TV rather than a monitor.

Weather or not it'll work really depends on the price. Personally, if it's cheap enough ill probably pick one up because I've been meaning to get a TV PC, I have no other desktop, and I'm happy to move away from Windows as much as possible. That said, it's likely to be a bit steep, especially at first.

Yeah but it won´t be cheap not with and attached VR to it. maybe if they offer one with 0 VR.

And today there is so many option on minis PC that are good enough they can Run cyberpunk in 120fps on ulltra.

You got the framework and the MSI cubi and many more so it´s a market steam might have a hard time getting a big foot in to. I mean if all they offer is steam OS + VR and the price is wrong that box might be very very niche thing. It´s not like steam OS can´t be installed on anything else.

 

[PrismRed]

My usual take, I'd wait it out until at least a year after release, see what's the opinion of the suckers who bought it too early wait for review and possible competitor and whether I can do some dumb things with it before I decide.

 

[vulonkaaz's iconvulonkaaz]

I'm fairly sure they'll know how to price their cube competitively

when they released the handheld they weren't the only ones on the market but they priced competitively and had the best price performance ratio on the market

tho the mini pc market is way more mature than what the x86 handheld was so idk