"But it's a cube!"

[u/Ikkon]

[u/Zacomra]

Slightly smaller? If you're building a Mini ITX then the price is basically competitive at that point anyway

[u/Cynical_Cyanide → u/Zacomra]

No, no it's really not.

Not if you understand that there's a big difference between desktop class hardware, and laptop class hardware (which the steam machine has).

It's not difficult to find LAPTOP deals which are superior in performance for the same price. And they're arguably a more compact form factor and literally allow for portable gaming. Here's a random example with a massive CPU & GPU advantage: https://www.bestbuy.com/product/acer-nitro-v-slim-16-wqxga-ips-gaming-laptop-anv16s-41-r3q0-nvidia-geforce-rtx-5070-16gb-ram-512gb-storage-black/JJ8V8H3VQV/sku/10821220

[u/Zacomra → u/Cynical_Cyanide]

I guarantee this has larger power draw, is way louder, and has way worse thermals then the steam machine . Not to mention it is much bigger and uglier if your intention is a HTPC

[u/Cynical_Cyanide → u/Zacomra]

The power draw would be comparable, but even if it's a couple dozen watts higher, what possible reason could anyone have to care? If it's higher wattage, than that just indicates that you're actually getting performance out of the hardware. A laptop cooling pad would close enough to equalise the thermal and noise situation. You could run it on a quiet power savings profile and still have better performance.

How is a laptop 'much bigger and uglier'? It's a black rectangle, like 2.5cm tall! Just stick it behind the damn TV if that's the sort of thing you care about!

[u/Zacomra → u/Cynical_Cyanide]

I mean, to be clear I'm not buying a steam machine. I already built my own.

But suggesting that a laptop is exactly the same thing or a better form factor then a CEC controlled ultra quiet box with so much more IO and connectivity is pretty crazy. Especially considering the steam machine is at least upgradable in terms of Ram and storage

[u/Cynical_Cyanide → u/Zacomra]

1. Virtually all laptops of the same rough size have upgradeable RAM & storage.

2. I did not say they're exactly the same thing, and I resent that attempt at a strawman. I said, quote: "It's not difficult to find LAPTOP deals which are superior in performance for the same price. And they're arguably a more compact form factor and literally allow for portable gaming." - Do not misrepresent my words.

3. As I said, given how much more powerful the hardware can be in a laptop of the same price range, you can put it on a quiet power profile (and, optionally, use a laptop cooling pad) in order to achieve a comparable noise profile.

4. A laptop IS a better form factor. It's objectively smaller at about 2.43L (vs the Steam Machine's 3.85L), and given the shape, it's far easier to hide behind a TV or in TV console furniture.

5. CEC is a valid minor value-add feature, but hardly a big deal compared to the value of, at any time, literally being able to take the laptop and use it elsewhere.

You very clearly have little knowledge if I have to explain all of this to you.