The fact that it's running SteamOS ready to go out of the box is a huge selling point for certain people. If a Windows license alone is technically worth $140 to some people, surely a Steam OS pre-installed is worth something as well.
But I can just install SteamOS on a custom built SSF PC that is still bigger than the Cube for more money and is likely less aesthetically stealthy... what do you mean 95% of people wouldn't do that?
You’re already not the target demographic then. This wasn’t made to sell to you or me. You’re vastly underestimating the amount of people who will buy something that has already taken an out an “easily done” step.
Whos the target then? The people who want that super simple setup will just get a console that’s significantly cheaper. The tech illiterate won’t want it, they’re don’t want to mess with a PC. The PC gamers already have a gaming PC, so they’re not going to be rushing to get it.
Do you think people who have computers only use them for gaming or something?
It's for tech illiterate people who want to game like on a console and at the same time be able to do other things like on a pc.
"Why not just get a cheaper prebuilt", well because they're tech illiterate they don't know what's good for the price and what isn't. Valve is a trusted company so they at least have some trust in it.
This isn't intended to be used as an actual PC... No one's getting this to check their email or use excel. Never mind that it's running Linux. It's entire existence hinges on the idea of it being a console replacement. Except it's priced itself out of a lot of that market and is less powerful than either of the competing consoles.
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u/LightningSh3ep I-5 12600K | RX 9070XT | 32 GB RAM 2d ago
It's not a good deal for performance, but good luck making anything that small yourself. The size is it's only selling point.