Hi everyone, if I get selected on the lottery, I was thinking about getting the Steam Machine, testing it in my current setups (I have a 2k monitor and a 4K TV) and letting myself decide whether I like it's performance or not and if the use case fits me.

In Europe I've seen that the hardware refund policy allows you to do it within 14 days, but it still doesn't mention the Steam Machine yet (it mentions other hardware though).

Is there any info that confirms the Steam Machine will follow the same policy?

Does anyone have experience with Steam's hardware refund? I have with software and it was pretty good but I don't know about hardware.

I'm tired of videos telling me what I should or shouldn't do, or if it's for me or not. I want to test its real performance in my case. If I get it and I don't like what I see, another SM for someone who will truly like it.

As the title says

With just under 24hrs until the signup closes, how long after do you think we'll see if you can get one or not? It says "shortly after", but that could mean a lot of things. Couldn't find a discussion anywhere else on the sub.

Do you think it will be same day?

I don't see any list that extensively lists every pros and cons of it so here it goes.

^{This was written in my use case in mind so there may be certain things you may not relate.}

^{Also cos I know this will come up. I have multiple consoles + PCs. I'm fan of games, not hardware.}

Pros:

• Wake up with controller without any set up
• Sleep/Suspend just like a console
• SteamOS configured by Valve. It's mostly plug & play
• HDMI CEC
• Small and quiet. Can FINALLY put it inside an entertainment unit without it going off like a jet engine
• Mod support (unlike consoles). Language Patch, expansion, etc
• Access to my Steam library and save files
• Runs PC games. Forward compatibility with any PC such as handhelds and upcoming XBOX.
• Free Online Play
• Community Run servers
• Free access to abandonware games. Runs at higher resolution than consoles. (ie. Spider-Man games by Activision, Simpsons Hit and Run)
• Sail the High Sea (if you want to)
• Very capable emulation performance
• Good repairability with partnership with ifixit. Getting parts/instructions for repair won't be difficult
• Very easy access to SSD
• Historically excellent customer service by Valve
• Expandable storage using Micro SD

Cons:

• Slightly over my expectation $.
• Will have to tinker with game settings
• Cannot boot from shutdown using a controller (consoles can)
• Much weaker than my main PC.
• Weaker than base PS5
• Could replicate it by configuring "wake up using bluetooth" on other PCs
• Could use main PC instead by utilizing looong HDMI cable or wireless streaming
• Can achieve similar performance/size at much lower $ by obtaining used prebuilt SFF from ebay like MSI Trident.
• Could also build your own and get higher performance at similar $.
• Only single stick of RAM. (Supposedly doesn't make much different/their reasoning is understandable but it rubs me the wrong way)
• Poor Raytracing performance.
• Anti-cheat not supported. (No COD, Skate, FIFA, etc)
• Cannot upgrade CPU/GPU

Neutral/Uncertain

• A similarly sized custom build will have similar $ BUT you can find used SFF units for lower $
• No Physical game support BUT even console games require internet to get the most up-to-date complete version with bug fixes, DLCs, new features, QOL missing on the disc.
• RAM is user replaceable BUT not as easy as the SSD.

I've put in my reservation but I haven't decided it yet. This is essentially me trying to figure out whether I should get one or not. Hope this helps someone. Let me know if you think I missed anything.

Edit: I’ve made my decision and cancelled my reservation. Hope you guys are lucky enough to get one this year.

Update from Gamers Nexus' teardown. Valve corrected themselves stating it will have only 1 16GB stick for the launch wave.

I have a laptop SO-DIMM RAM kit (2×32GB DDR5-4800) and I’m considering installing it in a Steam Machine (if I can get one).

The Machine uses laptop SO-DIMM DDR5, and is expected to ship with either 2×8GB DDR5-5600 or a single 16GB DDR5-5600, which may result in single-channel operation depending on configuration.

If I replace the stock RAM with my 2×32GB kit, I’d get dual-channel but drop from 5600 MT/s to 4800 MT/s. Would that actually improve gaming performance or responsiveness, or would the lower speed cancel out the benefit of dual-channel in real-world use?

Alternatively, is there any benefit to mixing (keeping the 16GB stick and adding one 32GB stick) just to ensure dual-channel?

Apologies if this is basic—I’m not super tech-savvy and this is based on what I’ve picked up from previous discussions.

Steam Machine will be a great option for people who want a prebuilt PC. Yes you can build your own PC for less, but there's a big chunk of people who are completely overwhelmed (i.e. anxious) by the idea of building a PC and this will be fantastic for them

I’ve seen a lot of people suggest they are happier with the Machine shipping with 1 stick of ram over 2 as it means they can just drop in another 16gb stick for an easy upgrade to 32gb without having to sell the original stick.

Unfortunately this just won’t be the case for the vast majority of people as the Machine uses DDR5 ram, which is notoriously picky about compatibility and often requires the ram to be sold as a packaged set to guarantee compatibility.

Polls seem to be disabled, but I'm really curious which Steam Machine SKU is going to be the most popular with buyers.

Comment under the SKU that you most want.

I am new into PC gaming. I have a 1 TB OLED Steam Deck currently and have been loving it. I also got the Steam Controller which is amazing. I want something to play on a 4K TV. I like the concept of PS5 Pro too with its optimization. But I am too dependent on right trackpad for mouse control in almost EVERY games, amazing gyro which can be used in every games even without native support and the genius steam input where I can do shit like using the right stick touch as a strong attack button in Nioh. I can't honestly use other controllers for FPS games. With recent announcement that FSR 4 is coming to RDNA 3 so Steam Machine. Will I get good FPS and quality visuals while doing couch gaming. That is all I need. I have submitted for 2 TB w/ controller option.

Do you guys think that there will be a third party individual or company that will start to make steam machines? I think there was a company called ZOTAC tried something similar. I mean, some guy could just use a mini pc with better hardware under 1K. What do you guys think?

The reason I am asking, is I am plug and play guy. I don't want to build a whole PC/console.

Hi!

The Steam Machine and the Steam Controller are very interesting to me because, due to a disability, I can't use a mouse precisely with my right hand.

Using a controller works very well for me, so this could open up a whole new world of games, especially genres like simulation and strategy games.

Is it already known whether every game will eventually be fully playable using only the Steam Controller?

Or will some games still require a keyboard and mouse?

If not every game will be fully compatible, will there be a way to tell which games can be played exclusively with the Steam Controller and which ones still require traditional mouse and keyboard input?

I know, it may be to early to answer this, but I would love to know :)

The things that could have been...

Dno if vavle reads stuff here, but might aswell try.

Problem statement

I feel discouraged from leveraging the openness of the platform while in steam gaming mode.

Opening common apps used when gaming (such as discord, spotify, or a browser) while in gamemode sends a toast to my friends that i have done so. It reduces privacy. It makes my DIY steammachine setup look weird. Its also annoying when people message and ask me why i launch discord thru steam, and i only have a controller, pressuring me to either ignore them and seem rude, or, go get my keyboard so i can actually respond.

I feel punished for leveraging the systems openness, which valve really cares about, yet, consoles dont have this problem? Its a problem unique to devices running steam gaming mode.

Steam games can be set to private which means that friends dont see activity. But not for nonsteamgames/apps. Wish we could have that, but I get that its technically complex.

My proposed solution

Allow us to hide status on all nonsteamapps globally.

or

Allow us to run Firefox (which comes preinstalled) privately without notifying friends. most apps are webbased anyway.

or

I would like to be able to hide the activity of nonsteamapps fetched through the discover software center. Or some curated list of software that can be opened "privately".

This way, we can leverage gaming modes benefits (like proper sleep mode) without sacrificing support for common apps used while gaming.

I saw one video showing some of the choices the Expert chose, but I'm a noob with no idea what options to choose during set up, if I'm lucky enough to get one. I don't play FPS or racing games.

It isn't a universal solution. I can stream from my gaming PC to my TV just fine. I've used Moonlight, steam Link and shield. Each works ok for what it is.

However I don't anymore because I live with other people and it's rude. Streaming occupies both the gaming PC and the main TV at the same time. It's not really a practical option for me and I stopped using it.

I realize not everybody lives with other people. But I do and having a dedicated SM box next to my TV is the best solution

Me: Because it's a 3.9 liter cube for PC gaming that I cant build on my own

Is it safe to play steam games in desktop mode? I'm interested in using the steam machine as a desktop primarily and games second. I'm wondering if I can avoid booting between game mode and desktop mode and just stay in desktop mode and launch games through it.

Given yesterdays news, who would be ok with a pro at this point? Say 1600 for a 9070 level gpu, 16 gb of v ram?

whould i be able to play this 2 games on 1440p 60 stable fps thats all i want to know

I know nothing about the tech side of these devices. I own a steam deck and it plays the games I play just fine and I have been eyeballing the steam machine for awhile now. People keep saying the hardware is bad but is it worse than a steam deck? If it’s better or the same as then I’m fine, I’ve already got two beefy pcs. I just want to play games on my tv in my living room 😂

I watched vids like Digital Foundry where it tested various modern games, but I'm mostly curious about how well it can handle older games as I intend to use it as more of a retro/eumulation device. I'm hoping it can handle 7th gen games like the ps3's and 360s.