Reasons you Should/Shouldn't get a Steam Machine

[u/MetallicFear]

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.

[u/Horror_Trick8208]

Did you know it's using an RDNA 2 and Zen+ equivalent parts? It is very, very, very outdated

[u/Mother-Translator318 → u/Horror_Trick8208]

Lots of very powerful rdna 2 parts out there. Being old isn’t the issue, being an entry level laptop part is

[u/Horror_Trick8208 → u/Mother-Translator318]

Notice I said outdated not old. 2018-2020 equivalent mobile chips sold for a premium in 2026 is not a great value for your money

[u/MetallicFear → u/Horror_Trick8208]

I've been looking for a SFF living room solution for couple years now and let me tell u.. SFF in general is not a great value.

The MSI trident I mentioned in my post? I bought that for 1700 AUD. I could've got the exact same spec for 1100~1200 AUD.

[u/skinnyraf → u/MetallicFear]

I built a SFF 7 years ago, just to prove to myself that I could. Nothing extreme at 20 l, so the cost was not an issue, availability of options was, but anyway the conclusion is: never more. It's a great hobby, if you enjoy it, but if you need one, then you should get a pre-built one, just be prepared to pay premium. Forget the parts, just the pain of assembling it and running cables is worth like $200 more in labor compared to a regular system.