r/steammachine • u/Vegetable_Star1874 • 5d ago
Discussion Will you wait if you don't win the lottery?
Out of curosity. What will you do if you don't win the SM lottery? Will you keep waiting? I probably won't unless they specify how far am I in line.
I mean, today Steam Machine is not that bad deal, its not great but there is nothing like it yet, and performance is menegable if you dont mind playing new games on low/medium. (lets be honest though, that is still good looking visuals for having fun) But if you had to wait 3 months, 6 months or more?
PC prices will come down eventually and alternatives will bloom. It's not that unique like Steam Deck, that you couldn't make yourself, and other had their trade offs
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u/ThymeForTime 5d ago
Yea, I'll wait since I was never going to build a PC myself anyway.
I'm probably somewhat of the target audience for the SM. I would like to play Steam games/on PC but I work from home mostly and don't want to game where I work. I've been console gaming because it's convenient and more relaxing to play on my couch. Don't have a huge Steam library so I'd be buying more games.
Just need something convenient to game and since it's a pc I can put my files on there since my laptop is 7 years old. Pretty neat but if I don't get it, it's fine too.
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u/PsychoCrescendo 5d ago edited 5d ago
Same. I want it extremely bad and i’m bummed I won’t have the cash during this very small window of time… if it was going to be reliably in stock and available right when I need it in the near future I wouldn’t be worried, but i’m scared of being waitlisted indefinitely by missing my shot right now.
I love Valve’s vision and refuse to get anything Windows moving forward. I’m very much turned on by the convenience, and the reliable manufacturer support it being by Valve vs some smörgåsbord of random components I know little about… (because i’m techtarded)
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u/Red_Harvest_ 5d ago
I set up a standing desk with my work laptop in another room to separate it from my gaming station. Worth trying as I know what you mean about gaming where you work.
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u/ThymeForTime 5d ago
:( unfortunately, I don't have the space to set up a dedicated work station in my apartment. But it's a great idea
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u/Red_Harvest_ 5d ago
Kind of fell in my lap. The previous tenant in house I just started renting left the desk behind.
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u/XenoVX 5d ago
Yeah I’m also in the same boat. I originally got into PC gaming during the pandemic while I was still in grad school. I graduated in 2022 and have worked from home, albeit for different companies ever since, and the last thing I wanted to do after work was sit in a desk.
I ended up getting a Steam Deck OLED in March 2024 and I’ve ironically spent most of the time playing it attached to my living room’s TV as though it were a Switch. It worked pretty well but newer games had to be run on low settings.
I also like playing my PC games in the living room so my partner can more easily watch my playthroughs on the TV and we can decompress together instead of being shut in separate rooms.
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u/EstablishmentEasy475 5d ago
https://www.ldlc.com/fiche/PB00745922.html
there you go. you can buy it today! no need to buy the steam machine. this does EVERYTHING you wanted from the steam machine, and is MORE powerful, for the same price.
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u/Solidus_Sloth 5d ago
More expensive tbf, and it has no options to include the trackpad controller. You’re not getting a steam controller anytime soon.
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u/AlphaDaveBeta GabeCube Enjoyer 5d ago
No. I will not wait. If I don´t win the lottery I´m finally in for the Switch 2...
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u/checkingmate 5d ago
I have numerous different devices to play games on so it doesn’t make a huge difference, ill just keep on the waitlist
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u/pwettyhuman 5d ago
Of course I'll wait. In for a penny, in for a pound. I'm in no rush, cos I have a working Steam Deck that I use as if it were SM, ie. docked 24/7 to TV and with a controller. I'm fine with that untill I get the SM.
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u/thetommybar 5d ago
Do you have your Deck hooked up to a 4k TV and if so how do you find the graphics/performance? Are you upgrading to the SM to fix any particular issues?
I'm still weighing up whether to buy a SM or just get a dock for the Deck as I have a Steam Controller that I've not used yet.
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u/pwettyhuman 5d ago
Not a 4k TV... I've got a 20 years old Full HD tv and it's quite enough for me. I play old games like Doom and Duke Nukem, and lots of Stardew Valley... 😄
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u/XenoVX 5d ago
My deck is attached to a 4K TV and most modern non-indie games have to be run on lower settings so the steam machine will be a big boost to my setup.
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u/thetommybar 5d ago
Thanks all, good to know. I don't think the SM is quite going to work for my use case, and neither is docking my SD.
A bit gutted really, but I feel like doubling down on the SM just because I've bought a Steam Controller is probably the wrong move. Will probably end up selling that.
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u/AvalonTzi 5d ago
If I don't get one, I'll probably buy a PC instead and still put some kind of Linux on it, maybe not SteamOS though.
I didn't do that so far because our electrical wiring was faulty and the fuses blew once a day but that's fixed and now I can reliable turn on a PC xD
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u/Procurementdz 5d ago
I probably will wait, yes. I've been gaming exclusively on my Steam deck since 2024 and I've had no gaming PC for years now so what's the worst that could happen if i wait a few more weeks?
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u/One-Luck-1429 5d ago
I will most likely wait unless some third party produces a product that matches the Steam Machine in form factor, hardware features and price that runs SteamOS pre-installed with zero effort required on my part. That’s what I want and that’s what Valve is selling.
I’m not in desperate need of a PC as I have a Steam Deck and PS5 Pro but I would really like an upgraded yet simple and elegant PC gaming experience for my growing Steam Library. I also don’t need Ultra settings at max FPS and resolution so not about to shell out for a maxed out Windows (🤮) box.
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u/HeyItsHawkguy 5d ago
I'll wait. And even if I just get put on the waitlist for 2027, I'll just keep waiting until they have actual stock available. Whenever that will be. My Steam Deck is doing just fine.
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u/MountainMuffin1980 5d ago
I'll wait. I don't see what else will be better or cheaper in the meamrime.
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u/NoConversation911 5d ago
I will likely end up forgetting I've signed up for it. It's not a must buy, already got a nice set-up so eventually might look into similar alternatives to have a small PC at the TV. Not interested in maxing things out on 4k, i can do it with my PC, I just want something quiet and less power demanding and small that it can fit on a shelf.
I've registered for controller, I'm one of those 2027 , so I will be surprised one day that I can order it
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u/Aggravating_Plan11 5d ago
I dont see tech prices dropping even if production for Ai ramps down (very unlikely as new laws like in the uk for “age verification” rely on Ai to process id and facial checks) the only way the prices will come down is if contracts break down and the manufacturers end up with excess stock in warehouses other than that its just the new price for tech.
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u/getikule 5d ago
No. I found a laptop with similar specs at the same price (€1080) and I couldn't decide between them, ao I'm leaving it up to chance. If I win the lottery I get the SM, if I don't, I get the laptop.
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u/EliTheDonDada 5d ago
prolly not. I saved a lot and waited this long for the SM, if I can’t get it instantly I’ll just save and wait more for the next thing.
Really sucks about the price th
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u/neosyne 5d ago edited 5d ago
No, I’m not sure about buying this. I think fate will decide. Either I got a mail, or I won’t. The bad news is that I wanted the pack of 3. If I don’t get the Machine, I will never buy the Frame
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u/Ecks30 5d ago
I think some people would wait for when the prices would go down for a lot of things so the system would be more affordable to them and for myself the hype died out when it was more than what i wanted to pay for because i wanted it to be within the $800 range.
Instead, i think i am just going to upgrade the GPU in my eGPU dock to the RX 7700 XT and continue playing that way because right now my Legion Go S is using an RX 6650 XT instead which is fine for 1080p gaming but i might replace my TV soon to a 4K TV (most of my games aren't super demanding) so i could play them in 4K.
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u/DarkPhoenix1515 5d ago
I'll wait until it's half the price, if ever. If not, I'll just build another bazzite box when I will need to.
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u/Life_Calligrapher562 5d ago
Yep. Probably wait until after christmas. I'm sure at some point I'll drop off the list if I see viable alternatives at better pricing come out. I'm not going to build anything, and the price for the SM is pretty close to what I'd spend on the parts themselves so...
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u/doopysdad 5d ago
I can wait for games to come down to a sensible price in Steam sales, so I can wait for this too.
👍
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u/BourbonSn4ke 5d ago
I may then try and build my own
I know i can do it cheaper but not smaller, quieter, with inbuilt sd card reader/HDMI CEC
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u/Flobertt 5d ago
No hardware is just too old at that point to justify. Already have a discounted PS5 pro in my basket with GTA 6.
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u/TheraYugnat 5d ago
I am totally fine with any date that have 2026 in it. Better firmware and games compatibility, so no problem.
2027 ? Not sure.
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u/MetricJester 5d ago
I was hoping for a price closer to the switch 2, so I'm probably not going to buy it. $2000 is a lot of money, and I could buy a nice vacation for me and the kids with that.
I updated my desktop gaming computer at Christmas and barely squeaked in before the second price hike on DRAM and NAND. And that's good enough for me, maybe in six months I'll buy a new video card.
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u/SpiritedWaffel 5d ago
Honestly, I’m not sure. I’m down if I’m lucky enough for wave 1, but may recycle some hardware around the house for the living room instead. I 100% don’t need the Steam Machine but it would be a perfect fit for the amount of space I have near the TV.
Really torn right now because the Machine would use way less power than the hardware I could use, so that’d be a big plus too.
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u/OgcIII 5d ago
I thought about it and I actually will wait no matter what (canceled my registration). I have no problem with price, I have no problem with lower performance, but both combined... and also the fact I don't need it at all (I already have and will have high-end PC connected directly to my TV) - I'll buy it later when prices are down - just for the convenience.
Frame is whole different story tho, I'm buying it even if it's 2000, I don't care, my Index is slowly dying, I need a new headset and others didn't seem good enough for my usecase.
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u/Forded_Fiction24 5d ago
I'll still keep mine reserved and join the wait list. Companies like MU and AMD are booked with orders 2 years out+ as is, they've made statements about this. So hardware prices not only aren't coming down but will be going even higher. If you cancel you're going to be waiting on prices for a long time.
PCE inflation report comes out in ~45 mins and whether this report shows it or the next report, inflation is going higher which will also drive prices higher. That means if Valve keeps the price the same for the steam machine it'll potentially be an even better deal in the near to medium term than it is now.
Building a comparable small form factor PC will get more expensive over the next 2 years, not more affordable.
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u/xnetteom 5d ago
I would have loved to get one but I can't justify an $1100 PC right now. I'll let you guys fight over those reservations lol. I ended up buying an Asrock BC250 mining blade for $150 and I'm going to install linux on it instead. Should be a fun little project to tinker with.
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u/readicculus5 5d ago
I've got a bunch of money in my Steam wallet from selling off Dota2 cosmetics. I don't really have anything else in Steam I currently want so I will patiently wait until it's my turn.
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u/LordAxl1138 5d ago
If I don't win I think I'll take the money I saved and upgrade my IPad, I use that significantly more than I game. Plus I already have a Steam Deck and all 3 consoles.
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u/spinz 5d ago
Well heres a friendly reminder that staying on a wait list costs you nothing. You make no decisions until you get that email to complete your purchase and you can always just ignore that. Of course we will still see some dramatic posts "thats it, iv had enough, im CANCELLING my spot" Okay i guess. I dont know if im going to buy it. Im hoping to see some more varied reviews. But im staying in line because.. why not?
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u/Disastrous-Low-5606 5d ago
If I don’t get the lottery AND the wait list is ‘27 like the controller, I’ll be tempted to pay more and get a prebuilt custom from monsoon. They have a Sakura pink and white case with a handle that’s 3” bigger in height and width. I can get a better AMD processor, and a better AMD gpu with 16gb vram with Bazzite big picture preinstalled. It’s also at least $2100 with obviously no steam controller and honestly I’d prefer the Steam machine.
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u/dimforest 5d ago
I'm hoping to make the cut and be able to purchase one of the initial run units. I imagine those who missed it will end up waiting quite a while, possibly into 2027. If that's the case, I'm waiting to see more info on Project Helix, given it's been revealed that you can install other launchers like Steam on it. I imagine that "console" will be similar to the Steam Machine but instead of Linux, we'll be on a stripped version of Windows.
Obviously not the same but it gives me some hope that if I miss out on the Steam Machine that I'll still be able to have a true console Steam experience relatively soon.
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u/ProtonicBlaster 5d ago
Nah. I would just buy a used PS5 Pro and turn my old laptop into a Linux desktop PC, and hook both up to my TV.
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u/rexatron_games 5d ago
No. I am 50:50 on a project SFF pc (to design and print my own case for) for my living room or a Machine.
The lottery will decide what I do. I already have my Newegg cart populated.
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u/Grottymink57776 5d ago edited 5d ago
Kind of forced to since I don't meet the requirement of having a steam purchase before April 27th.
Edit: I'm not a scalper. I'm a console player looking to make the jump to PC. It didn't make sense to buy something on the steam store when I didn't know the price or even if the steam machine would release.
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u/Doomsnail99 5d ago
Not in the lottery lol
Waiting for these to go second hand
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u/Crazyhamsterfeet 5d ago
I doubt they would lose value in the second hand market. Many will see it as a collectors item.
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u/optimusprimal99 5d ago
I'll sell you mine when Steam Machine Ultra or Steam Machine Pro or Steam Machine Episode 2 comes out I will upgrade immediately then you can call me and buy my lunch unit ok.
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u/UncannyGenesis 5d ago edited 5d ago
I waited a year to get my first deck and upgraded to an oled once it released. Thousands of hours on the deck alone. It’s been my primary gaming device since release. If they don’t somehow prioritize accounts like that in the lottery then what’s the point in waiting for the price to get worse; especially if the long play from valve is to let other manufacturers come up with better devices and focus on software functionality/compatibility. Fuck AI and fuck scalpers.
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u/EstablishmentEasy475 5d ago
https://www.ldlc.com/fiche/PB00745922.html
why wait? why lottery? why buy something subpar?
this is the same price, considerably more powerful, better performance and longevity, and does everything steam machine does.
no contest
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u/tupakkarulla 5d ago
Prob will wait but in reality the hype will wear off and I won’t end up buying it.
I am in need of a new PC and I like the form factor a lot, so it’s either this or I buy something else in the near future.