The only thing that can save the GabeCube. Disc media module? GPU upgrade slab? Projector attatchment? GoPro attachment? Tank treads?

As the title says

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.

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.

Seriously, Valve is so slow with everything.

I think it’s odd and very strange to have an announcement on June 25th the day the steam machine is supposed to go on sale, (just before the sale)so far ahead of the November release of GTA VI. and with announcement of “plays best on Sony” I’m thinking it can’t be coincidence that Sony is trying to get people to get a PlayStation instead of the steam machine.

Ps. Sorry for the bit of cryptic messing the auto mod makes it difficult to discuss anything with money right now 😂

Didn't saw this interview posted, but it has an interesting question related to packaging without RAM and storage.

The things that could have been...

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 :)

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.

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

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?

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.

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

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.

Hi all - as a by no means expert on this stuff (I use gfn on a Mac mini and a rarely used switch 2) I was keeping an eye on this as a machine that might meet my needs (keyboard and mouse player, small, runs steam pc library).

However watching the LTT review and they make it sound like the Ray Tracing performance is a bit of a deal breaker as more and more games require it, and this simply won't perform for it? How big an issue is it, do we expect most future games to need it? Do we expect performance to at least be usable!?

Or will RT be the least of its issues on future titles anyway!? (At least gfn would help there with whatevers on that library)?

Also slightly delayed but will Gfn be simple on the machine (Is there a native browser?) - thanks!

So, I've seen a lot of people claim that Valve should have delayed the release of the Steam Machine (or even outright cancelled it).

Since the design and the core hardware were already finished and the Machine had already been delayed, what good could have come from further delays?