Steam Hardware Available Now

[btarunr]

Valve today announces the official launch of its line of Steam Hardware devices in the US, Canada, UK, and Europe. A leading platform for PC, Mac, and Linux games, Steam offers more than 6,000 titles to millions of gamers around the world. The Steam Controller, Steam Link, and Steam Machines are a collection of hardware devices designed to expand the Steam gaming experience into any room in the home.

Earlier this fall, Valve announced dedicated Steam Sections in most GameStop, GAME UK, and EB Games stores. The sections will feature the Steam Hardware devicesas well as a variety of Steam prepaid cards. In addition, Steam Machines will be available from their respective PC manufacturers, and the Steam Controller and Link are available via Amazon and directly from Steam.



About the Steam Hardware devices:
Steam Controller -- An innovative input device that allows you to play games from all genres, including traditional gamepad style games as well as games usually reserved for play with a mouse and keyboard. Steam Controllers are wireless, completely configurable, and available for a suggested retail price of $49.99/?54.99/£39.99/$59.99CAD.

Steam Link -- The Steam Link allows Steam gamers to easily expand the range of their current gaming set up via their home network. Connecting any TV to your Steam host PC or Steam Machine, the Steam Link allows you to stream your games anywhere via your home network, and is available for a suggested retail price of $49.99/?54.99/£39.99/$59.99CAD.

Steam Machines -- Available from Alienware, Zotac, Cyberpower, and other manufacturers, Steam Machines can serve as a stand-alone device for enjoying the Steam gaming experience in one box, with more than 1,500 titles available for native play. In addition, Steam Machines have the ability to broadcast and receive In Home Streaming, allowing you to stream your games to a Steam Link, or receive a stream from another Steam Machine or PC. Steam Machines will vary in price, offering a range of hard drive sizes, graphics performance, and more. Starting at $449.99.

For more information about the Steam Hardware pre order offerings, please visit this page.

Steam and Steam Link are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Valve Corporation in the US, Canada, the UK, and other countries.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[nickbaldwin86]

Are the masses really buying into this? These are just a PC with Steam OS installed on it. Makes it a single use item. I thought people were into consolidating not multiplying in terms of devices. Just build or buy a HTPC with Windows 10 and install Steam, that way you can still use the HTPC as a media box.

 

[rooivalk]

Are the masses really buying into this? These are just a PC with Steam OS installed on it. Makes it a single use item. I thought people were into consolidating not multiplying in terms of devices. Just build or buy a HTPC with Windows 10 and install Steam, that way you can still use the HTPC as a media box.

I think they have two objectives here:
1. Bringing virtual minimum standard for a decent gaming PC, so that other players are forced to build equal or better PC than already existing steam machines. Good example for this is Intel Centrino certification. Before intel centrino exist, wifi adapter is only exist on high end notebook or as an option. Years later, every notebook comes with wifi to meet minimum standard set by Centrino. Maybe someday people say it's a 'gaming rig' when it's as good as the cheapest steam machine.
2. Lower the barrier entry to PC gaming. Some people daunted by the prospect of having to build your own PC or picking each component themselves. Elitist jerks on the net that shun gaming PC builder like Alienware are also not helping in this case. With Steam Machine coming as complete set (rig, controller, OS), it's as easy as buying console. People also will be more willing to trust the big name of Steam.

That being said, you and me are not their target consumer.

 

[GreiverBlade]

well my Alienware Alpha is a STEAM machine sans STEAM OS with win 8.1 and Kodi + STEAM big picture intended as a primary use ... because they failed to bring STEAM OS when the Alpha was ready DELL/Alienware decided to launch it like a normal "compact livingroom PC/HTPC" .... well it feels better like that i have to admit
i still had 5 STEAM games bundled with my alpha while now only the STEAM machine from them get that offer
http://www.alienware.com/Landings/steammachine/
the reason to buy on that page is "bullseye" in favor of the "sans steam os" version
now if the price of the STEAM version exceed the price of the "normal" version i will laugh really hard...

i don't know why but i don't like at all the STEAM controller and i take the X360 one bundled with the Alpha over that one, any time. (ok the STEAM one has the advantage to have a smaller receiver tho ...)

another negative point: STEAM OS is linux based ... that doesn't help the game library to be sufficient
but on the opposite it's also a positive point: it will, maybe, motivate devs to do Linux compatible games ...

(and i do hope for the second positive point tho)

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Are the masses really buying into this? These are just a PC with Steam OS installed on it. Makes it a single use item. I thought people were into consolidating not multiplying in terms of devices. Just build or buy a HTPC with Windows 10 and install Steam, that way you can still use the HTPC as a media box.

Yes, but its decent for people who can't build one, or dont want too. And it is in a form factor packed with some power in a console size foot print. Trying to get my buddy to get the Alienware lower end model instead of an Xbox One.

 

[Bansaku]

" This is great news! " Said no one!

 

[MxPhenom 216]

" This is great news! " Said no one!

I really dont get the beef.

 

[DannibusX]

The beef is PC enthusiasts thinking this is for them. It clearly isn't.

 

[xenocide]

The beef is PC enthusiasts thinking this is for them. It clearly isn't.

It never was. Just like Alienware, Cyberpower Inc, etc. were never for PC Enthusiasts. Having a bottom line for "Gaming PC's" is not a bad thing. Hopefully it corrects stuff like Alienware and Cyberpower selling PC's with unreasonably lopsided configurations. Get our mid-range PC with a minimum of an i7 and a GTX 950 Ti! Wut?

 

[Cheeseball]

To be honest, if it was actually possible to build a custom SFF PC easily like that ZOTAC, I'd do it.

But getting parts to fit that form under $500? Not possible.

 

[xorbe]

The mystery 960 Ti (3GB 192-bit 1280 core) shown in the Zotac NEN machine is now listed on geforce.com as an OEM only part. Scrooge says, Merry Christmas to all.

 

[RCoon]

The beef is PC enthusiasts thinking this is for them. It clearly isn't.

I have a steam machine and I'm an enthusiast

 

[GreiverBlade]

Trying to get my buddy to get the Alienware lower end model instead of an Xbox One.

i put my recommendation on it .... but the "sans STEAM OS version" .... they can install (or you can do it for them) STEAM OS later ... but 1st give them a full STEAM library experience firsthand instead of crippling them

oh and a huge by the way, STEAM OS or STEAM big picture : NO DIFFERENCE at all (ok ... except Linux)
fun starting a Alpha under Hivemind then launching steam in big picture all that with a X360 controller (STEAM controller compatible iirc) gets the same result

they seems to sell the STEAM version same price as the naked version which is literally not right, well ... STEAM OS license cost is the same as a Windows 8.1? i don't think so ... so the price should be at last 100$ less, since a STEAM controller cost the same as a X360 controller the rest of the machine doesn't change too much ...

 

[buggalugs]

I dont have one of these but I can see the value of it for some people. Even if you're an enthusiast, if you want to game around at your friends house, or you want to take a gaming platform away on holidays, its a bit hard to carry a PC and keyboard and mouse with you. This is like a console, you can take it anywhere. Also, you dont have to maintain a windows PC just to play your games, you dont have to update all your drivers and shit, you dont have to pay for a windows licence etc, you dont have all the hassles of running a PC.

There are plenty of reasons for this platform.

 

[GreiverBlade]

This is like a console, you can take it anywhere. Also, you dont have to maintain a windows PC just to play your games, you dont have to update all your drivers and shit, you dont have to pay for a windows licence etc, you dont have all the hassles of running a PC.

just like my Alpha but it has a windows license and did cost the same

 

[medi01]

I think they have two objectives here:
1. Bringing virtual minimum standard for a decent gaming PC, so that other players are forced to build equal or better PC than already existing steam machines. Good example for this is Intel Centrino certification. Before intel centrino exist, wifi adapter is only exist on high end notebook or as an option. Years later, every notebook comes with wifi to meet minimum standard set by Centrino. Maybe someday people say it's a 'gaming rig' when it's as good as the cheapest steam machine.
2. Lower the barrier entry to PC gaming. Some people daunted by the prospect of having to build your own PC or picking each component themselves. Elitist jerks on the net that shun gaming PC builder like Alienware are also not helping in this case. With Steam Machine coming as complete set (rig, controller, OS), it's as easy as buying console. People also will be more willing to trust the big name of Steam.

That being said, you and me are not their target consumer.

Hi,

I think it's neither nor.

Valve is afraid of Windows Store taking on Steam's practically monopolistic positions in PC Gaming market.
So their answer to it is to take on Windows. (good luck with that)

Key to taking on Windows is not the OS itself, but the DirectX that games devs seem to love that much.
Steam Machine does NOT address it at all (yet?).

Out of about 5k games on steam, only 1.5k are playable on Linux, much more than I expected though, but it is likely mostly indie arcades/adventures.

In its current form "steam machine" make little sense.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

I don't get the vitriol from both sides here. This is a complex issue, and nobody seems to want to tackle it as such. Let's get the main points across.

1) Do any of the steam machines need to exist.
No. Valve has partnered with all of these developers, and they've managed to make "steam machines" varying from a $2000 desktop (charging $3000 for it) to a BRIX unit. I'm sorry, but I'd be pissed if I bought a "steam machine" for the reasonable $300 price tag, and discovered it played almost nothing. Valve shouldn't have pushed out machines with their name on it, to a hundred different standards. They should have given a base standard for performance, and allowed people to sell something like "steam machine +" for anything that offered better performance. As year go by, the current steam machine specs get reworked, forcing the old steam machines into the "legacy" category, which allows Valve to upgrade every few years, but keep older machines supported.

What we have now is Valve willing to put their name to pretty much anything, which devalues the name "steam machine."


2) Why is Valve pushing for the steam machine, or more specifically steam OS?
MS is vying for the same walled garden as Apple. It allows total control, and gives MS a huge profit to anything that is sold on their platforms. Valve, understandably, wants none of this. Between losing profits to MS, and being forced to do some QC, Valve will make significantly less money.

The solution is popping out a new way for people to get involved. Yes, you'll invest money into development and support, but if most gaming PCs have your OS installed the barrier to buying on steam disappears. People choose your OS because it is "free." As long as it functions for gaming, you're golden. You just have to incentivize some developers to code for your OS, on open source software, and you've got a new cash cow. The steam OS is amazing for common people, and for Valve. Whether you like Linux or not, Valve is offering the first real competition to an MS OS in the gaming PC market. That competition should be embraced.


3) Should you buy one of these steam machines?
Absolutely not. Put simply, these companies are charging a premium because of the form factors and the Valve labeling. I think what this is is an opportunity for us (technologically capable people) to start sharing with those that think building their own PC is a challenge. You can put together a pretty decent starter PC at the $400 mark, and without the OS expense that's it. Give these people ownership of the build process, and they'll love the PC all the more. In a year, introduce them to hardware upgrades. Show them that they don't need a console, and that upgrading will give them something new and better without having to buy a whole new system.

This is an opportunity to change from the "PC master race" into what we should be, the PC ubiquity. Buying these over priced boxes isn't the way, we need to teach people to build their own. I think this is where Valve screwed up the most. Their steam machines are a poor facsimile of a console, not a computer capable of beating a console at their own games.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

The beef is PC enthusiasts thinking this is for them. It clearly isn't.

Hi,

I think it's neither nor.

Valve is afraid of Windows Store taking on Steam's practically monopolistic positions in PC Gaming market.
So their answer to it is to take on Windows. (good luck with that)

Key to taking on Windows is not the OS itself, but the DirectX that games devs seem to love that much.
Steam Machine does NOT address it at all (yet?).

Out of about 5k games on steam, only 1.5k are playable on Linux, much more than I expected though, but it is likely mostly indie arcades/adventures.

In its current form "steam machine" make little sense.

There are AAA titles available on Linux now, one of which is the Metro series.

 

[dinmaster]

Steam os I'm kind of hmm mm about. On the other hand. Some people in pc want smaller pcs and this could be a good solution especially for media machines like I have. Cost effective ways and options are always welcome and will drive prices down for cases that are over priced. I'm happy either way. Some steam machines support big video cards in a compact case. But if your a full tilt person with 2+ video cards, this isn't for you unless they make one... just change the os and this opens up a lot of stuff. They should sell it option steam os or Windows os.

 

[medi01]

MS is vying for the same walled garden as Apple. It allows total control, and gives MS a huge profit to anything that is sold on their platforms

Microsoft not allowing to install from alternative app sources is unlikely to ever happen.
And if so, in what way would MS store be "walled"?

There are AAA titles available on Linux now, one of which is the Metro series.

Metro runs on Linux mostly because of a weirdness of the Ukrainian game studio.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see competition on both fronts: Vulkan vs DirectX and also <anyone> (gog.com can't do much with their no-DRM approach, sadly) vs Valve (30% of the game revenue going into Valve's pocket doesn't sound reasonable to me).
Yet there is no incentive for devs to support Linux at the moment, DirectX is the API of choice and Linux gaming market share is tiny.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

Microsoft not allowing to install from alternative app sources is unlikely to ever happen.
And if so, in what way would MS store be "walled"?
...

You seem to be making some pretty huge leaps here.

Right now, you can still buy physical copies of software for MAC. At the same time, the only thing that can be downloaded consistently is through their app store (yes, there are work arounds). This control of software is the walled garden.

MS is doing exactly that with their new store. If you cannot see the parallels then we really don't have much to talk about. MS raises the walls, forces you to certify a product before they're willing to sell it, and in return they impose a tax for selling anything. It supposedly benefits the consumers by offering minimum standards of operational function and quality, which Valve has not demonstrated particular concerns for in the past (read: all of the green light games that sucked). The reality is that a certification process, with MS dictating pricing to Valve, isn't great for consumers. Monopolies generally aren't. I'm all up for Valve being forced to have standards, but not with a 20% pricing increase (or whatever it would be, I'm guessing here) to cover the MS tax.

 

[medi01]

To me, only an app store with no way out without breaking EULA is "walled".
Which is iOS.

Sideloading allowed? Nope, not walled anymore. (to me, cough)

Microsoft won't stop or in any way make it harder for you to buy from gog or steam.
I've just bought and got installed on Win 10 "Starcraft II : LoV", no problems, no fees to Microsoft. Battle net client: click click, ok, start, play.

Monopolies are indeed generally not good for customers and that includes Valve.