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Steam Machine Price Announced - Starting at $1049 / £879

Had to read up on this more. So it's Steam/Linux based OS. You can surf the net. You can install windows and use it like a normal PC.

So US pricing is $1,050 or $1,350 pending the SSD, with no steampad.

Seems performance/specs stink for the price.

Just curious, based on the performance, what is a more reasonable US price if it's currently an overpriced PC?
 
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Valve has fallen into the trap of going for the cheapest AMD offcuts thinking it will make the hardware better value. But with PC components it doesn't work that way, there is often a curve where spending just a bit more will overcome the shitbox floor and deliver an infinitely better performing and better value experience. It's like choosing between two GPUs which are the exact same, except one has 8 gig VRAM and one has 16 gig - you are picking between an extremely scuffed and a fantastic experience for the sake of $100.

It's just terrible hardware choices made by Valve here. Even if the RAMpocalypse was inevitable, and this thing was going to be expensive no matter what, It would be a different story if it was at least capable for the price. That is the route that I expect Helix to take, and it will be much better for it. By the way Valve, I also really don't care that the Steam Machine "is better than 70% of PCs in the Steam hardware survey!", when the Steam audience is made up of third-worlders. That's not a hard thing to do.

The Gabecube was a gimmick and needed to be priced like one. Even $750 would've been pushing it. Instead we're looking at a premium asking price which is exceeding the cost of a PS5 Pro (for the console crowd) or a nice GPU upgrade (for the PC crowd). Lunacy.
 
Had to read up on this more. So it's Steam/Linux based OS. You can surf the net. You can install windows and use it like a normal PC.

So US pricing is $1,050 or $1,350 pending the SSD, with no steampad.

Seems performance/specs stink for the price.

Just curious, based on the performance, what is a more reasonable US price if it's an overpriced PC?
$649.99 max
 
ZWQY9Q0h8PYlFg6t.gif
 
Valve is going to axe that thing as soon they sell the first produced batch…

Hey man...............you maybe right about that. Because this "EXACT" pricing is mad weird. It's as if they can't afford to even losing a dollar per unit sold.
 
Well maybe the so called PC Master Race should've shut the fuck up when Nintendo announced a future $50 increase for the Switch 2. Now we don't wanna hear any excuse with Valve raising the price by $450.
That's right, you go ahead and make this about Nintendo.....Love you call out fanboys while acting like one yourself. As for the Switch 1 and 2 being price hiked, it wasn't Nintendos fault and anyone saying it was is stupid (even if it was initially overpriced).
Now, the way they announced it and then acted like victims and promised they would make it up their fans (then released an N64 rom, behind their paid subscription) was typical Nintendo and deserved to be mocked.
 
One need only look at the most basic reactions to the price of this thing even *outside* of NeoGAF to see that any console that launches at this price point(Helix or PS6) is gonna get laughed out of the room, RAM/SSD crisis or not.
 
I believe Microsoft will improve their XBOX mode on Windows. So it's probably better to buy your own windows pc and hook that up and hope the XBOX mode will be better.
 
Valve has fallen into the trap of going for the cheapest AMD offcuts thinking it will make the hardware better value. But with PC components it doesn't work that way, there is often a curve where spending just a bit more will overcome the shitbox floor and deliver an infinitely better performing and better value experience. It's like choosing between two GPUs which are the exact same, except one has 8 gig VRAM and one has 16 gig - you are picking between an extremely scuffed and a fantastic experience for the sake of $100.

100% this.

Price difference between 7600 and 9060XT 16GB is not that much compared to how much better and not memory limited 9060XT is:

EsowECXAHI6hpR7H.jpg
zO456Nf19lyYqj7W.jpg


90ya4hvUeq2OWtqc.jpg
gYHqdyrmJ2ffZIr6.jpg
 
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Based on the price you better off buying PS5 Pro over this.
But buying the SM is an investment. You presumably buy it once and get to own and play your games with better deals and no online pay wall on top of it with better performance than the xbox series S.

Assuming you didn't forget to buy the controller that is....
 
I am not going to argue specs until we cross that road.

Sony has been doing this for decades. They are an electronics company and have most of their own supply chains covered for a lot of the compents.

You are comparing the big leagues to a novelty project, really.
Sony's volume for memory might look a lot different than it did when they were negotiating PS5 pricing. Bunch of new chunky fish in that pond who want that stuff badly. It doesn't seem to have helped Apple recently. Hell Samsung makes the stuff and have you seen how the Galaxy has responded in specs and pricing? I don't understand how Sony can be expected to have immunity here when Apple and Samsung don't.
 
Hey man...............you maybe right about that. Because this "EXACT" pricing is mad weird. It's as if they can't afford to even losing a dollar per unit sold.
There's no other thing they can do at this point… There's no more empty space in the desert of alamogordo and they are not going to afford the loses… In the upcoming weeks Valve is going to announce that the Steammachine is sold out and probably you are not going to hear anything about it until they announce the end of production.
 
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this shit gets even funnier since some units come with 1x16gb ram in single slot, and others 2x8gb. single channel ram on a gaming device in 2026... what a shitshow
 
But buying the SM is an investment. You presumably buy it once and get to own and play your games with better deals and no online pay wall on top of it with better performance than the xbox series S.

Assuming you didn't forget to buy the controller that is....
the-office-jim-halpert.gif
 
"And so, the Steam machines failed... again... and for the same reason"


Where are the valve faboys defending everything? Didnt the system was going to be like $500 because Valve never does anything wrong?
 
100% this.

Price difference between 7600 and 9060XT 16GB is not that much compared to how much better and not memory limited 9060XT is:

EsowECXAHI6hpR7H.jpg
zO456Nf19lyYqj7W.jpg


90ya4hvUeq2OWtqc.jpg
gYHqdyrmJ2ffZIr6.jpg
So right now you can build a cheaper and much better PC maybe even a pre build??
 
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But buying the SM is an investment. You presumably buy it once and get to own and play your games with better deals and no online pay wall on top of it with better performance than the xbox series S.

Assuming you didn't forget to buy the controller that is....
I have to disagree, because the SM runs on Linux, certain MP games are still off the table. The hardware will also be outdated eventually and unlike a regular PC, you can't just get a new CPU or GPU to extend your system's life for a couple years. So just like a console, you'll eventually have to buy an entirely new system at some point. I doubt Sony and MSFT will drop backwards compatibility, so you can also move your console libraries to next gen, if you're already invested in these systems. I get the appeal of the system, I own a Steam Deck after all, but I really don't see the value proposition of the SM in its current state.
 
It's half ass system. It doesn't have any of the advantages of PC or consoles.
I generally like your posts and agree with most of them, and I'm not trying to be combative but this is a very uneducated take IMO. It also seems weird coming from you considering you don't play on PC nor seem to care about the advantages of PC.

Steam Machine
  • Linux based PC due to SteamOS. This means you can do nearly everything you can with a PC whether it's browsing NeoGAF, Youtube, Netflix, banking, etc if you exit gaming mode.
  • SteamOS allows you to do stuff like setup without anything but a controller and phone, suspend games, and wake from sleep with the controller just like a console.
  • Freedom to customize settings in games however you like just like a PC.
  • Simplicity of use like a console.
  • Console form factor
The out of the box experience of Steam Machine would be much closer to a console than a PC despite it being a full Linux based PC.
 
Valve has fallen into the trap of going for the cheapest AMD offcuts thinking it will make the hardware better value. But with PC components it doesn't work that way, there is often a curve where spending just a bit more will overcome the shitbox floor and deliver an infinitely better performing and better value experience. It's like choosing between two GPUs which are the exact same, except one has 8 gig VRAM and one has 16 gig - you are picking between an extremely scuffed and a fantastic experience for the sake of $100.

It's just terrible hardware choices made by Valve here. Even if the RAMpocalypse was inevitable, and this thing was going to be expensive no matter what, It would be a different story if it was at least capable for the price. That is the route that I expect Helix to take, and it will be much better for it. By the way Valve, I also really don't care that the Steam Machine "is better than 70% of PCs in the Steam hardware survey!", when the Steam audience is made up of third-worlders. That's not a hard thing to do.

The Gabecube was a gimmick and needed to be priced like one. Even $750 would've been pushing it. Instead we're looking at a premium asking price which is exceeding the cost of a PS5 Pro (for the console crowd) or a nice GPU upgrade (for the PC crowd). Lunacy.
This was supposed to be a screen-less $500 Steam Deck+ for the living room. A Balataro and Hollow Knight machine. There probably isn't much market for a thousand-dollar Balataro and Hollow Knight machine right now, so I'm sure the reorder expectations are banging on whatever the floor of the contract is.

Benchmarking Crimson Desert and feigning shock seems silly. We've known since the spec reveal that this was an indie machine. Market conditions just don't allow it to be priced like one.

I have to disagree, because the SM runs on Linux, certain MP games are still off the table. The hardware will also be outdated eventually and unlike a regular PC, you can't just get a new CPU or GPU to extend your system's life for a couple years. So just like a console, you'll eventually have to buy an entirely new system at some point. I doubt Sony and MSFT will drop backwards compatibility, so you can also move your console libraries to next gen, if you're already invested in these systems. I get the appeal of the system, I own a Steam Deck after all, but I really don't see the value proposition of the SM in its current state.
This will play Indie releases for 15 years. You think there won't be side scrollers and boomer shooters in 15 years? Or that new versions of Windows or Linux won't be able to do installed on it? That's exactly what this device is designed to play. It's not like they were trying to make a machine that can play modern ray tracing games and just didn't know how to spec it.
 
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I have to disagree, because the SM runs on Linux, certain MP games are still off the table. The hardware will also be outdated eventually and unlike a regular PC, you can't just get a new CPU or GPU to extend your system's life for a couple years. So just like a console, you'll eventually have to buy an entirely new system at some point. I doubt Sony and MSFT will drop backwards compatibility, so you can also move your console libraries to next gen, if you're already invested in these systems. I get the appeal of the system, I own a Steam Deck after all, but I really don't see the value proposition of the SM in its current state.
You don't actually believe my post was an honest take, do ya?
 
That's what I'm talking about too. Why would you think the new Steam Machine will sell over 10 million units?
I did not say any figure. All I said is that it will sell despite the outrageous price + it all depends on the stock. I don't even think Valve are capable of putting out 10m machines to begin with, let alone sell that amount. They're barely making the controller available. So yes, as long as there's stock, it will sell. That's my whole take my friend
 
100% this.

Price difference between 7600 and 9060XT 16GB is not that much compared to how much better and not memory limited 9060XT is:

EsowECXAHI6hpR7H.jpg
zO456Nf19lyYqj7W.jpg


90ya4hvUeq2OWtqc.jpg
gYHqdyrmJ2ffZIr6.jpg

I would like to see someone work out the Steam Machine's cost per frame. I bet it's ludicrous if it's getting 14fps in Cyberpunk for over $1000. Meanwhile a PS5 Pro is doing high RT at 40fps at 1440p for less.

Cracking Up Lol GIF by MOODMAN
 
I generally like your posts and agree with most of them, and I'm not trying to be combative but this is a very uneducated take IMO. It also seems weird coming from you considering you don't play on PC nor seem to care about the advantages of PC.

Steam Machine
  • Linux based PC due to SteamOS. This means you can do nearly everything you can with a PC whether it's browsing NeoGAF, Youtube, Netflix, banking, etc if you exit gaming mode.
  • SteamOS allows you to do stuff like setup without anything but a controller and phone, suspend games, and wake from sleep with the controller just like a console.
  • Freedom to customize settings in games however you like just like a PC.
  • Simplicity of use like a console.
  • Console form factor
The out of the box experience of Steam Machine would be much closer to a console than a PC despite it being a full Linux based PC.
I could be wrong here but one of the big advantages PC have over consoles is run games better than consoles and able to upgrade individual parts? Which I dont think you can do with this system and it looks like it's even weaker than base PS5.

So I don't know, I don't think this is system you want to get to have proper PC gaming experience.
 
This will play Indie releases for 15 years. You think there won't be side scrollers and boomer shooters in 15 years? Or that new versions of Windows or Linux won't be able to do installed on it? That's exactly what this device is designed to play. It's not like they were trying to make a machine that can play modern ray tracing games and just didn't know how to spec it.
$1000+ for an indie machine? I'm sorry, I expect a little bit more for that price, even at the current state of the market. And since you can't replace anything besides the RAM and the SSD, you'll have to get a new one the moment something breaks, anyway. I really fail to see what you see in this machine, but it wasn't my intent to put anyone off of it. As I stated, I just don't see the value proposition of the device.
 
Is it the lightweight GPU, old CPU or 8 gigs of RAM that gives you that premium feel for it?
I have like 10 computers here, I don't care. It's a premium product due to its form factor, ease of use, and general use case, not due to what RAM it has. If you don't have a use case for it then it's like any other product you don't have a use for.
 
$1000+ for an indie machine? I'm sorry, I expect a little bit more for that price, even at the current state of the market. And since you can't replace anything besides the RAM and the SSD, you'll have to get a new one the moment something breaks, anyway. I really fail to see what you see in this machine, but it wasn't my intent to put anyone off of it. As I stated, I just don't see the value proposition of the device.
Well yeah it was planned to be a $500 indie machine that got rug pulled on the way to the market. The company I work for is dealing with the same thing.

I'm not suggesting anyone run out and buy it, I just understand how we got here. Maybe it has value to people who buy $800 PC Decks. My ceiling on those is around $500 personally. Performance compares well against them.
 
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I'm not going to buy it, but I respect that they didn't subsidize it.

They're right that in the long run that creates a more closed ecosystem for PC gaming.
 
Just to be clear, the only way I think this iteration of Steam Machine has anything close to long-lasting mass-market success is if the competition raises prices by roughly the same amount. Which I think we would be foolish to rule out. Maybe by this time next year $1000 is the new $500. I know the longer we stay at these higher prices the more they calcify and make things harder to reverse by raising the cost of all goods.

Best case scenario is they're able to match Steam Deck volume at its new pricing. Valve probably considers breaking even on the entire SM venture a win at this point. You have to.

Machine compares favorably to new Deck pricing. I'm surprised we didn't see more videos about it. Not spicy enough perhaps. But it remains to be seen how deep the Deck demand can go at the new pricing. I know $500ish is my ceiling on a PC Deck, but it's barely above novelty tier in my personal load out.
 
For $750, the Steam Machine would've been a no-brainer for a lot of people. For $1,049 to start, Valve essentially made a smaller and Temu Series X lol.
 
I could be wrong here but one of the big advantages PC have over consoles is run games better than consoles and able to upgrade individual parts? Which I dont think you can do with this system and it looks like it's even weaker than base PS5.

So I don't know, I don't think this is system you want to get to have proper PC gaming experience.
Performance is just one of many advantages of PC.

Also if you look at the Steam hardware survey you'll find that a good amount of PC gamers are playing on machines worse then current generation consoles. I wouldn't look at NeoGAF users as a normal representation of PC gaming.
 
I'm not going to buy it, but I respect that they didn't subsidize it.

They're right that in the long run that creates a more closed ecosystem for PC gaming.
Yeah it's really more "it only makes sense to subsidize closed ecosystem devices." As has been said dozens of times across various threads, they just aren't trying to compete with consoles at all. This is just one option for PC gaming.

(it doesn't seem like a good option but since this isn't not a "platform" there's no real stakes here)
 
This was supposed to be a screen-less $500 Steam Deck+ for the living room. A Balataro and Hollow Knight machine. There probably isn't much market for a thousand-dollar Balataro and Hollow Knight machine right now, so I'm sure the reorder expectations are banging on whatever the floor of the contract is.

Benchmarking Crimson Desert and feigning shock seems silly. We've known since the spec reveal that this was an indie machine. Market conditions just don't allow it to be priced like one.

I don't really believe this - Valve marketed this thing running modern AAA games like Black Myth Wukong and Silent Hill f, while insisting post-reveal that the hardware was more than ample enough for games of that caliber because it's better than 70% of PCs on Steam. It was a lot of spin and peddling of bullshit stats from Valve, quite frankly.

Aside from that, I agree with you that it should've been positioned like a gimmick device. But that only works if it's priced like one too.

In terms of benchmarking obviously heavy games like Crimson Desert, for once I think journalists are doing gamers a big service here. People need to realize before they buy that the premium price is not reflective of the premium experience they're probably expecting.
 
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