Valve Announces New Hardware!

[Pezimak]

Today Valve has launched the Steam Machine home console for your TV running Steam OS, new Steam Controller and Steam Frame VR headset. The Steam Machine has upgradable SSD and memory! And is 6 times the power of the Steam Deck. Gotta say it is tempting....

http://store.steampowered.com/sale/hardware

No pricing as yet, but the Steam Machine will be offered in a 512GB and a 2TB option, but as said you can upgrade that.

 

[Pezimak]

To the MODS I wasn't sure where to put this as they are selling this as both a PC and a console. So I have posted it here in the console section.

 

[salamanderjuice]

I have been waiting for the controller. Or something like it. Steam Frame is also an ARM Linux PC which is more enticing than I first thought...

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I may be tempted to consider this. I tried an older SteamDeck with a dock to use with my home theater system and utterly loathed the experience. I’d have to unplug and re-plug everything in to get it to connect to my AVR. I still have a Nintendo Switch that just works. Wake it up with the game controller and everything comes on. If this new Steam Machine will do the same, I’m in.

 

[Pezimak]

Digital Foundry confirmed, SSD is an included 2230 but you can 'easily' upgrade it to a 2280! And the RAM used is laptop SODIMM ram and IS upgradable but you have to strip the machine apart to get to it. So being sold as a console with upgradable SSD and RAM. Holy moly if the 512GB model is sold for 400 or 500!!!!!!!

It supports ray tracing too but we need to wait to see performance. Also Valve are in discussion with AMD to officially bring FSR 4 to it! They are putting it near PS5 performance. But PS5 should still have overall better performance, however no one has really tested it yet of course.

I might consider this. I enjoyed the Steam Deck but couldn't use it after a few months as it gave me bad RSI pains, and Windows handhelds are expensive and heavy and run Windows.. so this may be a good alternative as I can use what ever controls I want and its purpose built for the TV or a monitor.

Irony also is this COULD run PS5 games better than PS5.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

This thing looks like it'd make a great little desktop too, especially if they can get the price right.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Watching Dave2d video on it now ...
This may be a buy from me (the desktop at least)

 

[Pezimak]

Meh.. Valve said they are not going to be pricing the Steam Machine like a console, but more like a Mini PC. So it could end up costing 600 or 700 starting price I guess? That is too much I think. Memory prices are pretty volatile at the moment.

Also their is a chance that the next Steam Deck is ARM based as they have got Steam OS for ARM now, the new R headset is running a Snapdragon chip.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I can't put my fingers on who it's for.

Too geeky to appeal to casual gamers who want a gaming console that doesn't need fettling with settings.

Marketing it as a tv console is not ideal as fsr3 artefacts are highly visible on a tv. At best its a 1080p console.

Specs aren't high enough to ace AAA tittle. Might not be an issue if you mostly play indie games. But if you do, it might be better to buy a steam deck that you can also play casually on the go.

Furthermore unlike a PC it's not upgradable. At most I would pay PS5 money for it.

I may be tempted to consider this. I tried an older SteamDeck with a dock to use with my home theater system and utterly loathed the experience. I’d have to unplug and re-plug everything in to get it to connect to my AVR. I still have a Nintendo Switch that just works. Wake it up with the game controller and everything comes on. If this new Steam Machine will do the same, I’m in.

Does docking not work as smoothly as with a Nintendo switch?

 

[salamanderjuice]

I can't put my fingers on who it's for.

Too geeky to appeal to casual gamers who want a gaming console that doesn't need fettling with settings.

Marketing it as a tv console is not ideal as fsr3 artefacts are highly visible on a tv. At best its a 1080p console.

Specs aren't high enough to ace AAA tittle. Might not be an issue if you mostly play indie games. But if you do, it might be better to buy a steam deck that you can also play casually on the go.

Furthermore unlike a PC it's not upgradable. At most I would pay PS5 money for it.


Does docking not work as smoothly as with a Nintendo switch?

It's for people that want a PC to hook up to their TV and have it be relatively easy to use. It's also fast enough that AAA games will run fine. No, you won't be playing everything at 4K, but generally new stuff will work reasonably well.

Steam Deck is pretty under-powered for TV play and can be pretty finicky to use docked because of the resolution switching and built-in controller (sometimes games REALLY want that to be player 1). For people that don't care about playing on the go and only want TV play this is the better buy.

You can upgrade both the storage and the RAM.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Does docking not work as smoothly as with a Nintendo switch?

No. As mentioned, I used it with a dock. This was an older SteamDeck and "supposedly" the newer OLED SteamDeck works better in this regard, according to my GF's son. I just can't be bothered to give it another shot based on his word alone.

 

[Macalicious2011]

It's for people that want a PC to hook up to their TV and have it be relatively easy to use. It's also fast enough that AAA games will run fine. No, you won't be playing everything at 4K, but generally new stuff will work reasonably well.

Steam Deck is pretty under-powered for TV play and can be pretty finicky to use docked because of the resolution switching and built-in controller (sometimes games REALLY want that to be player 1). For people that don't care about playing on the go and only want TV play this is the better buy.

You can upgrade both the storage and the RAM.

From what I read, the console stem from data that a big percentage of dream deck players play docked.

In fairness, the majority of titles are designed for least common denominator. Keep settings between medium and high and 4k at reasonable frame rates with fsr should hit 60fps.

A big bonus with this console/pc is that many buyers will already have a library of games to play.

Most games I buy on steam are older or indie, therefore the specs should be enough. Eitherway my next hardware will likely be the steam deck to supplement my Series X and 4070ti super pc.

 

[Pezimak]

Valve are in discussions with AMD to bring FSR 4 officially to the Steam Machine hopefully by the time it launches, so it will have upscaling that can compete with Nvidia’s DLSS, and FSR4 is said to be a HUGE improvement. It will sell by the truck load if they price it right. Steam OS is no joke and MANY prefer it over Windows and its bloat and issues. I cannot use the Steam Deck personally, it gives me bad RSI pains due to the left thumb stick being so inset.

 

[Macalicious2011]

FSR4 is a must. 3 is simply not good enough compared with DLSS, even more so now that DLSS uses transformers. Far3 is completely left behind.

It’s a bummer that RAM prices have shot through the roof. Makes it difficult to valve to offer it at a bargain price.

 

[kody137]

Digital Foundry confirmed, SSD is an included 2230 but you can 'easily' upgrade it to a 2280! And the RAM used is laptop SODIMM ram and IS upgradable but you have to strip the machine apart to get to it. So being sold as a console with upgradable SSD and RAM. Holy moly if the 512GB model is sold for 400 or 500!!!!!!!

It supports ray tracing too but we need to wait to see performance. Also Valve are in discussion with AMD to officially bring FSR 4 to it! They are putting it near PS5 performance. But PS5 should still have overall better performance, however no one has really tested it yet of course.

I might consider this. I enjoyed the Steam Deck but couldn't use it after a few months as it gave me bad RSI pains, and Windows handhelds are expensive and heavy and run Windows.. so this may be a good alternative as I can use what ever controls I want and its purpose built for the TV or a monitor.

Irony also is this COULD run PS5 games better than PS5.

If this thing went to market for $400, Microsoft/Xbox is cooked

 

[Pezimak]

If this thing went to market for $400, Microsoft/Xbox is cooked

Sadly it won’t, Valve told those who went to see it they will not be pricing it like a console, but a PC. Most likely to protect their relationships with Windows and Microsoft etc, I mean the next Xbox is rumoured to be a PC that will have the Steam store on it. How much it will be who knows, but it could be 700 or 800.

 

[kody137]

Sadly it won’t, Valve told those I voted to see it they will not be pricing it like a console, but a PC. Most likely to protect their relationships with Windows and Microsoft etc, I mean the next Xbox is rumoured to be a PC that will have the Steam store on it. How much it will be who knows, but it could be 700 or 800.

Idk, Valve is increasingly holding all of the cards, I don't think it will be long until Microsoft is asking THEM to play nice. Every indication based on what they showed off yesterday signals that they are looking to go to market at the lowest price viable. They also sold the Steam Deck as a loss leader, and I can see them doing the same with the Machine. Steam doesn't NEED Windows. The only reason it's so popular for gaming is because gaming on Linux has traditionally sucked, but Valve is also investing a metric ton into compatibility layers, and if the Machine takes off, I don't think it would take long for anti-cheat issues to be figured out on Linux

 

[Macalicious2011]

If this thing went to market for $400, Microsoft/Xbox is cooked

Bear in mind that SteamOS is not perfect. The stores don't have all the game, no gamepass/PSN and some games that require anti-cheat or aren't optimised for steam OS don't work perfectly.

Many console gamers are non geeky and just want things to work and not have to scroll through forums for trouble shooting. However these are issues that will likely be resolved overtime. SteamOS is a great anti-windows option for gaming. Maybe one day i will install it on my PC which is exclusively use for gaming on the tV.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

Valve is one hell of a company. Super excited to see those new products, most curious about price point .

What they're doing is astounding for such a company (their teams are quite small) . Linux based systems, heavy work on proton, and now arm64 with FEX ... running in Linux. Goddamn

 

[jlnr]

I've never used the Steam Deck's touchpads in a game and I doubt their controller will be a hit. If I want to play a game designed for a mouse, I'll walk to my desk.

The Steam Machine will definitely replace my current SteamOS/Bazzite HTPC though, which will then replace my Mac for work to some degree. Valve (and Framework) are really bringing the hype and fun back into computing for me.

And I think Valve is wise in not trying to replace high-powered desktop PCs (for now) because then people would be much more critical of the SteamOS desktop/online multiplayer experience. SteamOS shines for indies and local multiplayer, where Linux' anti-cheat issues don't really matter.

 

[Macalicious2011]

I think the touchpads are nice to have. Handy for games that haven't been fully optimised for exclusive use with a controller. Alternatively for signing into websites like Epic or EA.

I play my PC from the couch and look forward to the day I can boot up windows using a controller and not having to use my mouse. If you work 8-10 hours per day in front of a computer, it's sometimes nice to be able to play games without touching a mouse or keyboard in the evening.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I think the touchpads are nice to have. Handy for games that haven't been fully optimised for exclusive use with a controller. Alternatively for signing into websites like Epic or EA.

I play my PC from the couch and look forward to the day I can boot up windows using a controller and not having to use my mouse. If you work 8-10 hours per day in front of a computer, it's sometimes nice to be able to play games without touching a mouse or keyboard in the evening.

Yep!
Many of us want "PC gaming" without dealing with any Windows BS.

 

[jlnr]

If you work 8-10 hours per day in front of a computer, it's sometimes nice to be able to play games without touching a mouse or keyboard in the evening.

Maybe that's the thing. I already use my Magic Trackpad 8 hours a day, don't need two of them on my gamepad! A tiny touchpad like on the Legion Go or (I think) PlayStation controllers would be great for clicking buttons in a pinch. But Valve is going for the Swiss army knife of controllers and it certainly won't be cheap.

 

[piccolamela]

Although I'm more interested in the next gen Xbox console/PC where I'll be able to have an all in one gaming device (Xbox, PC and Steam Libraries + higher end hardware), these new products are wonderful new options for so many people who loving playing games. Competition for Sony and Microsoft and Nintendo is very welcome.

I think it's awesome that Valve is going to release dedicated PC hardware that Developers can target and optimize for since it's a specific set of hardware just like a console. Bonus: it's a compact PC too if there's a need for it. The ARM-based SoC headset is interesting since it's opens up the ARM platform for SteamOS and games which hopefully leads to future more efficient handhelds for example.

Personally I prefer the console convenience over the PC hassle: No worries about hardware compatibility, OS is usually very stable, system and game updates are simple, boot up the console and game with little settings fiddling required, play on a big TV and from the couch and use it with a controller (first UI). However I like to play certain games modded (almost exclusively a PC thing) and PC games tend to be cheaper or on sale more frequently. Both Valve's Steam Machine and the next gen Xbox console/PC will give me all that on one device.

And for Linux as a plattform itself, all of this is also awesome, more ressources poured into it, more development and optimizations, increasing the userbase.

 

[maflynn]

Both Valve's Steam Machine and the next gen Xbox console/PC will give me all that on one device.

If I was a betting man, I'd say that the steam machine will be cheaper but the xbox may have more higher end gpu capability. I'm at a stage of my computer usage, in that if I can avoid microsoft I will. The steam machine allows that very action.

I have no idea how much the steam machine will go for, but I've seen people guess that it will be between 600 - 1,000, where as the rumors on the new xbox pricing seems to be floating in the 1,000 -- 1,500 range. Its all conjecture at this point. I'd also worry about MS shoving copilot down our throats, even on their next gaming console.

I think the new xbox isn't coming out until 2027, maybe 2028, but the steam machine will be here next year.