On October 27th, a journalist at The Verge sought recommendations from colleagues regarding the purchase of a gaming PC. The objective was to find a compact, portable device that could fit beneath a living room TV while also being suitable for occasional desk use. The journalist expressed interest in a device that mirrored the user-friendly aspects of the Steam Deck, which has gained popularity for its simplicity and extensive library of PC games.
Two days later, the journalist visited Valve’s headquarters and encountered the new Steam Machine, a hybrid gaming PC and console. This model is a 6-inch cube designed to fit into small spaces, such as entertainment centers and desks. According to Valve, the Steam Machine’s AMD GPU is significantly more powerful than that of the Steam Deck, which may be beneficial for users primarily engaging with less graphically intensive games. The Steam Machine operates on SteamOS, which has already received positive feedback when used with the Steam Deck.
Features of the Steam Machine include a customizable LED bar intended to display various statuses, such as download progress, and support for Valve’s new Steam Controller, which is optimized for low-latency gameplay. The device’s Linux-based operating system allows users the option to install Windows, enabling access to a broader range of games, including those unavailable on Linux due to anti-cheat measures.
The Steam Machine is expected to seamlessly integrate with the user’s existing collection of Steam games, facilitating game access and cloud-saving capabilities. The journalist previously considered alternatives such as a gaming laptop or building a custom PC and found the Steam Machine’s first-party support attractive for gaming in a living room environment.
Valve plans to launch the Steam Machine in the upcoming year, although the pricing details have yet to be disclosed.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/games/818606/valve-steam-machine-tv-gaming-pc-wanted