Steam has started advertising their platform

I think I'll probably end up with one. I've never games on a PC, but have recently become more intrigued. I prefer to game on a large TV, so this would be a good solution.

Basically what it is. I'll probably buy that if it's not too overpriced

I wonder if it comes with a controller.

Eta: I doubt it LINK

quote:

---

Is this better than buying a new computer, to play some of the pc games???

---

Steam Link would require a gaming-capable computer, as I assume this thing is just a wifi box with a transcoder.

If you're asking about steam machines, it's a matter of convenience just like any other pre-built computer. These are just PCs, just marketed to living room gamers. The hardware may have proprietary form factor designs that can't be replicated by a consumer, but the architecture itself is the same and its performance can easily be replicated and exceeded.

quote:

---

Alien gaming are over priced on name, correct?

---

Alienware is going to launch a steam machine as well. All of the steam boxes are going to be third party. ASUS, Alienware, Falcon Northwest, Gigabyte, Zotac etc. etc. You can see the list here: LINK

They're all just PC builds with SteamOS installed. Some will have higher margins than others, some will be higher end, some will be better configured in terms of hardware, etc.

People are going to disagree with me here, but the biggest turnoff is SteamOS. You're limited to Steam's Linux library, which is about a 10th of its overall library, not to mention all the non-steam games it won't support. Couple that with the fact that some of the steam boxes are in the $1,000+ range and ship with top-end graphics cards. Why on earth would you buy that caliber of a machine only to limit yourself to such a comparatively small library? Then at the low end, there are the $459+ machines, with the same limited library, only we have hardware specs like these:



That's pathetic. Hardware-wise, it's worse than the cheaper XB1 and PS4, which actually support many of the blockbuster titles you won't find in the SteamOS library. And this pathetic weakbox won't even be out for another 8 months.

Don't get me wrong; I am a 100% purebred PC gamer. But I just don't understand the angle with these Steam Boxes -- or rather, SteamOS. Why pay the cost of a PC and lose so many of its benefits? Especially when DirectX 12 will be rearing up right around the time these steam boxes ship.

I have a hard time thinking it will provide all of the titles that steam has to offer and still be affordable.

You, sir, just unsold me on a steam box.

Just my humble opinion. Fits right in with my "just build one" mentality. Though if anyone is really really not willing to build one and wants the Steam box form factor, at least put Windows on it, dual boot even.

Yeah, the Alienware Alpha has Windows 8.1. The SteamOS version looks like it will have the same specs as the low-end Alpha. $20 cheaper because no Windows.

Steam link is tempting but I wonder what the controller options will be. I don't want to have to buy their controller just for this.