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The top end Steam Deck was like $750 at release. Replace the screen with better CPU and GPU, and there’s your baseline for the Machine. Since it’s “6x” performance, price will probably be a bit higher. People thinking way less are smoking crack.
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How many of you have actually had a Linux PC connected to your living room TV? I built one about 13 years ago (and upgraded the guts occasionally) and it’s been awesome. With a regular web browser you can watch YouTube (with uBlock of course), Plex/Jellyfin, or any streaming service, in addition to gaming. Plus I’ve done stuff like vacation planning with my partner, where we can easily bring up maps and hotel listings from our couch without hunching over a laptop or tablet.
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While Linux hardware support is quite good these days, there’s still something to be said for buying a machine that you know is fully supported and targeted by game devs.
Submitted 2 weeks ago by simple@piefed.social to games@lemmy.world
Comments
Deconceptualist@leminal.space 2 weeks ago
brown567@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
- Ooh! Me! My TV has been a Linux box since 2016, and I’m NEVER going back
TrickDacy@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Same, but I’m much more recent. Got a rpi 5 running Arch. Been happy with it for 2-3 years now
P1k1e@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Just set this up after the whole windows 10 support drop thing, and holy shit!!! This is awesome! Not only no ads but I can Strawhat everything! Just got a figure out how to do this for my phone now
Katana314@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I had a PC connected to my tv for a while, main issue was I didn’t want to use a mouse or keyboard to interact with it. I tried desperately to get more ways of starting via controller or other lite interface devices, but nothing convenient. It was an old machine, so eventually I gave it away.
TonyOstrich@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I use a Logitech K400 to control the PC connected to my PC and I generally find it to be much more convenient and responsive than using the remote on a smart TV or the controller for a console when over at someone else’s place. To each their own though.
moakley@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Something like ten years ago I got into a console vs PC argument on reddit, and everyone unanimously told me that starting up a PC with a controller was such an easy feature to add that it wasn’t even a consideration. I stuck with consoles.
Deconceptualist@leminal.space 2 weeks ago
That’s a tough one. The new Steam Controller will probably let you use the trackpads with an onscreen keyboard (as long as you’re running the Steam app).
But you generally need some kind of keyboard with a PC. I have a little handheld Rii i4 with a thumb keyboard, maybe that would be better for you?
tempest@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
The majority of the steam deck SKUs were produced prior to the AI memory crunch.
These steam machines are being produced in a market where memory is 3 or 4 times more expensive.
This box will be more than a steam deck. Probably 1000 bucks or so.
chellomere@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I’m happily running an Intel NUC as TV computer since 2013, and it’s awesome for exactly the reasons you state. I invested in it when I realized how fully crap the “smart” features of my Samsung TV are. The ultimate controller for it is a combo keyboard and touchpad, I have the Logitech K400r.
The NUC is starting to show it’s age now with its 4th gen i5, and I’m in the process of replacing it with a mini PC with an Intel N100.
nailbar@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
Looks at my setup with Samsung tv, NUC, and wireless touchpad-keyboard combo… Huh? How about that!
dogs0n@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
- Personally don’t think it’s as easy to compare the deck to a box. It’s harder to stuff the power of a steam deck into such a small package. I’ve seen the compute of the machine be related to about 600$ if you purchased parts on your own to build the pc, but considering Valve have economies of scale, custom deals for customized chips with amd and having priced “painfully” in the past, there’s a good chance it’s less than 750$. All the Steam decks had the same performance too, the expensive ones just came with more storage and a case (so using the top end price in your example seems unjust?).
- Very true, those keyboard/mouse combo things that resemble a gamepad are the best!
Deconceptualist@leminal.space 2 weeks ago
The new Steam Machine is very compact for a gaming PC of its caliber. That took some real engineering to find the right combination of component size, TDP, thermals and noise for such a small box. There’s obviously no screen and battery but otherwise it’s similar design work as on the Deck.
captain_aggravated@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
I’ve got a Linux machine attached to my TV right now. It’s basically a Steam, Kodi and Firefox box.
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
- Yeah, I’m guessing $800-1000, and they’ll probably throw in a Steam Controller. That’s about how much a comparable PC would cost
- I’ve been debating it, but it needs to be something my 5yo can use.
- And that’s Valve’s target market here, those unwilling to DIY.
psivchaz@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Had a Windows PC hooked up to my TV in I think 2008, before streaming boxes and mass adoption of Netflix. Then it was dualboot for a while starting in I think 2015, originally with Ubuntu. Now it’s full time CachyOS Linux as of 2023.
It’s always been great. Wireless keyboard with the built in trackpad, plus originally 360 controllers but now 8BitDo Ultimate controllers. Plus I use it for homelab tinkering.
coriza@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Did you get streaming services to stream 4k? That was some bullshit I discovered when I bought my first 4k TV, that streaming services artificially limit quality for browser and Linux streaming.
What is you solution for remote controlling? I used one of this mini keyboard+mouse combo in a shape of controller, but mine was really trash. Most of the time I used a good mouse that worked ok on the couch surface and some mouse binds to pop up a virtual keyboard. But I was never completely happy with the solution.
Deconceptualist@leminal.space 2 weeks ago
Never tried 4K, sorry. I’ve only had a 1080p plasma TV (which recently blew a capacitor so I may have to get something else).
For control, I use an old Logitech K830 which has a trackpad right on it. It’s a good step up from the K400 series (lithium rechargeable and backlit keys) but sadly appears to be discontinued 😞
Damage@feddit.it 2 weeks ago
They’re letting us discuss this ad nauseam just to understand what prices people consider acceptable for these devices
SCmSTR@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
100%
But that’s not a terrible thing, I suppose.
DonEladio@feddit.org 2 weeks ago
Absolutely. I think 80$ for the full package seems fair.
Damage@feddit.it 2 weeks ago
Fair pricing means a reasonable profit on the base cost. Trying to gauge what people are willing to pay means that you want to maximise your profit at all costs, consumers be damned.
I understand that’s what Americans consider “fair”, but I don’t fully agree.
Goodeye8@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
I doubt it. I think they understand that the hardware market is volatile and what might cost $800 might be $1000 in a few months.
Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Anything more than $500 and we riot!
sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Get ready to riot because there’s no way it’s that cheap. My money is on $800-1000.
0_o7@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
You’ll have to deal with a cult that will defend their lord Gabe’s every move.
Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
It’s a good idea, tout the market before doing anything controversial
echodot@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
I suspect it’s because of the uncertainty over tariffs. Ironically making manufacturing in the US less appetising for businesses.
etchinghillside@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
It’s $2,400 – 6 Steam Decks – the end.
sassymov@piefed.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Where am I supposed to be able to get $3,600 to buy this?
ordnance_qf_17_pounder@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
SLPT: Drug dealing. You can make a lot of money in a short amount of time
rtxn@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
You have two kidneys, don’t you?
CaptDust@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Sell your csgo skins
arsCynic@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
Fair prices are fair, the existence of billionaires is not. Tax Gabe Newell and the rest of 'em too.
Regrettable_incident@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Didn’t he buy a massive yacht on the same day steam announced these products? It can’t be easy to sneak a superyacht under the publicity radar, but he seems to have pretty much managed it.
cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
I think he’s earned it. I will accept. 😅.
He’s one rich guy I feel isn’t a piece of shit and has good ideas.
themachinestops@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
Nibodhika@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Facts people forget:
- Assembling your own Steam Machine with similar parts will cost around 800
- Even if you assembled it yourself you would be missing features, such as cec, wake by controller, sleep mid game, etc. LTT will try to build one, it will be interesting to see what they come up with, but I’m 90% it won’t have feature parity.
- There’s lots of engineering gone into this machine, they’re way more compact, less power hungry and more quiet than anything you can build yourself.
- Buying the same build as a prebuilt brings a premium and costs around 1000
- Valve purchases stuff in scale so they can diminish their margin and could potentially sell it cheaper than prebuilts, and possibly cheaper than building it yourself.
- Consoles are sold at a loss, and they recover it with games because the platform is closed.
- The Steam Machine is not closed, they can’t be sure they’re getting game purchases, because people might be buying this to be their work computer. So they have to price it as a PC, with margin on hardware, not promise of future returns.
- Price might fluctuate between now and announcement, RAM prices are going crazy nowadays.
With all of that being said, it seems to me it’s very likely it will be around 800 but less than 1000. For people saying you can build one for that price yourself, sure, go ahead, you’ll have a huge, power hungry loud box, without the same features and you would have saved only a small fraction of the value by having to assemble everything yourself.
coriza@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Also people who like to DIY seem to forget that a lot of people want a turn-key solution, I even dare to say that most people prefer a ready made solution. Even a lot of people who work in tech when they get home want a just work solution.
ours@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
And a lot of the prebuilts have a ton of cut corners. A well put-together machine that people can trust to play their games at a base performance could be great for those who don’t want or can’t DIY.
notgivingmynametoamachine@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Nail On The Head.
I work in tech. I also have terrible dexterity. While I love my gaming PC, I dread upgrades or things going wrong. I hate applying thermal paste, replacing a motherboard, etc. I’d gladly pay “prebuilt” prices for something from a company I can “trust” (as far as corporations can be trusted).
Nibodhika@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yup, I love DIY, had tons of fun building my wife’s mini-itx gaming rig, my NAS and even my desktop (although it was the boring one of the three since it’s just standard). I love poking on my system, trying out stuff, etc. But I bought a Deck and my only mod was getting EmuDeck in it, it just works for what I want it to, and that’s worth a lot to me, it allows me to pour my time on stuff I want to be building and just game on my gaming boxes.
ameancow@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
A thousand dollars seems fantastically reasonable for a well-engineered home-gaming machine. I spend that much every several years on upgrading or building a new PC.
My complaint is not the price, I think the price is fair. Let’s talk wages.
Ricaz@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
LTT will try to build one
Time for another video of Linus failing to follow basic instructions and going out of his way to break the OS because Linux gaming bad
Nibodhika@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yeah, but to be fair that was a shitty thing the system did, anyone with experience would know not to do it, but honestly it should have never happened. On the other hand, Linus is a bit daft and lots of stuff blows over his head monumentally, in the same video where he said he would be building a Steam Machine he also couldn’t seem to grasp that this is just a computer and people would see it as a prevuilt. In short I don’t think he will acknowledge lots of the killer features in the Steam Machine just so he can claim his thing does the same. But at least it will be an interesting watch.
Nalivai@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
failing to follow basic instructions and going out of his way to break the OS
Otherwise known as a typical behaviour of majority of users
IzzyJ@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
They could totally make money selling it at a loss. The reason so many people care is that there’s an opening in the console market for an affordable option
stevedice@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
Assembling your own Steam Machine with similar parts will cost around 800
No, it won’t. $800 will get you a machine that’s around 50% faster. Controller included.
Even if you assembled it yourself you would be missing features, such as cec, wake by controller, sleep mid game, etc. LTT will try to build one, it will be interesting to see what they come up with, but I’m 90% it won’t have feature parity.
Fair enough.
There’s lots of engineering gone into this machine, they’re way more compact, less power hungry and more quiet than anything you can build yourself.
It’s literally a laptop CPU with a laptop GPU.
Buying the same build as a prebuilt brings a premium and costs around 1000
Also not true. A 1k prebuilt is around 70% faster. Controller not included, though.
Valve purchases stuff in scale so they can diminish their margin and could potentially sell it cheaper than prebuilts, and possibly cheaper than building it yourself.
Sure, but that’s an argument in favour of it costing less.
Consoles are sold at a loss, and they recover it with games because the platform is closed.
Yeah, and the best selling console of the generation is $450 for the digital-only version.
The Steam Machine is not closed, they can’t be sure they’re getting game purchases, because people might be buying this to be their work computer. So they have to price it as a PC, with margin on hardware, not promise of future returns.
Stop this delusion. If this was an actual possibility, it would already be happening with the Steam Deck. Yes, I know you know someone who did it. I know someone who bought a Surface to put Linux on it. There’s dozens of us!
Price might fluctuate between now and announcement, RAM prices are going crazy nowadays.
That I see happening. RAM/storage might triple in price tomorrow which would push the price of the whole industry up.
Burninator05@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
…LTT will try to build one…
Jay already tried. It was bigger, didn’t have the custom OS, and cost $1700. He could have done better except he was part limited to what rhe Microcenter he was at had on hand. Doing a bunch or research and getting different parts would probably bring down the price.
Credibly_Human@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Buying the same build as a prebuilt brings a premium and costs around 1000
For 1k you can get a 9600 9060XT 16gb system, which is waaaaaay more powerful, so this is quite an exaggeration.
jj4211@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Consoles are sold at a loss, and they recover it with games because the platform is closed.
Sometimes, but evidently not currently. Sources seem to indicate that only Microsoft seems to say they are selling at a loss, though it seems odd since their bill of materials looks like it should be pretty comparable to PS5…
I’ll agree with the guess of around $800, but like you say, the supply pressure on RAM and storage as well as the tariff situation all over the place, hard to say.
lorty@lemmy.ml 2 weeks ago
I hope they release the price soon, the discourse on this has become incredibly tiring.
chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I know speculation is fun, but until we know the price officially, all of this is moot. Wait until next year when they announce actual pricing and judge it then for its value.
I, personally, don’t think it’ll be a successful product if it isn’t less than $800. They don’t have to have it cost console prices, but it does need to be at least somewhat within spitting distance. If the price is the cost of an Xbox or Playstation plus, say…a year of their online service subscription, I think that could be marketable.
If it’s closer to a grand, it’ll be a flop like the first Steam Machines.
artyom@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
The worst thing about the hardware unveiling is the endless posts about pricing 😮💨
TwitchingCheese@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The discourse around this confuses the fuck out of me. Did people actually expect this to be <$500?
gustofwind@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Remember, an Xbox series X now costs $600 for digital edition ($800 for 2tb + disk drive)
Reygle@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Is PC
Shock and awe when told it MAY cost similar to a PC
Lembot_0005@lemy.lol 2 weeks ago
Why would anyone want it then? Just install Steam on your machine and use it…
samus12345@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
A PS5 Pro, which is more powerful, is $750. If it’s not below that it’s too damn much.
Strawberry@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
If they subsidized it, wouldn’t that risk businesses buying it as a cheap-for-its-specs option for their office computers? It’s not locked to being a gaming machine like consoles. You can just install windows on it.
mereo@piefed.ca 2 weeks ago
Think about it this way, people. Yes, it may be more expensive than a PlayStation. However, Steam offers numerous deals several times a year, so it will be worth the investment. In the long run, owning a Steam Machine or PC will pay for itself.
Unfortunately, due to the craze of AI server farms, PC parts are becoming more expensive. For example, the price of RAM has doubled, and analysts say that SSDs will suffer the same fate.
Sunsofold@lemmings.world 2 weeks ago
Not a number. Not interesting.
kandoh@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Prediction:
$999.99
Eyck_of_denesle@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
I find it amusing how much there is discussion around the price of this when it only ships to like 1/4th of the world. If it would be available in stores like nintendo, I doubt people there would be much issue regarding high price.
Knightfox@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
This is going to come off as shilling for Valve, but it isn’t my intention.
I could entirely see Valve pricing the Steam Machine relatively affordably and this statement is ultimately a dig at how overpriced pre-built PCs and consoles can be.
“The Steam Machine outperforms 70% of current user PCs…we neglected to say that the majority of user PCs are overpriced for what they deliver.”
HeyJoe@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Quick question, can you buy a pc and run the same OS and version of steam that this pc they built uses? Im assuming its the same as steam deck. Just wondering if you could build it exactly the same outside just installing steam.
BryceBassitt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
Ofcourse it will. Anyone expecting any less are just optimists
ekZepp@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Thanks all the same Valve for 900 or more, you can keep it. We’re good. 👍
ABetterTomorrow@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
$500 or bust
Gammelfisch@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Do I want to spend my money for a billionaire floating around in a massive yacht? We’ll see and yes, I’m a Steam user.
bagbrugsen@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Maybe we will all benefit if the 14 year old kids gets a steam machine, instead of some cheap pos with loads of errors, slowness etc = extra rage in games.
Draedron@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 weeks ago
The price really seems way too high if they are this scared to put out a number
Master167@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Over, under
$500 USD?
cdnwaffleiron@lemmy.ca 2 weeks ago
Think i’ll just plug my existing gaming laptop into my TV and save my money thx…
flamiera@kbin.melroy.org 2 weeks ago
Sorry Valve, but you are delusional here. This is going to bite you in the ass like Artifact did.
I don't see the angle of the argument where people are saying that Valve is just going to eat the loss per sale of this machine. My question is - why bother? Because they're going to just bank on the goodwill built up with the Steam userbase and rely on them to buy games to make up the losses, which by the way the prices on even Steam's holiday sales have been quite underwhelming these past few years. So I don't get why they would bank on that when it is again underwhelming.
The freaking device is 40% fan, lol.
1Fuji2Taka3Nasubi@piefed.zip 2 weeks ago
I went to PCPartPicker and tried to assemble a similarly spec’d PC, not with the absolute cheapest components, but definitely from the lower end sorted by price, it came out close to $800.
I guess if Valve can price it at that and be smaller it might have a market, but if much more than that people are better off just buying a PC.
simple@piefed.social 2 weeks ago
2x8 GB RAM for 130 dollars? What the fuck? I knew theyve gotten more expensive recently but that stings.
jogaklaa@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
PCPartPicker has a general price tracker where you can see how much RAM has spiked in such a short time. It really emphasizes how crazy things have gotten
iAmTheTot@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
“more expensive” really is underselling it. It’s out of control. Some kits have tripled.
CMLVI@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Brother it’s so bad. I’ve been trying to help a friend do one recently, or at least plan it, and I’ve watched my previously $85 2x16 sticks of GSkill DDR5 (like the cheapest option I had) shoot up to like $260 in under a month has been insane. It’s not even good ram…
SalamenceFury@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
Yeah, the AI (manufactured) hype has caused RAM prices to skyrocket thanks to them buying out ALL the fucking RAM for those servers.
ThePantser@sh.itjust.works 2 weeks ago
www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hLiwNViMak
TwitchingCheese@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
The 2x48GB kit I bought in August for $300 is currently going for $1175, and it’s likely not getting better any time soon.
MrLLM@ani.social 2 weeks ago
That’s almost the Apple fee
Gigasser@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
My guess is that maybe Valve was able to get a bunch of RAM before the price hikes.
de_lancre@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
I just checked how much my 4x32gb costs. Guys, I’m focking rich
But_my_mom_says_im_cool@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
It would cost me about a grand to make a pc that still not up to par with a ps5 where I live.
Minnels@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
“better off just buying a PC”.
It is a PC.
oce@jlai.lu 2 weeks ago
Many people don’t want to get involved with PC building and just want something as convenient as a console to play their Steam games with good performance on a big screen. This can be priced quite above what a nerd would be able to build by himself with PCPartPicker.
EldritchFeminity@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 weeks ago
I’ve seen estimates put the materials cost somewhere around the $425 - 500 USD range because of the specific, semi-custom hardware that they’re using. It’s also good to note that Valve will be able to get a better deal than any of us will because they can get bulk discounts and aren’t buying each part at a market rate profit from retail vendors.
Some people seem to be of the mind that it will be somewhere around the $500 - 800 USD range if tariffs and the RAM situation don’t screw with the price, and that it will probably price out the Xbox with Microsoft’s 30% profit demand and be slightly more expensive than the PS5 while having comparable but not quite as much power.
someguy3@lemmy.world 2 weeks ago
YouTube channel Moore’s law is dead priced it out at $425 including controller.
teawrecks@sopuli.xyz 2 weeks ago
Smaller makes it more expensive. I hope it’ll be under $1000, but I think I wouldn’t be surprised if it were $1200.