My Steam Machine Review: Why It’s a Game-Changer
▼ Summary
– Valve’s new Steam Machine is a desktop computer designed for entertainment centers, not a portable device like the Steam Deck.
– The Steam Machine could appeal to users wanting a more powerful, TV-connected version of the Steam Deck experience.
– For tinkerers and those tired of adapting Windows for TV gaming, the Steam Machine’s concept is already achievable with SteamOS on generic PCs.
– The author built a compact TV PC in 2018 using an AMD Ryzen 5 2400G processor in a small InWin Chopin case.
– This setup provided adequate performance for older and indie games, plus utility for web streaming and video calls during the pandemic.
For those seeking a powerful, console-like gaming experience directly on their television, Valve’s Steam Machine represents a significant evolution in living room PC gaming. This desktop unit, distinct from the portable Steam Deck, is clearly designed to occupy the space traditionally reserved for an Xbox or PlayStation 5. Its potential to succeed hinges on delivering a streamlined, plug-and-play version of the Steam Deck’s ecosystem to the big screen.
The concept is compelling because, in many ways, it’s already a reality. For months, I’ve been running a prototype of this very idea beneath my own TV. Since May, when Valve enabled the installation of its SteamOS on specific off-the-shelf PC components, I’ve experienced the future the official hardware promises. The final product’s success will largely depend on its price point, but for gamers who desire a more potent TV-connected Steam Deck, it could be ideal. Meanwhile, for enthusiasts like myself who have grown weary of configuring Windows for miniature living room PCs, the Steam Machine’s envisioned convenience is already accessible.
My personal journey into TV-based computing began with a longstanding curiosity that finally materialized in December 2018. A receipt from Micro Center confirms I assembled a compact system for just over five hundred dollars. The heart of this build was a mini-ITX InWin Chopin case housing an AMD Ryzen 5 2400G processor. At that time, the Ryzen lineup was still relatively new, and this particular APU garnered praise for integrating a capable quad-core CPU with a surprisingly effective graphics unit.
The setup proved successful. While its graphical output couldn’t rival a dedicated console like the PlayStation 4, it handled older titles and indie games admirably. Beyond gaming, it provided a versatile, TV-connected computer for web browsing and video streaming. Its utility expanded dramatically during the pandemic, when it became the primary device for hosting large-scale Zoom calls from the comfort of the living room, a function I hadn’t originally anticipated but came to rely on heavily.
(Source: Ars Technica)
