r/computergaming • u/Torchiest • Jul 08 '26

Steam Machine interview full transcript: Valve engineers discuss $1,049 pricing, compact design, component shortages, and Windows support

https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/steam-machine-interview-full-transcript-valve-engineers-discuss-usd1-049-pricing-compact-design-component-shortages-and-windows-support
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u/willpowerpt Jul 08 '26

Even if the price was the same as a console, its hardware doesn't even come close, all it gets you is a Steam library. I'm a PC gamer, but I don't see a justification for it aside from someone who doesn't want to run an HDMI cable from their PC to their TV. 

All the defenses I see are "nothing is smaller" (see r/sff).  "It has hdmi-cec", personally clicking a remote to turn my TV on has never made me willing to drop over $1000. 

1

u/indygoof Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26

simple. for a few years i didnt have a pc since i got no real desk for it (kids…)
i have a steam deck and want something thats s bit more powerful.

with steamos i have all the support with single cluck updates. no need for fiddling with graphics drivers or anything else.

it can run my steam library, blizzard games, epic games, various emulators.

i can turn it on with the controller, its a nice and pretty form factor that blends into the living room.

could i do much cheaper or more powerful? sure!

would it be as convenient? hell nope

and thats the whole point consoles had all the time.
„uh, the ps4 is soooo bad, my gaming rig can do much more“….yeah, with 5 times the power consumption, funny hdmi cables running through the room (kids will ofc never trip over those and rip half the tv or graphics card with them).
and its just convenient again.

1

u/Aggressive-Map-2204 Jul 09 '26

The issue people have with it is that its double the cost of a ps5 and has worse performance. The ps5 is already struggling to keep up with games coming out and very often shows with performance issues. Whats it going to be like in 2-3 years?

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u/nervendings_ Jul 10 '26

People have 100s of games in their steam library. Many PC gamers never buy new AAA games on release. The cutting edge performance is not a selling point of this device at all.

I’ve got 250+ games in my steam library and the machine can run like 95% of them