[Bobboau]

http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/04/steam-machine-orders-start-today/

[Ulala]

The controller and Link intrigue me, but I'm not sure I want to drop $100 ($50 each) before seeing some in depth reviews.

As for a Steam Machine itself, my gaming rig is sufficient, but I can see the appeal to hopefully compete with Xbone/PS4. It may even force MS/Sony to allow for mods to some games on their consoles.

[Klaustrophobia]

I don't get the point of the steam machines.  Aren't they just normal computers with steam's brand thrown on and a gaming-limited OS?  What is supposed to be the advantage of these?

[pecenipicek]

I don't get the point of the steam machines.  Aren't they just normal computers with steam's brand thrown on and a gaming-limited OS?  What is supposed to be the advantage of these?

its for the console peasants basically


also, valve's way of cashing in to the whole console market... if you got a decent pc, yeah, they are ****. also, i'm fairly certain you can build fair bit more decent machines at the price points than what they pack in, but hey, if you can do that, why bother with a steam machine in the first place?

also, if it gets better overall linux support for games and more games on linux, i'm all for them

[Scourge of Ages]

I don't get the point of the steam machines.  Aren't they just normal computers with steam's brand thrown on and a gaming-limited OS?  What is supposed to be the advantage of these?

As far as I know, it's supposed to be a more standardized hardware system, that should work together better than a work computer or amateur custom machine. And as far as I know, Steam OS is optimized for gaming, but it's not limited to it. And ideally, it's supposed to be slightly cheaper than most other similar systems, theoretically at least.

It's to offer comparable performance and form-factor to a PS4 or XBONE but for PC games. If you already have such a PC or don't need another one, no problemo.

[karajorma]

I wonder what's to stop enterprising users opening it up and upgrading it, thereby destroying the standardised spec?

[BirdofPrey]

I thought that was half the point.