Discussion Steam Machine / Steam cube / GabeCube thread

[Heartbreaker]

By "officially supported" you mean that they are just going to let people install Windows on it rather than actively blocking it?
Like I can install Linux on my Dell laptop that shipped with Windows but I'd be surprised if Dell would actually offer any software support for that (not that I'd be mad enough to ask)!

Just like for Steamdeck, I expect they will provide all the Windows Drivers:

Steam Support :: Steam Deck - Windows Resources

help.steampowered.com

If the drivers are broken, I expect them to fix them.

If you have issues with Windows, I expect they would suggest you contact Microsoft.

 

[WelshBloke]

Just like for Steamdeck, I expect they will provide all the Windows Drivers:

Steam Support :: Steam Deck - Windows Resources

help.steampowered.com

"We are providing these resources as is and are unfortunately unable to offer 'Windows on Deck' support."

I'm not sure I count that as "supported"!

 

[Heartbreaker]

"We are providing these resources as is and are unfortunately unable to offer 'Windows on Deck' support."

I'm not sure I count that as "supported"!

They provide everything you need to install Windows, but they aren't going to hold your hand while you do it. That's reasonable support for an alternative OS.

It's FAR ahead of, "Not actively blocking".

"Not actively blocking" is what Apple does for Linux on Macs. That is what ZERO support looks like. No drivers, not even full documentation to help write drivers.

Valve engineers were stressing much more that this is a PC than they were for the SteamDeck, regularly mentioning you can install Windows.

 

[WelshBloke]

They provide everything you need to install Windows, but they aren't going to hold your hand while you do it. That's reasonable support for an alternative OS.

I agree that its the right level of support, I just think that "You can get your own copy of the OS and use the generic drivers that come with that OS" is pretty minimal support.

It's FAR ahead of, "Not actively blocking".

Is it? Does Dell support Linux on my laptop? It never came with Linux but you can install Linux on it and it works but that has little to do with Dell.

To me support is more than "you can do this", its we'll help you do this and help with any problems.

Valve engineers were stressing much more that this is a PC than they were for the SteamDeck, regularly mentioning you can install Windows.

It is a PC, it has PC hardware in. You could probably install FreeBSD on it as well but that doesnt mean that Valve will support you with that!

 

[Heartbreaker]

I agree that its the right level of support, I just think that "You can get your own copy of the OS and use the generic drivers that come with that OS" is pretty minimal support.

They aren't saying use the generic drivers found in windows. They provide the exact drivers you need for everything in one place.

 

[marees]

Checked right now in PC Part picker for RDNA 4 build (8gb — prob another $90 for 16gb)

$725 — 0.5 TB
$750 — 1 TB

For the 7600m I wouldn't go near it, if it is anything above $600

$550 would be good value assuming Valve has already secured good deals. Anything above $550 is a serious disappointment

$500 should be the target

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/vpQWxg

 

[Heartbreaker]

Checked right now in PC Part picker for RDNA 4 build (8gb — prob another $90 for 16gb)

$725 — 0.5 TB
$750 — 1 TB

For the 7600m I wouldn't go near it, if it is anything above $600

$550 would be good value assuming Valve has already secured good deals. Anything above $550 is a serious disappointment

$500 should be the target

$500 is a total pipe dream.

It really isn't for people that do self builds of big 50L+ desktops.

It's a sleeks sub 4L miniPC.

The only mini PCs you can get for $500 are the ones with iGPU.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Definitely NOT subsidized. They were are asked again about pricing, and are clear it will be similar a PC you build yourself and also leaned on the value adds like super quiet SFF, and HDMI-CEC.

https://videocardz.com/newz/valve-confirms-steam-machine-wont-be-subsidized

Recently Linus Tech Tips shared that they floated a potential $500 price point in front of Valve staff, the reaction reportedly suggested this figure was not realistic. Combined with reports of DRAM price increases from Samsung, the market now expects the Steam Machine to land somewhere in the $800–$900 range, without the cushion of platform subsidies that Sony and Microsoft use for PlayStation and Xbox hardware.

SkillUp: But it’s not going to be a sort of subsidized device, like, Valve is not going into this thinking we’re going to eat a big loss on this so that we can grow market share or category or anything like that, correct?

Pierre-Loup Griffais: No, it’s more in line with what you might expect from the current PC market. Obviously, our goal is for it to be a good deal at that level of performance. And then you have features that are actually really hard to build if you are making your own gaming PC from parts. Things like the small form factor, the noise level that we achieved, or lack thereof, is really impressive and we are excited that people are going to find out how quiet this thing is. But also some integration features like HDMI CEC. The Bluetooth and wireless work that we’ve done, the four antennas, the very deliberate design so that you can have a great experience with four Bluetooth controllers.

 

[marees]

Definitely NOT subsidized. They were are asked again about pricing, and are clear it will be similar a PC you build yourself and also leaned on the value adds like super quiet SFF, and HDMI-CEC.

https://videocardz.com/newz/valve-confirms-steam-machine-wont-be-subsidized

Correct. I stand corrected


Valve clarifies. This thing will not be priced like a normal desktop PC (below $700) but more like a proper SFF HTPC system ($750+)

Valve confirms Steam Machine "won’t be subsidized" - VideoCardz.com​

Valve confirms no subsidies for Steam Machine, pricing to match PC builds​

https://videocardz.com/newz/valve-confirms-steam-machine-wont-be-subsidized

Recently Linus Tech Tips shared that they floated a potential $500 price point in front of Valve staff, the reaction reportedly suggested this figure was not realistic. Combined with reports of DRAM price increases from Samsung, the market now expects the Steam Machine to land somewhere in the $800–$900 range, without the cushion of platform subsidies that Sony and Microsoft use for PlayStation and Xbox hardware.

SkillUp: But it’s not going to be a sort of subsidized device, like, Valve is not going into this thinking we’re going to eat a big loss on this so that we can grow market share or category or anything like that, correct?
Pierre-Loup Griffais: No, it’s more in line with what you might expect from the current PC market. Obviously, our goal is for it to be a good deal at that level of performance. And then you have features that are actually really hard to build if you are making your own gaming PC from parts. Things like the small form factor, the noise level that we achieved, or lack thereof, is really impressive and we are excited that people are going to find out how quiet this thing is. But also some integration features like HDMI CEC. The Bluetooth and wireless work that we’ve done, the four antennas, the very deliberate design so that you can have a great experience with four Bluetooth controllers.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

RAM and storage prices keep rising. GPUs are expected to follow soon. By the time it is available for purchase the price for a unique little prebuilt SFF like it , may be attractive.

The proprietary radio for Steam controllers, along with the puck, are neat features. That may entice some shoppers. I think some are going to be surprised how many will accept a markup for the Steam branding too.

That crappy micro-ATX build posted, with the Rosewill case and IED PSU. It sucks hard. Also, huge by comparison. Which is why the DIY build should be as close as possible in footprint for a worthwhile comparison.

 

[Heartbreaker]

That crappy micro-ATX build posted, with the Rosewill case and IED PSU. It sucks hard. Also, huge by comparison. Which is why the DIY build should be as close as possible in footprint for a worthwhile comparison.

I was just thinking along those lines. PC builders are pointing out they can do better bang/buck building themselves, using the cheapest support part in every list.

But what experienced PC builder just uses the cheapest everything? Even on a budget build?

The first thing I do is get a nice PSU that will handle any upgrade I might consider in the future. My i5-12400/RTX 4070 is running on an overkill Corsair RM850x PSU. I don't think I can even make it spin it's cooling fan. Cash was/is tight for me, but I'm never going to buy a sketchy PSU to save a buck. I'll delay a build before I do that.

For motherboards, I have a minimum I/O feature set in mind, and I want to see it reviewed to make sure VRMs can easily handle more power hungry CPU upgrade. Never in my life did I just buy the cheapest MB available. Every MB I used was researched.

If I wanted to actually build a nice SFF PC of equivalent performance, it would probably cost me $900 USD+. Naturally I would spend even more to upgrade to a 16GB 9060 at that point, so I really wouldn't build the equivalent. But the point remains, I'm not going to use the bottom of every list, and few builders would.

I think even around $700 they will have plenty of takers because its a VERY nice MiniPC.

Just like Valve, we can't predict what will be happening to RAM/Storage pricing and tariffs closer to shipping, but every product will face those pressures.

So lets just pretend it were dropping today for $700. Many will grumble it's too expensive because they could bargain bin dive and build cheaper, but many others will buy it because it's VERY nice product.

Valve is not really trying to kill consoles, there are under ZERO pressure to sell 50 million Steam Machines. Valve has a near monopoly on PC gaming.

Valve is NOT a public company, they don't have to worry about short term anything. Valve is playing the Long Game. They just want to keep growing SteamOS as an alternative to whatever nonsense MS is doing with Windows.

What were a few million Steam Decks against the Billion Steam users? Statistical noise.

But they were enough to encourage others into the space. That's all they really need from Steam Machine a little nudge to get more competing Steam Machines built, and arguably it's even easier because it can be 100% off the shelf components, so another little nudge for SteamOS.

 

[MoragaBlue]

What surprised me most was Steam intimating 70% of their some 140 million user base had PC specs inferior to the Steam Machine. This was remarkable to me, because what are these guys playing their games on? Laptops with integrated graphics?

Also, there appears to be some gamers who are buying games during Steam sales preparing for the day they'll pick up their gaming PC. Perhaps, this would be a viable solution for them.

From my own self interests perspective, I'd love $500, but what I think doesn't matter. I just think if the Steam Machine could accelerate the growth of gaming MAUs, it would be a net plus, in my view.

 

[WelshBloke]

RAM and storage prices keep rising. GPUs are expected to follow soon. By the time it is available for purchase the price for a unique little prebuilt SFF like it , may be attractive.

The proprietary radio for Steam controllers, along with the puck, are neat features. That may entice some shoppers. I think some are going to be surprised how many will accept a markup for the Steam branding too.

That crappy micro-ATX build posted, with the Rosewill case and IED PSU. It sucks hard. Also, huge by comparison. Which is why the DIY build should be as close as possible in footprint for a worthwhile comparison.

It's a really neat hardware form factor. Id never build anything like that myself though as it looks like a complete nightmare to do any work on, it's incredibly dense. There's plenty of living room friendly, under the TV cases that are not as compact but better for DIY builds!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

It's a really neat hardware form factor. Id never build anything like that myself though as it looks like a complete nightmare to do any work on, it's incredibly dense.

After working inside of so many laptops and all-in-ones everything else is gravy.

 

[WelshBloke]

After working inside of so many laptops and all-in-ones everything else is gravy.

I don't mind a laptop as it's mostly all laid out when you crack it open.
The worst are phones! I have a pixel I'm sure I could fix (screen has stopped working after a drop, I think that a connection has come loose) but I can't face cracking it open!

Tbh though I guess that there won't be a lot fixable in the GabeCube.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Injecting a little humor into the discussion

 

[marees]

Injecting a little humor into the discussion

When you invent nuclear fusion but realize you still need steam to convert it to electrical energy !!!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

When you invent nuclear fusion but realize you still need steam to convert it to electrical energy !!!

Who needs steam?

 

[WelshBloke]

TBH they should have called it the Steam Engine!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Gabecube is perfect. 1 letter off of GameCube. Honors da big boss. Can have Borg Cube panels printed for it. PC gamers will be assimilated.

 

[Heartbreaker]

TBH they should have called it the Steam Engine!

Good name for a Steam Punk build running SteamOS.

 

[NTMBK]

Gabecube is perfect. 1 letter off of GameCube. Honors da big boss. Can have Borg Cube panels printed for it. PC gamers will be assimilated.

Just need to price it like the GameCube too, £130 at launch plz

 

[marees]

Black Friday benchmark is $550

That is $150 cheaper than Steam Cube's price, I am afraid

https://twitter.com/x/status/1994198274467655917

 

[MoragaBlue]

Black Friday benchmark is $550

That is $150 cheaper than Steam Cube's price, I am afraid

https://twitter.com/x/status/1994198274467655917

Yeah, unless one has invested into the Steam ecosystem, and even then, it just doesn't make a whole lot of sense to pay significantly more for the Gabecube than a comparable gaming laptop. Sure, gaming on the TV is a nice option to have, but with a laptop and long enough HDMI, I suppose one could put up with the hassle. Maybe, I'd pay $100 more for convenience? Not any more though.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Black Friday benchmark is $550

That is $150 cheaper than Steam Cube's price, I am afraid

It doesn't seem very reasonable to compare a Black Friday price to a regular price.