Everything You Need to Know About Steam Machines

What They Are and What Do They Do

Back in Sept. 2013, Steam announced its plans for a whole new type of gaming console, one that would reign supreme and blur the lines between home consoles and gaming PCs. Even though Steam Machines have been talked about for two and a half years, many people don’t know much about the little PC/ console hybrids. So let’s give you the run-down.

Steam Machines are PCs in tiny console form. They run on something called Steam OS, a Linux-based operating system that allows gamers to play PC games in their living room. The main purpose of the machines is to run Steam and play games that you buy from the Steam Store. However, the Steam OS allows you to install new software or content whenever you want as long as it runs on Linux.

Valve itself does note however, that Steam OS shouldn’t be something you replace your current PCs operating system with. The OS was built from the ground up for a living room experience and that’s exactly what the Steam Machines are for. Rather than moving your big desktop PC down into your living room to play a game when friends, Steam Machines are supposed to be the convenient way to play PC games anywhere your house. They also came with a Steam controller to save you from having to rest your keyboard and mouse somewhere on the sofa.

Are They All the Same?

While Steam Machines all run on the same operating system, they come in all different shapes, sizes and component models. Each of the PC manufacturers who still have Steam Machines for sale has given their systems a design that resembles their existing line of gaming PCs. Alienware’s for example has a futuristic design with the typical Alien head logo associated with its products.

Aesthetics aren’t where the main differences lie, though. Each Steam Machine, even if it’s come from the same manufacturer, will have different specifications and internal components. Valve wanted Steam Machines available to appeal to everyone, regardless of how much they wanted to spend on the system. However, in doing so, they made Steam Machines kinda complicated for a gift-buyer or someone who isn’t all the clued up on PC components.

We’ve explained this a little later on, but generally you’ll find that the more affordable systems will play indie games just fine, and maybe some older triple A titles. However, the high-priced Steam Machines will be able to run the most recent titles without as much of a hiccup. What you end up buying will depend entirely on what you want out of your system and whether or not it’s going to be your main system for gaming.

Where Can You Buy One?

Steam Machines were supposed to be available from a lot of gaming PC manufacturers. Unfortunately, only a few manufacturers are still making the living room consoles. You can check out the full list of Steam Machines on on the Steam website, here.

The links on that page will take you to the manufacturers website. Cyberpower PC also has some available for a variety of different prices depending on the configuration you’re going for. The main manufacturers that still seem to be selling the Steam Machines are Alienware, Zotac, Scan, and the previously mentioned Cyberpower PC. It must be noted though that Scan is a UK based company and so, as of the time of writing, only offers delivery in the UK. All of the other main manufacturers of Steam Machines ship to the US.

How Much Do They Cost?

The price of your Steam Machine will depend on which one you get. As mentioned before, each Steam Machine is completely different, even two from the same manufacturer. This is where part of the confusion surrounding these little machines came into play.

Steam Machines have the same core components as a normal PC, with a processor, RAM, video card and motherboard. Therefore, there are tons of different options to choose from when it comes to each of these components. The more powerful the components, the better high-demanding games will play on your system at high graphics settings. Of course, by opting for a Steam Machine with all the power in the world, you’re going to find yourself with a higher price point.

In general, prices for Steam Machines range from the more affordable $499 to the extravagant $1559. Naturally, which one you buy depends entirely on how much you’re going to use it and what kind of games you’re going to want to play on it.

If you’d rather have a go at building your own Steam Machine, you can actually download the Steam OS yourself, piece together a PC compatible with the operating system, and then get it to work. There are guides available on the internet that provide instructions on how to build a Steam Machine that is faster and cheaper than a PS4 or Xbox One.

Check out more

• How to Build a Gaming PC: Everything You Need to Know
• Gaming PCs: Picking the Best Parts and What They Do
• The 10 Best Gaming PCs for 2016