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Bolt II: Digital Storm's dual-booting Steam Machine, starting from $1899
- Thread starter ashecitism
- Start date
Despite steamOS being free, manufacturers need to licence their product for it to be branded as an official Steam Machine, and I imagine that would be to prevent the concept "going under".
But this doesn't stop other from confusing many a consumer, case and point, the xi3 piston - not a Steam Machine, but happy to ride the wave. Also their is the Pixxl Jetpack - carefully avoids using the term Steam Machine but markets itself as optimised for steamOS, yet reporters are out there claiming it is a Steam Machine.
It can only be hoped that clarifications are made onwards from the CES Jan 6th event
U n i o n 0015
Member
That's a pretty narrow target. And if you are in that target, are you going to be really happy with the $300-500 machine when you know when there's a better rig out there?
I'm finding it hard to see the success in this Steambox concept. When it was rumors and there were like 2-3 configurations, I thought that was amazing. But this just sounds like a bunch of pre-configured PCs, with GUI convenience being the only real advantage over going out and buying a PC off the shelf.
It was always gonna be this, not sure why this just came to you now.
iBuyPower's $500 Steam Machine has very aggressive specs for its price and would easily be enough for that target group.
U n i o n 0015
Member
It was my understanding that it was a bit more like a walled garden approach, I could be wrong. I don't think the hardware environment should be completely unlimited, i.e. components should be certified by Valve. Right now it's just a free-for-all. I think this is because Valve is trying to straddle the line between pleasing the hardcore PC guys and trying to woo the console gamers, but you can't tiptoe into a market...you have to disrupt it. *shrugs*
I would think just having SteamOS on as many devices as possible is the way to succes for Valve keep it in the minds of people, i don't see them being capable of managing all of the hardware configurations themselves and signing off on it, they ain't that big.
BattleMonkey
Member
Digital Storm make quality stuff, but their prices are always outrageous.
because people fundamentally do not understand the advantages of an open-spec platform that allows sideloading and mods
if all you know is consoles then PCs look insane and unworkable
Its very much the opposite of the walled garden approach. As far as my understanding of it goes. The guys building their own systems may come to find compatibility issues but these will be worked on over time. The retail steam machines on the other hand, are licensed and sold. By this token, all the components within will be certified and likely will work as a console - no software, driver issues or firmware issues with any components.
Steam machines are readily upgradeable, which would then lead to a series of questions about how stable the machine would become.
Generally speaking, the vast number of issues that occur with PC gaming are at the OS level. As Valve have worked closely with the key hardware vendors for the past few years on this project and the OS is not having to support so many previous and conflicting legacy versions of itself, many issues should be avoided provided a much more stable experience than Windows.
We'll have to wait and see how the evolution of the OS over time effects compatibility though
Because no one cares enough to read the source material unless it is PS4 or Xbox One related.
Someone once told me GAF was really just a console forum. They're pretty much right
Edit: and Valve are as usual rather slow with their information giving
Can you explain why Steam machines become a laughingstock because there is a wide selection of models for different needs (and budgets) available? Are cell phones or cars a laughingstock?
jim-jam bongs
Member
Fragmentation is bad, that's why iOS sells better than Android.
MutonCommander
Banned
What is it about the availability of options that has some users so scared? Because sometimes it just seems like a bad case of Stockholm Syndrome.
No it doesn't. Either in terms of hardware or software Andorid has finally eclipsed iOS and it is unlikely iOS can compete because iPhones aren't a mass market tool.
What iOS does better monetarily speaking is have customers who are more willing to spend more money than Android users.
Since the guys you are responding to were talking about the proliferation of Steam hardware that bit of truth is irrelevant.
That's jim-jam's point
jim-jam bongs
Member
Felix Lighter
Member
It's interesting because the concept seems quite simple to me. These are absolutely pre-built gaming/streaming PC that come with a Steam pad and have SteamOS pre-installed. That is it. That's about the extent of the restrictions. After that, it's up to manufacturers to come up with boxes that target the markets that they are aiming for. This means high/med/low end options BUT even if the manufacturers were stupidly targeting a single spec for an open hardware platform, these high/med/low end options would still exist for those willing to build.
I'm baffled by the reaction to the existence of these high end expensive machines. As if the lower end machines would suddenly become better if Digital Storm didn't piece together this particular collection of components and sell the package.
MutonCommander
Banned
It's just so weird, and a little annoying, that every thread about the Steam Machines ends up being about how some gaffers "don't understand what the point is" and everyone else explaining it to them. How many times does the same question have to be answered?
ashecitism
Member
Yeah, a lot of people are approaching this with a console mindset. Which includes how they expect messaging to go down. Look at the announcements, it was basically paragraphs of text and none of those included why you should "buy" the products or why they're the ultimate products, in fact in the FAQs it was like "hey, you're not interested and would like to continue with your prefered methods? It's cool, go ahead." :lol But people didn't bother to read them or it didn't register with them. It was the most evident during the controller reveal, which was the most detailed announcement of the 3, addressing what their goal was, how they wanted to do it and why they chose that particular solution, but people were busy laughing about its look.
It also doesn't help that the press likes to fuel the fire with hype and sensationalist titles. I definitely recall some titles "How Valve tries to make consoles obsolete", "Look at how Valve will challenge the consoles" or something like these, yet in the article Coomer and co detailed how they don't want to compete with them, but for now want to give options to their existing userbase.
It really is annoying and leads to no proper discussion.
It also doesn't help that the press likes to fuel the fire with hype and sensationalist titles. I definitely recall some titles "How Valve tries to make consoles obsolete", "Look at how Valve will challenge the consoles" or something like these, yet in the article Coomer and co detailed how they don't want to compete with them, but for now want to give options to their existing userbase.
It really is annoying and leads to no proper discussion.
jim-jam bongs
Member
How long is a piece of string?
How tall is a duck?
How powerful is a Steam Machine?
ashecitism
Member
Well, here it is. A "tad" more than $1500 though, lol:
kotaku.com/the-first-liquid-cooled-steam-machine-1495534239
kotaku.com/the-first-liquid-cooled-steam-machine-1495534239
.
I still don't know if thats the same machine or if it is going to be a build to order machine or if there are multiple models. But yeah, they must know they are only appealing to a minority there
Fried Food
Banned
I just don't believe in the steambox thing as a viable concept.
The vast majority of it's target market will build a computer ass computer. Who do they expected to buy these $1000+ steamboxes?
The vast majority of it's target market will build a computer ass computer. Who do they expected to buy these $1000+ steamboxes?
jim-jam bongs
Member
People with more money than brains. Thankfully the $499 models exist and are great value for money, so the average consumer shouldn't get screwed.
A lot of people who are able to earn so much money aren't brainless. Stop hating on people who want to spend their time doing other things besides tinkering.
jim-jam bongs
Member
I earn enough to buy one of these without hesitation, so I know from the fact that I won't be buying one that us rich folks aren't all stupid. It's pretty easy to find a system builder to put together a Steam machine for you for less, no tinkering needed at all.
But okay. Maybe I was too harsh. People with more money than commonsense is probably apt.
These companies exist because people do buy them, just not in massive amounts. The machines that sell receive more support and increased volume, the machines that don't have reduced volume. "A multiple choice answer to a multiple choice question". If one company fails to deliver a product any consumers like there will be several others to capitalise on that. It is likely that these machines at $1000 only appeal to a small amount of people whilst the >$499 will appeal to a wider audience
Freshmaker
I am Korean.
True. All PC gamers build their own systems.
ashecitism
Member
Verge put up an article too:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/6/52...-its-first-steam-machine-a-hybrid-windows-and
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/6/52...-its-first-steam-machine-a-hybrid-windows-and
Interfectum
Member
It's why they are calling it a hybrid... it's barely a Steam Machine at this point. Doesn't come with the OS or controller.
Rogue_Ledr
Banned
I keep waiting for someone to make a "middle ground" system for like 1000-1200 bucks.
That is a good price point, for a gaming PC.
2500 is ridiculous and 500 is just too cheap to give quality specs.
That is a good price point, for a gaming PC.
2500 is ridiculous and 500 is just too cheap to give quality specs.
I'd agree. The whole point should be that it is ready to go. If they intend to sell it like they say but then have everything bundled together on the official Steam Machines rollout date (if there is one) it's certainly going to cause confusion
This machine with "just" SteamOS(linux) would be a quite games catalog limited, most games are indie titles and only few relatively heavy hitters (DOTA, Source engine games). But no NHL, FIFA, Assassin's Creed, Battlefield, CoD type of games available. It remains to be seen when Ubisoft and EA bring big titles to Linux platform. I'm am not sure about a car simulation games on Linux with force feedback racing wheels. Thats a genre I like a lot in WinPC and PS3 machines.
ashecitism
Member
Well in the worst case scenario, once Valve releases the CAD files for the casing anyone could build their prototype which costs around $1300.
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Steam+Machine+Teardown/20473
emiranda061288
Banned
they are charging a lot to put together this.
Rogue_Ledr
Banned
Just out of curiosity, what kind of specs did that $1300 system have?
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
I've been pc gaming since I was a kid, and I don't see a point to steam machines. Esp when you see the prices and a 1,499+ hybrid showing up.
ashecitism
Member
Doc Holliday
SPOILER: Columbus finds America
Goes both ways, usually you can't discuss graphics in a thread without someone saying
"Just get a pc"
"LOL 1080p 30 fps"
just keep building your own then, that makes a lot more sense for you and me and lots of people
steam machines aren't for us
jim-jam bongs
Member
There's a middle ground you're missing though, if you actually have been playing games on PC other than Minesweeper and Solitaire since childhood then I'd expect that you know how to build your own machine. However, people like that guy who bought two laptops because he thought that he could SLI them for BF3 aren't in that position so would benefit from being able to buy a gaming PC which eliminates much of the complexity involved in picking parts and navigating the OS to install software and drivers.
And the high-priced machines are not the only Steam machines which exist, that's the whole point of the platform.
Oh I see, you're one of them.
Indeed, downers on all sides. My opinion, different things for different people, whether its niche, popular or in between, as long as people are having fun, they are getting their monies worth regardless
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