• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Alienware Steam Machine will start from $450. Twitch Q&A today.

A

ashecitism

Member
edit2: http://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamuniverse/announcements/detail/205258472572519511
http://store.steampowered.com/hardware

edit:

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...t-wave-of-steam-machines-launch-10th-november

will ship on Nov 10, but with pre-order can get at Oct 16

--

courtesy of reSpec. At GDC they said (and the store page still says) $480 and there was no talk about the hard drive being upgraded.

reSpec Gaming said:
For those interested in the Steam Machine version, it'll come with a faster hard drive (7200 RPM over the 5400 RPM) and at a lower starting price ($449 USD instead of $549). Of course, doesn't have Windows.

(LINK: http://www.polygon.com/2015/6/4/872...achine-was-born-out-of-a-desire-to-evolve-the)
Click to expand...

"One thing we heard loud and clear was that the hard drive was a bit painful," Sutphen said. "The Steam Machine config we will be putting in customers hands will be a 7,200 RPM hard drive."

The Windows-based Alpha shipped with a slower 5,400 RPM hard drive.

Currently the Alpha sells for $499.99 up to $849.99, depending on the specs. The Alienware Steam Machine will sell for $449 and top off at $749.
Click to expand...

Alienware will be hosting an online question and answer session today at 7 p.m. ET on Twitch to talk about its Steam Machine and answer your questions.
Click to expand...
 
Huh. That kinda sucks that it has a faster hard drive *and* it's cheaper than those who bought it just a few months ago.

Still love mine though.
 
Definitely interested. This is the one I'm grabbing assuming there's an inexorbitant model powerful enough for VR.
 
Zia said:
Definitely interested. This is the one I'm grabbing assuming there's an inexorbitant model powerful enough for VR.
Click to expand...

I don't think these will be suited for VR. The first models at least. They're all packing a modified 860m (around 750Ti I think) with 2GB VRAM.
 
This quote is quite telling as to how carefree there plans are:

"Valve's DJ Powers says he's not sure what sort of impact the launch of Steam Machines will have on PC gaming, but that Valve is paying close attention to the new systems.

"We are super curious to find out which products customers try first, what their experiences are, and how that learning can help is continue to expand their Steam experience in the days and years following launch," Powers told Polygon. "Our goal is to expand Steam's capabilities beyond the desktop.""

I'm down for the Steam Controller and Link, but that's all that's really aimed for me. I'm impressed with how well the Alpha seems to handle things for Windows. It will be interesting to see how Linux is doing by comparison and how that improves over time
 
A machine more powerful than PS4 would be a good deal for under $500

I cant help but think though that you would be better served with a PC, just using the controller (which almost every game supports) and potentially HDMI to a regular TV.
 
ashecitism said:
I don't think these will be suited for VR. The first models at least. They're all packing a modified 860m (around 750Ti I think) with 2GB VRAM.
Click to expand...

Hmm this is the problem with steam boxes, they arent subsidized by the manufacturer because they don't get a cut on game sales like sony/Microsoft and in this case Steam do.

Concept is kinda tricky to see a use case, since buying a PC gives you everything a steam box does plus a lot more.

With a big subsidy from steam, could be a success - like $399 for a box more poweful than a PS4 (with steam paying the subsidy since they will profit from the game sales).
 
After trying out the Steam Controller at PAX East this year, I'm glad I was able to snag an Alienware Alpha for around $400 a few months ago. Sure, I spent a bit more to add 4GB of RAM and add a SSD, but I think it's a better fit for me than the Steam Machine version. Not all of the games on Steam run on Linux/Steam OS yet, and the Alpha actually came with Windows.
 
cleveridea said:
Hmm this is the problem with steam boxes, they arent subsidized by the manufacturer because they don't get a cut on game sales like sony/Microsoft and in this case Steam do.

Concept is kinda tricky to see a use case, since buying a PC gives you everything a steam box does plus a lot more.

With a big subsidy from steam, could be a success - like $399 for a box more poweful than a PS4 (with steam paying the subsidy since they will profit from the game sales).
Click to expand...

I honestly don't get how people still don't understand the difference between consoles having licencing fees and steam taking a retail cut.

They are not the same thing. At all.
 
My machine is still good enough and upgrade-able to a degree at the point it's at. I think I'm good going with a controller and the Steam streaming box I forget the name of atm.
 
Kyuur said:
Not having Windows is the literal definition of a Steam Machine. It runs Steam OS.
Click to expand...
Couldn't it come with windows and Steam OS and still be called a Steam Machine?

And no I'm not being cute this is an honest question from someone curious about these machines.
 
I dont get why anyone would want the Steam version over the Windows version....if they also update the specs of it. Most will also use it as PC also so you might as well get one with a useful OS outside of games. Then again I assume it should be easy to install Windows 10 if you want.
 
Awesome news. As a huge fan of the Alpha system, I am happy to see that it is continuing on with a Linux version. I love my Alpha and am quite happy with the performance of the machine.

That said, you can usually find the Windows 8 version at the same/lower prices.
 
SliceSabre said:
Couldn't it come with windows and Steam OS and still be called a Steam Machine?

And no I'm not being cute this is an honest question from someone curious about these machines.
Click to expand...

Every Steam Machine runs SteamOS and ships with a Steam Controller, but that’s where the similarities end. Each manufacturer has chosen to optimize for your needs in their own way, so there’s something for everyone.
Click to expand...

http://store.steampowered.com/universe/machines

non-SteamOS and controller versions are just called living room PCs or whatever

Vintage said:
Won't Windows 10 be free for everyone?
Click to expand...

No.
 
Xer0 said:
Huh. That kinda sucks that it has a faster hard drive *and* it's cheaper than those who bought it just a few months ago.

Still love mine though.
Click to expand...

To be fair Alienware was very upfront that Steam Machines would be updated annually. I don't think they specifically mentioned the Alpha but one had to assume.

I guess those who buy the linux/steam os version benefit from the Alpha being on the market a year early.

Now we will see if the rumors of an upgraded gpu turn out to be true for the next round of Alphas/first run of Steam Machines.
 
I'd rather have the Windows version. Having more compatible games to play trumps a faster HDD imo.

You can also get the Windows version for that price already, if not even lower at times.
 
Sorcerer said:
To be fair Alienware was very upfront that Steam Machines would be updated annually. I don't think they specifically mentioned the Alpha but one had to assume.

I guess those who buy the linux/steam os version benefited from the Alpha being on the market a year early.

Now we will see if the rumors of an upgraded gpu turn out to be true for the next round of Alphas/Steam Machines.
Click to expand...

I didn't know they'd be updated annually. Damn.

Oh well, as I said, still having a great time with mine. Witcher 3 looked excellent on it.
 
I feel like it would have more appeal to potential buyers if they could try to get the price down to $400 baseline to be a console alternative at the same price range.
 
MrNyarlathotep said:
I honestly don't get how people still don't understand the difference between consoles having licencing fees and steam taking a retail cut.

They are not the same thing. At all.
Click to expand...

Seems like he understands perfectly well. MS and Sony charge software licensing fees, so they can afford to subsidize their hardware. Alienware does not get a piece of the software, so they can't subsidize their hardware.

Valve doesn't charge software licensing fees, but they do get a piece of most of the software via Steam, so they could probably subsidize hardware if they wanted to. They choose not to, which means Steam Machines have to be sold with margin in the hardware.
 
Interesting quote from the article regarding the Alpha:

"It was an experiment getting into that market," he said. "It gave the consumer the ability to treat PC gaming more like a console and navigate with just a controller. But it shipped with the Windows operating system."

Once the Alienware Steam Machine launches, the Alpha will become simply a desktop gaming PC, he said.

It sounds like he is a little sour on the Alpha, are they abandoning it once the Steam Machine comes out?

I thought both would co-exist simultaneously?
 
Xer0 said:
Huh. That kinda sucks that it has a faster hard drive *and* it's cheaper than those who bought it just a few months ago.

Still love mine though.
Click to expand...

It kind of makes sense to give the faster drive to people who aren't likely to upgrade their system. Because... Anyone with an Alpha now should have upgraded to a solid state or at least a hybrid drive. I think for the people who want specifically a steam machine - it's definitely a good boon for them to have at least the 7200RPM hard drive right off the hop or the system will feel slow.

So $100 bucks less without Windows 8/free upgrade to Windows 10 sounds about right. Nice of Alienware to listen to the main complaint of the stock Alpha in its hard drive speed.
 
jcm said:
Valve doesn't charge software licensing fees, but they do get a piece of most of the software via Steam, so they could probably subsidize hardware if they wanted to. They choose not to, which means Steam Machines have to be sold with margin in the hardware.
Click to expand...

No, Steam, gets a retailer cut only from titles purchased through the steam store.

A licence fee ensures a hardware manufacturer gets money from every single piece of software sold.
A retailer cut means only titles bought from that specific store gives that retailer revenue.

There is nothing that ensures any title bought for use on a Steam machine is ever purchased through the steam store.
 
MrNyarlathotep said:
No, Steam, gets a retailer cut only from titles purchased through the steam store.

A licence fee ensures a hardware manufacturer gets money from every single piece of software sold.
A retailer cut means only titles bought from that specific store gives that retailer revenue.

There is nothing that ensures any title bought for use on a Steam machine is ever purchased through the steam store.
Click to expand...

So what? His point was that the people making Steam Machines don't have an additional revenue stream that can be used to subsidize them. Whether that revenue stream would come through a licensing fee on all software like MS and Sony, or a retailer cut from some software like Valve, is immaterial.
 
Looks like a bad deal. Paying $450 for early 2014 hardware in Nov 2015, for a hardware you can get now for same price or as low as $400 with Windows included, except now bundled with a free OS you can install yourself and a HDD you were going to toss for a SSD anyway. At least the controller is still included right?

No point in waiting for this, at that point Alpha will be even cheaper and better newer hardware can be had for similar price. I'm not sure what they are thinking here.
 
I built my own a few weeks ago and i like it very much. The experience is somewhat console like and the absence of windows lends to that. After seeing it, another in our gaming gruop built one. So far, as an alternative to a ps4, these steam machines have been cheap and fun (about 200us a piece for used cumputers plus 750ti).

My controllers all work okay but im dying for that steam controller tho! So im excited about the launch. I'd say those who have either an xb1 or ps4 should look at one of these at least before buying the other console because the kind of games that are available on steamos have less overlap.
 
jcm said:
So what?
Click to expand...

It blows my mind how people don't get this.

Nintendo / Sony / MS / anyone using a licence fee model:
Subsidise hardware by $100
Purchaser buys 5 games from anywhere at any price
Net loss: $0.

Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser only buys games from nuuvem / Amazon / GMG / GoG / any digital reseller
Valve lose $100

Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser only buys games at $10 or less:
Sell 34+ games at $10 or lose money ($100 - (number of games bought *(cost per game purchased / 30)))

Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser only buys EA games on Origin
Valve lose $100
 
MrNyarlathotep said:
It blows my mind how people don't get this.

Nintendo / Sony / MS / anyone using a licence fee model:
Subsidise hardware by $100
Purchaser buys 5 games from anywhere at any price
Net loss: $0.

Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser only buys games from nuuvem / Amazon / GMG / GoG / any digital reseller
Valve lose $100

Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser only buys games at $10 or less:
Sell 34+ games at $10 or lose money ($100 - (cost per game purchased / 30))

Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser only buys EA games on Origin
Valve lose $100
Click to expand...

Well, first of all, no one is getting $20 a unit for for a licensing fee. Even if they were, here's some more possibilities:

Nintendo / Sony / MS / anyone using a licence fee model:
Subsidise hardware by $100
Purchaser buys 5 used games from anywhere at any price
Net loss: $100.

Nintendo / Sony / MS / anyone using a licence fee model:
Subsidise hardware by $100
Purchaser only buys PSN/Xbox Live games at $10 or less:
Sell 34+ games at $10 or lose money ($100 - (cost per game purchased / 30))

Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser buys 7 $50 games from Steam:
Net gain: $5.

All of which has fuck-all to do with Alienware, which is who the original poster was talking about anyway. You are too busy having your mind blown that people "aren't getting this" to discuss the actual subject at hand, which is: Steam Machine manufacturers can't subsidize hardware because they don't make money on software.
 
cleveridea said:
I cant help but think though that you would be better served with a PC, just using the controller (which almost every game supports) and potentially HDMI to a regular TV.
Click to expand...

It is a PC. Or do you mean building one yourself?

LQX said:
I dont get why anyone would want the Steam version over the Windows version....if they also update the specs of it. Most will also use it as PC also so you might as well get one with a useful OS outside of games. Then again I assume it should be easy to install Windows 10 if you want.
Click to expand...

Other way round for me. If all I wanted to do with my PC was play games, I'd run Windows. But I want an OS that's useful outside of games, so I use Linux.
 
Seanspeed said:
Yea, a huge one, considering you wont be able to play 90% of the games available without it.
Click to expand...

Thats true. But on the other hand, i cant play 10% of the games that are available for steamos, because theres alot.

Besides; nobodys complaining of a console gamer starts sniffing around a syeam machine and decides to go full win pc instead.
 
jcm said:
Valve subsidise a steam machine by $100
Purchaser buys 7 $50 games from Steam:
Net gain: $5.
Click to expand...

This is literally the only example you gave where you are right.

It is also a pretty risky proposition to make to someone; "give me $100 and if these specific circumstances align you might make a small profit".

I really don't see how you don't get it.

jcm said:
All of which has fuck-all to do with Alienware, which is who the original poster was talking about anyway. You are too busy having your mind blown that people "aren't getting this" to discuss the actual subject at hand, which is: Steam Machine manufacturers can't subsidize hardware because they don't make money on software.
Click to expand...

My mind is blown that people can't see the difference between a licencing system and a retail cut.
A licencing system is a guaranteed revenue stream.

The poster who doesn't get it - well, the other poster who doesn't get it said

With a big subsidy from steam, could be a success - like $399 for a box more poweful than a PS4 (with steam paying the subsidy since they will profit from the game sales).
Click to expand...

It's like saying WalMart should subsidise DVD players because they'll profit from DVd sales.
Sure, but only where the purchaser buys all of their DVDs from WalMart.
 
Crayon said:
Thats true. But on the other hand, i cant play 10% of the games that are available for steamos, because theres alot.
Click to expand...
If you want to be limited to that pool of games, go ahead. I think that would suck, though. Oh hey, that great new game is coming out! Bummer you cant play it cuz it's Windows-only. A situation you'd encounter quite a bit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Valve Posts Official Steam Machine Unboxing, Overview and Quick Start Guide
37
531
Esca replied
Steam Machine Reviews
2 3 4 5
201
1K
zaga replied
Steam Machine Price Announced - Starting at $1049 / £879
News  17 18 19 20 21
1K
1K
PeteBull replied
  • Locked
  • Poll
Steam Machine vs GTA6
12
279
vkbest replied
  • Poll
Will a new Half-Life game be announced alongside the Steam Machine?
2
83
722
BooseGumps replied
Top Bottom