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[shinobi602]

Alienware has announced its plans to launch Steam Machines every year, in order to mimic the lifecycles of consoles.

Alienware GM Frank Azor confirmed the plans to TrustedReviews, commenting that, like the consoles produced by Sony and Microsoft, the hardware of Alienware’s Steam Machines would be locked.

"Lifecycle wise, consoles update every five, six, seven years, we will be updating our Steam Machines every year," he explained. “There will be no customization options – you can’t really update it."

PCR via MCVUK

 

[AHA-Lambda]

fuck that then

 

[rSpooky]

unless 5,6,7 times cheaper then consoles, no thanks.

 

[Sylverstone14]

fuck that then

Nailed it.

 

[L~A]

Totaly useless then. You're taking away one of the best features of a Steambox. Useless, useless, useless.

 

[kuroshiki]

Awesome.

 

[DESTROYA]

Since when do consoles get new hardware every year ?

 

[Avallon]

And how much are they charging for a year of gaming time?

 

[hoserx]

PCR via MCVUK

How does releasing new systems every year mimic the life cycle of a console?

 

[KingSnake]

Then you really need to price it at $399.

 

[Sentenza]

Better be really cheap for what they offer in terms of hardware, then.
Not that I was interested anyway, having just ordered my new system.

 

[KennyLinder]

Alienware has announced its plans to launch Steam Machines every year, in order to mimic the lifecycles of consoles.

WAT.

What PlayStation are we on?

 

[Avallon]

Since when do consoles get new hardware every year ?

"Lifecycle wise, consoles update every five, six, seven years, we will be updating our Steam Machines every year,"

 

 

[Rizsparky]

Not even RAM?

 

[Mr. Poolman]

Alienware doesn't get it.

 

[wsippel]

That was obvious given the tiny size and considering it's supposed to be cheap.

 

[DoYouEvenLift?]

Lol, Steam boxes are going to bomb HARD; like, damage Valve's reputation "hard." How utterly pointless.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

WAT.

What PlayStation are we on?

More like the lifecycle of iOS devices. How much does a subsidized Steam Machine cost me?

 

[Bricky]

Makes sense, since most people buying Alienware are doing so because they don't want to build/upgrade/fiddle with their own machine anyway. There's a reason so many people buy their overpriced machines. They know their target audience well.

On the plus side for people who do care about upgrading, their machines will probably be very sleek and slim. Design can also be a selling point no?

 

[RibbedHero]

They're trying to mimic the phone market (iPhones, Galaxy, etc) but fail to realise that TV connected PCs are far less ubiquitous or necessary in today's world.

 

[glaurung]

This is either a stroke of genius or the stupidest decision ever.

Makes sense in terms of video card developments, but CPU-wise... gouging.

 

[solarus]

Why would i pay more to give up one of the best features of PC gaming?
Fuck that, my custom node 304 steam box is better than this and most likely cheaper.

 

[Talamius]

So roll your own is definitely the way to go with Steam Machines.

Gotcha.

 

[Snaku]

Completely misses the point then. Can you even install Windows on it?

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

That is certainly a business plan.

 

[Hasney]

Lol, Steam boxes are going to bomb HARD; like, damage Valve's reputation "hard." How utterly pointless.

Why? Because of one manufacturers intentions?

I read the thread title about the non-upgradeable nature and thought: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED. Sure it's nothing a soldering iron can't fix.

 

[mclem]

Lol, Steam boxes are going to bomb HARD; like, damage Valve's reputation "hard." How utterly pointless.

One companies' independent interpretation of the format does not determine the entire foundation for the system.

 

[jet1911]

I hope they announce the price soon, I need a good laugh!

 

[Durante]

That was obvious given the tiny size and considering it's supposed to be cheap.

Pretty much. Anyone who is surprised by this hasn't been paying attention.

 

[Kouriozan]

Ugh, this is going to very super expensive then in the long run.

 

[Somnid]

Makes sense if they are going small and custom (though I imagine minor updates to HDDs and stuff are possible even if not officially supported). But this is my problem with Steam Machines, that it seems to marry the worst parts of consoles and PCs, I have to think about the hardware but I can't do too much with it. I have to have a PC but not the (software) power of one.

 

[andreyblade]

alienware ...............infinity.................the point of steam machines

 

[flkraven]

So it's a PC, except for the part where they remove the benefit of it being a PC but still maintain the high price.

At this point isn't everyone better off building their own Steam Machines from scratch?

 

[StoppedInTracks]

PS4 is the 360 v2.0.

Xbone is the PS3 v2.0.

PCs are becoming consoles.

Consoles are becoming PCs.

Crazy fucking times.

 

[ari]

All these steam machines will flop.

 

[thomasmahler]

Problem is that upgrading PC Hardware is just waaaaay too fucking complicated for the common user. I know how to do it all and built a few PCs before, but I'm also never gonna do that again, cause there's too much time involved doing all of that.

 

[Riky]

A non-upgradeable PC where you need to install another operating system to use your existing library to its fullest?

It's basically taking all the advantages of a PC and throwing them out.

 

[GhostTrick]

Unupgradable ? Then I guess they're going to use laptop parts.

 

[twisted89]

I know this doesn't really matter but surely it should be non-upgradable or just plain not upgradable in the title, the un- suggests something was done then reversed like unapproved or undo.

 

[chaosblade]

Depending on how it's being handled, this could allow them to produce the systems cheaper. I also think this is intended to be more competitive with consoles than PCs. And yeah, the target audience for Steam Machines is not someone who is going to be comfortable opening it up and swapping out components anyway.

And I don't think the annual upgrades are a bad thing, it means you can upgrade at your own pace. Look at all the people who were begging for new consoles 3-4 years ago but had no option to upgrade.

 

[R3TRO]

Steambox just keeps sounding better. /s

 

[genbatzu]

so is this going to be an expensive Ouya? I think they had the same idea and thought it was a good idea....

 

[maquiladora]

Sounds like they are going after the market that sees annual tablet/phone releases as the norm.

 

[HoosTrax]

Sooo...why would someone buy this over the Alienware X51, which is upgradeable (upgrade options are limited, but still).

 

[KingSnake]

I think they want to say that with consoles you can upgrade just when the lifecycle ends while with their plan you can choose when it's time to upgrade, they will make sure you will have the options. This could work only if the device is cheap.

 

[hengyu]

Alienware misrepresents PC gaming too frequently

 

[Interrobang]

Wasn't that the whole point of the Steam Machine...?

 

[ashecitism]

but in a recent vid they said you can upgrade certain parts?

 

[Whompa]

Are they serious? That would have been the biggest incentive to get one...

 

[RooMHM]

Running gag Alienware making overpriced console like setups.