I am in the Steam Machine 2026 reservation queue now. Please convince me NOT to buy one. I don’t really have a gaming PC right now. I am hoping that the Steam Machine can replace my productivity laptop, so I can play modern games on it and also have better general performance for productivity apps.
My current gaming setup:
- Laptop with integrated Intel Iris XE graphics (only for productivity and limited 2D gaming)
- 1440p monitor
- Xbox series S
- Switch Lite
- Switch 2
- Logitech G Cloud
- GeForce Now performance subscription
I spend most of the time playing on handhelds (native/streaming), but occasionally on the computer monitor. Currently I stream from either GFN or the Xbox (remote play) to my Logitech G Cloud.
I have a huge backlog, and very limited time to play games due to busy life.
Other points to consider:
- Xbox series S is too weak for some recent games, even at 1080p
- I am not just going to use the Steam Machine with the monitor, I will mostly stream the Steam Machine to my Logitech G Cloud
- I don’t mind the Linux desktop environment, I actually prefer it over Windows
- Gaming laptops are too hot and noisy
- I don’t want a large Windows PC, I like the steam machine form factor.
- My Xbox series S is also used only for streaming to my Logitech G Cloud
- GeForce Now has a limited library, there are many steam games I want that are not available on GFN
- I’ve considered getting a Mac Mini, but the new one is too expensive.
- I worry that GFN will raise their prices or put further limits. Or new games I want won’t be available on GFN. I feel like with GFN, I own nothing and it is out of my control.
- I love retro games and emulation (The Logitech G Cloud is too weak for PS2/Gamecube/PS3 emulation)
- I have very good internet connectivity and good wifi 7.
Additionally:
- Gaming handhelds such as the Steamdeck and ROG Ally are too big and heavy.
- I want to be able to play upcoming games such as Fable and Elder’s Scroll 6
- I do not need to play on the couch with TV
- I only play single player games, mostly RPGs
- I enjoy the cheaper game prices of Steam (vs Xbox/Nintendo)
- I don’t need native Microsoft 365 apps, I am happy with Linux apps
- I don’t trust most mini PC brands
- I am mostly a patient gamer, and often wait until at least 50% discount to buy games
I own one and these are the best arguments against:
That said I love mine. I was nervous at first but even as a new release with some of the software kinks getting worked out it is still super low maintenance and has me playing more games than ever. I pulled the trigger based on my positive experience with the steam deck and I really do think it is a thoughtful, beautiful machine that is more than the sum of its (expensive) parts.
I don’t think consoles offer any subsidised performance, they just make this allusion since they force you to buy games. You can pirate any game on PC
Really? I was looking at building a PC instead of getting the Machine but every build I came up with was steep. I admittedly didn’t thoroughly research everything but I did feel like I was picking lower tier parts and still was looking at well over $1000.
Honestly we may be past the point already given how quickly prices are still rising. I think the steam machine gave everyone sticker shock when it was first announced but if they manage to keep it at 1k base will end up looking like a deal compared to everything else sigh
Yeah. I think it sounds expensive when you compare it to consoles, but for me, building a gaming pc, even before I checked prices, seemed like $1000 wasn’t too bad. Especially knowing that meh graphics cards have easily been over $200 and a decent power supply and motherboard also could exceed $250 themselves. I mention those two components because I have gone as cheap as possible in the past, majorly regretted it, and had lots of issues and costly replacements which are very not fun. I would suspect a valve product is unlikely to suffer from issues like that, which to me is worth at least $100 just for the piece of mind.