I’m very much a console girl. Sure, I play plenty of games on PC, but I largely prefer the console experience. When a new game comes out, I don’t have to worry about upgrading my PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. I just hit “new game,” and away we go.
That’s part of why Valve’s recently announced PC-console hybrid, The Steam Machine, is so appealing to me. My current PC struggles to play modern games, and I’m long overdue for an upgrade. But I’m also not a huge hardware person. Steam’s pre-built, all-in-one Steam Machine is a dream come true, and it’s also the least-ugly gaming box on the market right now. Valve’s cube is less boring than the Xbox Series X, and far more practical than the PS5’s weirdly curvy can’t-fit-it-anywhere design. There’s even a Companion Cube version!
The Steam Machine could also make things easier on non-tech-savvy individuals who want to buy someone a PC but don’t know where to start. Little Timmy wants a gaming PC with a VR headset for his birthday? Grandma can pick up a Steam Machine and Valve’s new VR headset, the Steam Frame, without worrying about which games can be accessed, or struggling to compare headset specs that read like gibberish.
There are two caveats here: We don’t know how much Valve’s Steam Machine, Steam Frame, or new Steam Controller will cost. We also don’t know how long the Steam Machine’s projected lifespan is.
Historically, consoles can’t really be future-proofed — you stick with the one you have until a game you want launches exclusively on a next-gen console, then you upgrade. The Steam Machine’s SSD can be upgraded, but its GPU can’t, which may frustrate some users who want a more customizable experience. Conversely, SteamOS software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais says third-party Steam Machine-style hybrids may become available from other vendors, featuring different hardware that will allow consumers to choose the right SteamOS product for their needs. That opens the door to more future-proofing possibilities, but these alternative Steam Machines are still hypothetical at this point.
Cost is another factor. Would I buy a Steam Machine if it were similar to the cost of a PS5 Pro? Sure, I’d absolutely buy one for $700 to $800. Would I buy a Steam Machine if it retailed at a “gaming PC price”? Maybe, but I’m certainly not dropping $1,200 to $2,000 on hardware that’s difficult (or downright impossible) to upgrade without thinking long and hard about it first. Valve says it wants to keep the Steam Machine’s price “as approachable [and] as affordable as possible,” but we still have no idea how much it will cost.
Ultimately, Valve’s new PC-console hybrid could be the best of both worlds — or the worst. Until we know more about the Steam Machine’s upgradability, its price point, and whether or not Half-Life 3 will debut as a launch title, it’s hard to know for sure.
