To be honest, $749 isn't bad for a quad-core i7 machine that you don't have to build yourself.

Yeah, but the GPU is still an 860m. What's the point of having a really good CPU but a mediocre GPU? Wouldn't that be a bottleneck?

I'm still trying to decide whether I want to get an Alpha, a Steam Machine, or build my own mini ITX machine. Building my own means I can build something at the same price but with better performance, but even an ITX machine won't fit nicely in my TV stand without making some adjustments. (I want this as an HTPC so fitting into my TV stand is essential.) The Steam Machine or Alpha definitely will fit in my TV stand, and they come prebuilt so I don't have to worry about that junk, but the performance to price ratio isn't good. Prebuilt definitely appeals to me since I have very little technical knowledge, and I am very worried I will mess something up if I try to build my own. It's a tough decision.

We received our Steam Controller today. Initial impressions are the build quality is pretty good although not as good as a PS4 or XB1 controller. Game testing is in progress. More reviews to come.

Performance apparently isn't so great compared to Windows at the moment.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2015/1...teamos-gaming/

Is it still a rumor?

Not any more!

New Steam Box coming in 2026. No pricing yet.

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X - Formerly Twitter

I hope you aren't required to use that hideous Atari Jaguar-like controller.

I've been wishing/hoping for a new Steam Machine made totally in-house. I hope it doesn't disappoint.

I doubt it. Doesn't bug me, since it's basically the Seam Deck with the screen amputated.

Crucial accessory announced :

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Potential pricing has leaked from a Czech retailer, so there’s a chance this gets adjusted a bit.

$950 - 512gb storage
$1070 - 2tb storage

Both have 8gb of VRAM.

If those prices are correct,

Yikes $950 is steep. $800 would even be pushing it for me.

Those prices are about what I expected. I just wish the hardware wasn't so meh. I get that they did their research based on what their users typically use, but that leaves little incentive to migrate to this new piece of hardware. They would be better off bundling the SteamOS software with the new controller, or ideally just release an official version of SteamOS 3.0 for free.

The new rumor is $600 & $700. Valve hasn’t confirmed anything. I expect prices will be determined based on the existing and projected cost of RAM more than anything else right now.

I don't know how anything, that requires RAM, is going to be fairly priced in the near future with data centers taking over the planet... and possibly the moon.

I found a HP computer with an i5 processor, 512 GB SSD, and 16GB of RAM at Staples for $430 the other day and I snatched it up.

Damn. Was that new? Or refurbished? Pretty sweet deal either way, all things considered.

New. They're still available. https://www.staples.com/hp-omnidesk-...oduct_24635487 In store only though. No graphics card. If you go to your store and they're out, see if they can order one for you. That's what my family did and it was delivered today.

Sadly, a quickle Google search confirms there are no Staples in PR.

Controller will reportedly be $99. 😬

Here's the since-taken down review of the controller

Confirmed PC/Steam Machine controller coming May 4th for $99

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