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What is Steam Box and Steam Machine?

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  • Consoles
  • Steam
  • Systems
Last response: in SteamOS
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Anonymous
January 28, 2014 3:57:44 PM

I just know it's a console designed by Valve, but what is the difference between both and when will they be released? I've researched a little and it seems that there are many of them O__O, and I'd like to know if it's a good console (w/ good components) and is better than buying a gaming PC for the same price.

More about : steam box steam machine

January 28, 2014 4:14:28 PM

It's more than just a console. Most of the Steam Box prototypes use real PC CPUs and GPUs in a small form factor mITX/mATX case, as opposed to their watered down console counterparts, and the Steam OS is a digital content delivery system similar to Amazon's Fire OS for the Kindle Fire HD. They also ditch the optical drive entirely for a completely digital method of distribution and DRM management.
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Anonymous
January 28, 2014 5:36:31 PM

But what is the difference between Steam Machine and Steam box? What about all the different versions I've seen? When will it be released? Is it better than buying a gaming PC for the same price? Sorry for too many questions :) 
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January 28, 2014 5:54:50 PM

Anonymous said:
But what is the difference between Steam Machine and Steam box? What about all the different versions I've seen? When will it be released? Is it better than buying a gaming PC for the same price? Sorry for too many questions :) 


They're pretty much exactly the same thing. Most of the different versions you see floating around various websites are basically just PC builds that are geared toward Valve specifications utilizing small form factor (mATX / mITX) cases. Considering that Steam OS is still in the very early development phase and Steam Boxes are in the prototype phase, it could be a couple of years before we see a real commercial product. But really it will mostly be geared toward boutique vendors like Falcon Northwest and Origin marketing these machines toward enthusiasts.
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Anonymous
January 29, 2014 4:47:45 AM

When is it going to be released and is it better than buying a gaming PC for the same price?
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January 29, 2014 1:42:29 PM

I could be a little off on this but the name Steam Box seemed to come from when media was speculating on what Valve was up to before they announced SteamOS. the controller and the "consoles". There were a lot of rumor articles about how they thought Valve would release a console that was designed and built by them. When Valve finally announced what they were up to, they called them Steam Machines. So I think Steam Box came from media, Steam Machine came from Valve

And a Steam Machine is nothing other than a pre-built PC running SteamOS. Anything could be considered a "Steam Machine" including the computer you are posting on, if it were running SteamOS.
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January 29, 2014 1:49:21 PM

I thought steam boxes was more of the reseller/media versions of a steam machine: For example these would be steam boxes....http://www.pcgamer.com/2014/01/07/valve-announces-some-...

Basically just overpriced custom steam machines pumped out by computer resellers. I mean if I throw Steam OS in my rig isn't technically a steam machine?

Edit: Well aware that the article I posted does not differentiate the two, I am just telling you how I interpret the difference
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January 29, 2014 1:54:00 PM

Anonymous said:
When is it going to be released and is it better than buying a gaming PC for the same price?


The resellers have to make a profit so they are going to offer a lot of bells and whistles you don't need. You would be better off making your own
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Anonymous
January 29, 2014 3:37:46 PM

Thanks!
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!