Hardware Unboxed had the harshest review I found, calling it “impossible to recommend”, and the video was full of similar commentary. Honestly I unsusbscribed from this channel after this review (and based on many other of what I consider to be “bad takes"). But there were many other largely negative reviews that I came across with similar points. Namely the price is too high and the hardware is unimpressive.

DIY does get quite a bit cheaper. Especially if you look at used parts, and account for repairability and longevity. I just had a PSU crap out on me on my desktop. If that were a Steam Machine there would probably be no parts available, as it was ~10 years old. But since it is a standard modular PSU people have been producing for like 40 years, I was able to choose between several dozen models that suited my needs and it just bolted right in.

I don’t particularly want to convince you not to buy one. And if it’s the form factor and low noise you’re after, there’s not really anything comparable available. There are a thousand mini PCs but none of them have the giant fan/heatsink combo that creates the low-noise conditions. And it’s so much better than any other console.

But you asked me to try 😅