I’m seriously stoked about this, even though I’m not planning to buy any of the new hardware! It all comes down to the fact that Valve’s hardware projects force them to pump huge resources into open-source development, and we all get the benefits. That means the compatibility tools like Proton—which are essential for the high-end Steam Machine and Steam Frame—are immediately available to my desktop rig. By pushing Linux into the living room, VR, and high-performance space, they’re pressuring game developers to finally treat Linux as a serious platform. Basically, Valve’s huge investment accelerates development and developer adoption, which makes my own Linux desktop a way better and will hopefully get more people into Linux and open source.
Comment on Steam Machine
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
Why are people so excited about what looks like custom proprietary hardware designed to have a limited lifespawn and that will end up in a landfill in less than a decade?
StinkySocialist@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
Remember that valve main product is a proprietary third party software launcher that doesn’t share much with what linux stand for. With this hardware to me it looks like they are trying to make a console out of a pc.
AwesomeLowlander@sh.itjust.works 1 month ago
And yet, with Proton they’re one of the biggest contributors to Linux adoption in the past several years. They’re allowing millions of users to cut the last string that was binding them to Windows
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
And yet, with Proton they’re one of the biggest contributors to Linux adoption in the past several years.
They are also routing million of users through a proprietary third software launcher. Don’t forget that steam was built on and fueled the windows ecosystem for two decades.
Zetta@mander.xyz 1 month ago
This is a custom small form factor PC with many of its components being user replaceable. The GPU and CPU are soldered, which is unfortunate, but it is still significantly more upgradable and repairable than any other console that has existed. So what the hell are you on about?
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
This is a custom small form factor PC with many of its components being user replaceable. The GPU and CPU are soldered, which is unfortunate, but it is still significantly more upgradable and repairable than any other console that has existed. So what the hell are you on about?
Consoles are garbage, bringing a PC close to these is rowing in the wrong direction. Their presentation doesn’t say much about components being replaceable and hint at fix storage. GPU is one of the most important pieces in a machine that is supposed to be dedicated to videogames
I think you’re just dumb and don’t know what you’re talking about.
You are on lemmy, a decentralized and open source platform that doesn’t share peanuts with steam or for profit companies like valve, i may be dump but i encourage you to learn more about open source software/hardware and decentralized platforms.
Zetta@mander.xyz 1 month ago
I’ve used fedora for the past 5 years and run GrapheneOS. I’m familiar with open software dude
couldhavebeenyou@lemmy.zip 1 month ago
This is a custom small form factor PC with many of its components being user replaceable. The GPU and CPU are soldered, which is unfortunate, but it is still significantly more upgradable and repairable than any other console that has existed. So what the hell are you on about?
Well there seems to be exactly one component that’s upgradable that you don’t have on the other consoles, which is the RAM. And at first sight I think you’ll have to remove the heatsink to get to it.
If you want any ‘usable’ upgradability it’s better to compare to modern minipc’s where you can easily replace the RAM and WiFi, have multiple SSD slots and even have the option to connect an external GPU.
TonyTonyChopper@mander.xyz 1 month ago
It’s a console for PC gaming. Consoles have always been like that. The original Steam Machines were small modular PCs built by system integrators and they sold barely any of them.
BunScientist@lemmy.zip 1 month ago
the original steam machines had linux in a protonless time so they didn’t have much appeal in the first place
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
consoles are PCs running proprietary software
StinkySocialist@lemmy.ml 1 month ago
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
Don’t get confused, not all PCs are sold with windows preinstalled or require microsoft software to work.
Datz@szmer.info 1 month ago
I’m not a hardware guy, how is this different from the Steam Deck? Is the hardware here used of crappy quality by comparison? I thought most people liked the Deck, I sure do and will likely use it for a decade.
recklessengagement@lemmy.world 1 month ago
Hardware in the cube is said to be roughly 6x more powerful.
Datz@szmer.info 1 month ago
Well I know that, but isn’t that good in the context of waste (OP’s problem)? Since PS6 hasn’t been released yet, it’s seems the PS5-like specs here will last a decade and be future proof enough. PS4 is almost 13 years old and still has games coming out.
SparroHawc@lemmy.zip 1 month ago
The difference is in the form factor. The Steam Deck is a purpose-built device for handheld gaming, with the expectation that it won’t be useful for AAA games that push current PC hardware. It’s found that niche and serves very, very well there. For that reason, it will likely outlive its tech specs - it will continue to work for many lower-spec indie games, because expectations will be reasonable.
The Steam Machine, on the other hand, is positioned as something that can play all current games (that aren’t kernel-level DRMed to hell and back, at least). These become outdated the moment new games start coming out that run poorly on it. Since it’s not upgradeable, the whole device becomes outdated and will need to be replaced if you want to play the next new hotness at a good FPS.
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
The steam deck is a portable device, soldering components and custom parts in devices that need to be small it’s more justifiable because it can save space. This box on the other hand is a SFF pc that has to be small only for marketing reasons.
rotopenguin@infosec.pub 1 month ago
Some people don’t want the same beige tower as you.
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
With this machine you are stuck to a specific case. With a modular setup you can chose the case you want between thousand.
Fractal design terra has a similar design and can fit a big GPU
MystValkyrie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 month ago
I wish it had a more defined upgrade path, I really do. I was actually going to get a Framework 16 until their controversy came to light. For those of us who care for that sort of thing, the only game in town left the building.
So my answer is that this device checks all my boxes except for that. It’s built with Linux in mind, it’s small, it’s not a laptop, it has quality assurance and I don’t have to build it myself, and it can run all my favorite games. But I’m going to get as much life as I can get out of it, and I’m not going to just throw it out or sell it when the next Steam Machine comes around. I’ll make do with what I have until it breaks or becomes unusable.
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
what sort of thing? a SFF pc? you can build one quite easily of pay someone to build it for you, it’s cheaper and more reliable
MystValkyrie@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 month ago
I didn’t want to get too specific, but by “that sort of thing” I meant not supporting companies who financially contribute to certain political organizations and individuals. That’s a personal decision and I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers on an unrelated thread.
I’ll also say that not everyone wants to build their own PC and would prefer the assurance that everything will just work out of the box, yet still don’t want a locked-down experience that you’d get with consoles. And that’s okay.
Steam Deck was one-of-a-kind for having a console-like pricing model, while having a high ifixit repairability score, and because it’s not a custom build, there’s a tutorial out there for most repairs or other problems you’ll encounter. So that’s pretty reliable in my book.
brachiosaurus@mander.xyz 1 month ago
some people don’t want to cook their launch and get mcdonald