The first three Steam Machines have recently become available in North America and the United Kingdom. The new breed of computers are expected to get a share of the console gaming industry.
The new PC-console hybrids are currently being offered by Alienware, Zotac and Syber. The devices include the new game controller by Valve, a handheld pad that can map keyboard and mouse controls. The devices retail for at least $450 in North America and £450 in the United Kingdom. The high-end versions are also available at around $1,450. Valve initiated a game sale with discounts going up to 80 percent to showcase the availability of the new systems, Game Spot revealed.
Alienware’s Steam Machine features an Intel i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics card with 2GB of GDDR5. The basic model costs $450, while the premium version is available at $750, which features an Intel i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a GeForce GTX graphics card with 2GB of GDDR5. Alienware offers to kinds of pre-made bundles for the low and high-end packages.
Zotac is offering the NEN Steam Machine, which features an Intel Core i5-6400T, 4GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 graphics card and 1TB of internal storage. The system is available for $750. The Syber Steam Machine features an Intel Core i3-4170 chipset, 4GB of DDR3 memory, 1TB of internal storage and a GeForce GTX 950 2GB graphics card. The basic model is available at $530. The high-end Syber Steam Machine features an Intel Core i7-4790k processor, 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 980 4GB graphics card for $1,450. The mid-range bundle features an i5-4460 processor, 8GB of RAM and an Nvidia GTX 960 2GB graphics card for $760, based on the same Game Spot report.
As for playable titles, Geek reported that Valve started the Steam Machine Launch Sale, with 45 games to download at discounted prices. Some of the notable titles include current-generation releases and classics, like “Dying Light,” “Alien: Isolation,” “Middle-Earth Shadow of Mordor,” “The Witcher 2,” “The Binding of Isaac,” “Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel,” “Galak-Z,” “Soma,” and “XCOM: Enemy Unknown,” among others.
Steam Machines were first discussed in March 2012, while Valve made the official announcement months later. All Steam Machines operate on SteamOS, a Linux-based OS, but players can also install Windows. Steam Link is a Wi-Fi-enabled device that can transfer video signals from the PC to a TV nearby. It offers another way to bring PC gaming to the living room. More Steam-powered devices are expected to surface soon.