Honestly I expect someone to make custom cases for it. If valve don’t release a model there will at least be someone doing a 3d printed model that fits the board.
It’s likely the steam machine will be repairable, what makes you think otherwise?
Not everyone loves to build a computer, look for compatible parts, compare 100 prices, choose a distro, spend 2 or 3 days troubleshooting unexpected things anyhow… The appeal of this box for people who want a “decent” hardware with steam/Linux on an open machine (free to install whatever you want afterwards) plug and play ready out of the box looks pretty damn big too me, if the price will be low enough. Not everyone is a tinkerer to the same degree or has enough time for it. This will for sure open Linux to a broader audience, that are interested but scared or short on skill/knowledge/time. Plus you get support, the real kind, not only random people on forums. Maybe it’s not for you, but to me the appeal is enormous. If it’s priced sharp enough I’ll probably get one and make it my “smart” TV device.
Honestly the whole “modern tech style” thing is making me feel feel off.
The controller looks nice tho. Supports linux and would go well with retroarch to emulate old games on thinkpad.
Hell maybe a raspberry pi connected to the TV monitor.
Did you want it to come in a Beige Box?
I personally like wood exterior or utilitarian sheet metal with no lights.
https://www.digitalfoundry.net/features/hands-on-with-steam-machine-valves-new-pcconsole-hybrid
The front panel comes off, you can have a steam machine with a wood exterior if you really want
Honestly I expect someone to make custom cases for it. If valve don’t release a model there will at least be someone doing a 3d printed model that fits the board.
I would absolutely fuck with a beige/Earth tone box.
It’s mostly heat sink and fan out the back, cube shape is no frills and works great for what it is.
I think the faceplates will be swappable so I can get that custom gabecube look.
In my case I just can’t see the appeal. If you want a small desktop computer, just build an itx machine that can be fixed and upgraded.
If the price point is around 500$/€ I think it would be challenging to build a good pc for less than that
It’s likely the steam machine will be repairable, what makes you think otherwise?
Not everyone loves to build a computer, look for compatible parts, compare 100 prices, choose a distro, spend 2 or 3 days troubleshooting unexpected things anyhow… The appeal of this box for people who want a “decent” hardware with steam/Linux on an open machine (free to install whatever you want afterwards) plug and play ready out of the box looks pretty damn big too me, if the price will be low enough. Not everyone is a tinkerer to the same degree or has enough time for it. This will for sure open Linux to a broader audience, that are interested but scared or short on skill/knowledge/time. Plus you get support, the real kind, not only random people on forums. Maybe it’s not for you, but to me the appeal is enormous. If it’s priced sharp enough I’ll probably get one and make it my “smart” TV device.