News - CyberPower PC to ship its Steam Machine design with Windows 8.1

[HEXUS]

Following the recent trend started by ASUS and Alienware.

Read more.

[Otherhand]

The PC is at a disadvantage in the console market given the cost, but the two things its form can offer as a serious advantage is an internal SSD and its GPU. Given that I could buy a PS4 and add an SSD, that leaves me as a consumer thinking that these boxes are launching too soon. Wouldn't it make more sense to wait for Valve, ride on their PR hype, and then have the opportunity to exploit price drops in SSDs and GPUs (or even better GPUs)?

I want to see these alternatives succeed, but I'm worried that these early launches are going to lead to a string of headlines about commercial failure and thus kill all interest in further investment. I like Win 8.1 on my desktop PC, but it doesn't seem like the right thing for a TV-based console at all. Besides, we need something like SteamOS to invisibly parcel driver and OS updates into single updates, and make sure they don't happen much more regularly than MS/Sony updates. Otherwise we're going to have lots of unhappy customers telling their friends, "This is exactly why I stopped buying PCs in the first place".

[Michael H]

The machines are already developed. Valve's delay is what means it's not a Steambox.

It's better to release them now, and have customers use them either as a normal SFF PC or with an XBox 360/One controller plugged into their TV, and maintain the option of updating to a steambox via OS download and the addition of a controller down the line, than just to mothball the product. Development costs need to be recouped.

Also; the sooner it's in customer hands, the sooner end-user feedback can be garnered to improve the next iteration.

[shaithis]

The cynic in me thinks valve might have delayed to allow bug-fixing on boxes that do not contain their brand name.....and VR headsets to mature a little.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more believable it seems that valve would have purposely put the brakes on.

[Percy1983]

Couldn't I buy one now and install steam OS myself and just use a 360 controller?

I am not going to or plan too but surely they could sell them with no OS and let them be steam boxes already.

[aidanjt]

Couldn't I buy one now and install steam OS myself and just use a 360 controller?

I am not going to or plan too but surely they could sell them with no OS and let them be steam boxes already.

Yup. I'm fairly certain the inclusion of Windows 8.1 is mostly due to the idiot factor. If they just went with the SteamOS beta, too many will pick them up without checking which OS it comes with, then throw a hissy fit when call of dooty wont install.

[Crowl]

The PC is at a disadvantage in the console market given the cost, but the two things its form can offer as a serious advantage is an internal SSD and its GPU. Given that I could buy a PS4 and add an SSD, that leaves me as a consumer thinking that these boxes are launching too soon. Wouldn't it make more sense to wait for Valve, ride on their PR hype, and then have the opportunity to exploit price drops in SSDs and GPUs (or even better GPUs)?

A higher-end card like a 280x or 290x are already beyond what is offered on the consoles, so while there would be some benefits to waiting on the GPU side of things if somebody particularly wanted one for SteamOS, it is not like these machines are going to be outdated until 4k gaming becomes the expected level.

[TheAnimus]

Yup. I'm fairly certain the inclusion of Windows 8.1 is mostly due to the idiot factor. If they just went with the SteamOS beta, too many will pick them up without checking which OS it comes with, then throw a hissy fit when call of dooty wont install.

Or the fact that with windows you can run more games, they can reach more consumers and sell more of their boxes?

[aidanjt]

Or the fact that with windows you can run more games, they can reach more consumers and sell more of their boxes?

So call it a Windows Machine?

[TheAnimus]

I figured they would, I mean it will have a higher price tag, I thought they just wanted to get more use from the design, more use from the tooling up.

[Aftershock]

The problem with Steam OS is still one of game compatibility with AAA titles. It is improving though...