Steam Hardware has gone live - are you buying or interested?

[Bluecube]

I've had the Steam Link and Steam Controller since the early release a few weeks ago. When it works well, both are really great, but I've had a vast amount of frustration with getting them to work reliably. Rocket League has worked particularly well.

Funny you should say that as Rocket League is the one game that's been giving a lot of people issues in streaming. You got lucky!

I've got a HTPC that boots straight into Steam so the SteamLink is redundant for me. As for the controller, I dunno. I want it to work but it seems far too much of a work in progress at the moment. Maybe when a v2 comes out.

[jimbouk]

I was expecting to see a display in my local game shop but couldn't see anything more than there standard PC hardware selection (could of keyboards, mice and headsets). Do they hide them at the back or are they only carrying stock online? (Was running late so didn't have a chance to ask anyone in the shop.)

[snedger]

A few months ago I was definitely getting a Steam OS machine set up in my front room - today it doesn't look like such a good idea.
Might just build a new PC and dual boot it - and get any Steam OS games if they are reckoned to work well enough - would hate to see project fail 'cos of lack of consumer support.

[jeromesm3]

I'm very interested but will wait for reviews first before make a move.

[Bluecube]

A few months ago I was definitely getting a Steam OS machine set up in my front room - today it doesn't look like such a good idea.
Might just build a new PC and dual boot it - and get any Steam OS games if they are reckoned to work well enough - would hate to see project fail 'cos of lack of consumer support.

Why bother dual booting? Just run Steam on top of Windows. Until there are SteamOS exclusives there's little point in dual booting.

[Thesman106]

The steam link look great and I've been waiting for something to do this for about a year. The controller looks ok might pick it up on a sale. I have no need for a new gamepad. Already got like 10 xD

[AGTDenton]

I was expecting to see a display in my local game shop but couldn't see anything more than there standard PC hardware selection (could of keyboards, mice and headsets). Do they hide them at the back or are they only carrying stock online? (Was running late so didn't have a chance to ask anyone in the shop.)

They've done a poor job in advertising Steam Machines on their website - however, from what I did find through manual searching is that its all on Pre-Order. So I get the feeling stock and general availability has gone AWOL or Game have pulled out. Currently there are no clickable links from the obvious menu options or anything on their home page, i.e. Gaming Systems. You scroll and scroll through their Desktop PCs and I got bored before I saw any Steam Hardware.

http://www.game.co.uk/en/hardware/pc/steam-machines/

[Jonj1611]

I would have been happy to buy a Steam link from Game apart from you can't, you have to buy a bundle! I dont really want a controller or steam credit, just the link device so I contacted them to ask and they said no, they only sell bundles. So I will be ordering direct from Steam!

[jimbouk]

I would have been happy to buy a Steam link from Game apart from you can't, you have to buy a bundle! I dont really want a controller or steam credit, just the link device so I contacted them to ask and they said no, they only sell bundles. So I will be ordering direct from Steam!

Yeah, looked at going direct but you pay quite a lot for postage - a £20 Steam voucher works for me as part of a Christmas present and will get spent over a period of time, but it is a shame you can't just buy one for £40.

[Jonj1611]

Yes £7.40 is quite pricey for postage, they need to get that down to make more sales.

Game wasn't viable for me, there are no Link bundles that are under £99.99 !! Everyone of them comes with a controller and Game don't offer any other bundles currently which is ridiculous as I don't even want the controller and I am sure many others won't either.

I am hoping the Link will be released to other suppliers.

[Jonj1611]

And it seems the Steam Machines themselves maybe in trouble :-

http://www.pcworld.com/article/30061...s-windows.html

[shaithis]

Steam needs Vulkan to pave the way first it seems

[Danashcroft]

Steam needs Vulkan to pave the way first it seems

Haha yes

[aidanjt]

Steam needs Vulkan to pave the way first it seems

OpenGL was always there, they just didn't bother to look at it until Microsoft dumped out Win8.

[bromax333]

I'm interested in SteamLink and Controller, but i'll wait until spring.

[jimbouk]

Bit the bullet and ordered the Steam Controller and £20 gift card from Game for the other half, will find out what it's like at Christmas and report back!

Might need a wireless headset next rather than a usb extension cable dangling along the living room floor...