Steam Machine

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

SteamOS, Linux, and “Year of the Linux Desktop”

  • Many see Steam Machine + SteamOS 3 (Arch + KDE + Gamescope) as the strongest Linux desktop push yet, especially as a polished, vendor-supported “standard PC” for the living room.
  • Several commenters already daily‑drive SteamOS or Linux (often Bazzite, Pop!_OS, Debian, Mint) and report most games work well via Proton, though updates sometimes break things and anti‑cheat remains a major gap.
  • Some use Steam Deck/SteamOS as their main computer; immutable design is liked but can complicate containers and custom setups.
  • Others are skeptical Linux will ever dominate desktop gaming because of anti‑cheat, inconsistent UX, and entrenched habits around Windows.

ARM, Proton, and Steam Frame

  • Steam Frame’s Snapdragon + Proton + FEX x86 emulation is seen as huge: ARM PCs and VR headsets may now realistically run large parts of the Steam catalog.
  • This reverses earlier Valve statements that Proton-on-ARM wasn’t realistic; people joke about “Valve Time”.
  • Discussion branches into whether Proton could or should come to macOS, interaction with Apple’s Game Porting Toolkit, D3DMetal, and Vulkan vs Metal.

Hardware Design, Specs, and Ports

  • CPU/GPU: Semi‑custom Zen 4 + RDNA3 (≈ RX 7600‑class) with 30W CPU / 110W GPU TDP; many compare it to or slightly below PS5/XSX power.
  • 16GB DDR5 RAM (upgradable) + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM (soldered) is the biggest concern: considered fine for 1080p/1440p with FSR, but potentially tight for future AAA 4K titles.
  • RAM and SSD are user‑replaceable; CPU and GPU are soldered, making it more console‑like.
  • HDMI 2.0 and 1 Gbit Ethernet disappoint users with high‑end TVs or 2.5–10 Gbit home networks. Single rear USB‑C and several USB‑A ports spark debate, but many note most gaming peripherals are still USB‑A.

Anti‑Cheat, Compatibility, and Windows

  • The main functional blocker: kernel‑level anti‑cheat used by titles like Battlefield 6, Fortnite, Valorant, some EA and Bungie games. These generally don’t run on Linux/Proton.
  • Some argue Valve should require Linux‑compatible anti‑cheat for Steam listing; others note this is technically and commercially hard and might push big publishers away.
  • A number of users keep Windows around solely for these games; others refuse rootkit‑style anti‑cheat on principle and accept missing them.

Use Cases, Ecosystem, and Openness

  • Many want it as a quiet, compact living‑room PC: couch gaming, HTPC, Jellyfin/Plex, emulation, light desktop use.
  • Integration across Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame (shared microSD, streaming) is praised.
  • The line “Who are we to tell you how to use your computer?” draws strong positive reactions in contrast to Apple/Google/walled‑garden trends.
  • Some worry about Steam’s centralization and DRM long‑term, but Valve’s track record and open‑source contributions (Proton, FEX, drivers) generate significant goodwill.

Pricing and Market Position

  • No price yet; speculation centers around €500–800. Many say anything much above console pricing (~$500–600) will struggle, especially with 8GB VRAM and HDMI 2.0.
  • Seen as a potential “nail in the coffin” for Xbox hardware if priced well, since it combines console‑like UX with the existing Steam library and Linux openness.

New Steam Controller and Input

  • Strong enthusiasm for the new Steam Controller: gyro aiming, trackpads, dual‑stage triggers (important for some games), and hope for a modern, extensible input standard beyond XInput.
  • Some dislike the chunky form factor or trackpads; others say Deck/Controller ergonomics have proven themselves in practice.