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Let's take a very close look at iBuyPower's $500 Steam Machine
You've already seen iBuyPower's pretty little white Steam Machine ahead of CES 2014, but now we've got one of our own and have taken far too many photos of it for you to ogle. Inside and out! The pretty little Steam Machine, dubbed "SBX," is iBuyPower's direct challenge to Microsoft and Sony's new game consoles: $500 gets you the box, a Steam Controller, an HDMI cable, and all the power therein. The prototype we saw packs a quad-core Athlon X4 740 CPU ("with some voltage and speed tweaks"), 4GB RAM, a 500GB HDD, and a Radeon R7 250 GPU (1GB GDDR5) power SteamOS -- no dual-booting here! iBuyPower's hoping for a Radeon R7 260X ("or equivalent") GPU when the SBX ships later this year, but we're told most of the other specs won't change. iBuyPower's Tuan Nguyen sees it as his company's first console, rather than a highly modified PC. It's easy to see his perspective after spending some time with a prototype here at CES. Of the various Steam Machines announced this evening during Valve's press event, SBX is a middle of the road entry in terms of both price and specs. It'll run today's prettiest games on Steam without an issue, but not all of them turned all the way up. Two color variations of the box are planned for when SBX goes on sale later this year ("around June or July" we're told): glossy white and matte black. And that color bar dividing SBX in two? An iOS and Android app named LEDControl enables a wide variety of color choices on the fly (no light at all is also an option).
Origin PC launching two 'Chronos' Steam Machines this year
Origin PC, not to be confused with EA's Origin service, announced two of its own Steam Machines today. Dubbed the "Chronos" line, the Steam boxes will run Valve's SteamOS operating system, first announced in September 2013. Origin will launch both the normal and SLI-Edition versions of Chronos this year for an undetermined price. Both versions are customizable, though the noteworthy differences between the two is the 32 GB of memory, up to 14 TB of combined solid-state and hard drive space, as well as a 40-in-1 card reader in the SLI-Edition compared to the normal version's 16 GB of memory, and up to 6 TB of storage space. Both Chronos systems will include the ability to dual-boot a version of Windows 7 or Windows 8 in addition to SteamOS.
Here are all of Valve's Steam Machines from CES 2014, in specs
Remember those Steam Machine partners we heard about? Gabe Newell just took the stage at Valve's CES 2014 event and made them official, doling out specs for gaming rigs from Alienware, CyberPower, Gigabyte, iBuyPower, Falcon Northwest, and more. There are thirteen machines in all, varying from $500 to $6000 a piece. Not all of them revealed their full hardware specifications, but skip past the break, and we'll give you a rundown of what we know.
Here are all of Valve's Steam Machines from CES 2014, in pictures
Wondering what all of Valve's premier third-party Steam Machines look like? Wonder no more! We've captured images of all 13 straight from Valve's CES 2014 press event and dropped 'em into a gallery for you. We'll have far more details on specs and what have you as we learn more, but here's a quick glance at this year's biggest PC gaming initiative. Richard Lai contributed to this report.
Valve still hasn't ruled out making its own Steam Machine
It looks like Valve's not totally ruling out making its own version of the retail Steam Machines that so many other PC manufacturers are making currently. During Valve's press conference this evening at CES 2014, company head Valve Newell said, "We're gonna make that decision as we go along." when asked whether Valve would make its own retail Steam Machine. "We have plans to build more machines as customers ask," he continued. So far, only 300 lucky beta testers have the Valve-made Steam Machine. Newell said that part of Valve's reason for being at CES was to solicit feedback from press and consumers, so it sounds like a Valve-made box might be more than just a dream for now.
Maingear's Spark is a tiny Steam Machine with laptop internals
Traditionally, gaming PCs aren't built with size in mind, but Valve's Steam Machine initiative has changed the game -- now these rigs are taking up residence in the living room. In fact, that's exactly what Maingear's Spark was built for. This diminutive PC is built from notebook components: a 3.1GHz AMD A8-5575M processor with Radeon R9 M275X graphics, up to 16GB of DDR3L RAM and support for a 256GB SSD with a spare 2.5-inch HDD tray. All together, the Spark measures in at just over two inches tall and 4.5 inches wide in either direction. Tiny? You bet. Weighing less than a pound, Maingear says it's the smallest gaming PC they've ever offered. Despite its size, the company still had room to squeeze in four USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet and audio jacks and both HDMI and Mini DisplayPort output. Unfortunately, the Spark's final price point is up in the air, but the company promises it will be "an affordable PC solution." Spark is set to launch in the first quarter in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Steam OS configurations.
Hands-on with Valve's Steam Machine beta hardware
Valve wants a piece of your living room, and it's taking several approaches to make it happen, not the least of which are Steam Machines. Watching Valve's Steam Machines evolution from rumor to concept to hardware beta has been a fascinating process, and now that we've been allowed some hands-on time with one of these quasi-consoles, we're here to tell you what we think. Before we get started, first thing's first: the hardware beta Valve is currently running is just that, a beta. This means everything you're about to read is subject to change. Heck, we already know Valve is partnering with multiple manufacturers to produce various hardware configurations, so who can say what elements will stay the same and what will change? That being said, we're going to try and give you an idea of what to expect based on what we've experienced.
Steam Machine beta testers start receiving hardware, teasing the less fortunate
Unless you're part of a select group of beta testers (or happen to be handy with Linux), you're probably reading this in a home without access to a Steam Machine. Wondering what you're missing out on? A handful of Valve's 300 beta testers are happy to rub their good fortune in your face and clue you in. The aptly named "SteamMachineBetaTester" Tumblr and Reddit user Colbehr have kindly documented their Steam Machine unboxings, revealing the same form factor we saw last month packed into a well padded wooden crate. Well, there is one change: Valve has drilled out a hole in each of the test units ventilation grates, marking the test device with a representative blemish on one of the vent's 300 perforations. The complete kit comes with the beta hardware itself, a prototype Steam controller, HDMI, USB and power power cables, a USB Steam OS recovery thumbstick and a removable WiFi antenna module. True to Valve's promise, the beta rig is serviceable too, with disassembly instructions helpfully spelled out in the device's instruction manual. It's hard not to be a little jealous, but at least you've got options: check out the tester's galleries at the source links below or, you know, build your own.
SteamOS now available for download
As promised for today, Valve has released its custom operating system, SteamOS. SteamOS is a custom version of the Linux operating system, so if you're looking to tinker around with it be sure to give this FAQ a gander first. Valve is also sending out Steam Machines to 300 beta participants starting today. SteamOS is part of Valve's three-pronged approach in bringing PC gaming into the living. In addition to SteamOS, there are also Steam Machines - custom affordable pre-built PCs designed to play Steam games - and Valve's customizable Steam Controller.
Valve's SteamOS is ready to download -- only Linux vets are encouraged to apply
Just as promised, Valve has made its first release of SteamOS available for downloads at the same time it ships out prototype Steam Machines to 300 beta testers. Based on the Debian 7.1 flavor of Linux, SteamOS is a platform purpose built for playing PC games on the TV. Cutting out the cruft of desktop operating systems that aren't well suited for the lean-back experience, one of its main features is the ability to stream games running on a computer elsewhere in the house, so they can be played on the TV, as well as play native SteamOS games. It's currently in beta, so Valve is recommending those without experience with Linux wait for a more polished version next year, around the time Steam Machine gaming PCs arrive at retail. Still, if you know your apt-get from your su and want to show those Xbox One and PS4 owners what an open next-gen platform is like, feel free to start the 960MB download here (good luck, some report downloads are already choking under the strain) to check it out early. Need more information on how it's done? All the information you'll need to get up and running, from hardware requirements to installation instructions can be found in this freshly-posted FAQ.
Daily Roundup: SteamOS release, holiday gift guide for the geek, Z Ultra Google Play edition and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Valve's SteamOS will be available for individuals and OEMs on December 13th
In a blog post announcing the shipment of beta versions of the Steam Machine and Controller, Valve revealed that its SteamOS will be available December 13th. This availability coincides with the aforementioned prototype hardware heading out to a select 300 testers. As a quick refresher, this is the software that will allow streaming both games and media from machines in the living room and computers around your flat -- the so-called Steambox operating system. Unless you're an experienced Linux hacker, though, Valve recommends that you hold off until later next year to give it a shot. It appears that an in-home streaming beta is on the way shortly, too.
Steam Machines ship to beta participants on Friday
The first round of 300 beta Steam Machines and controllers ship out on Friday, December 13, Valve announced. Selected beta testers will be notified today around 5PM ET. These anointed ones will find a few games running on SteamOS in their libraries and badges on their Steam profiles marking them as participants. SteamOS will go live once the hardware ships on Friday, downloadable by individual users and commercial OEMs. Additionally, the in-home streaming beta will begin soon, Valve notes. Steam Machines are due to ship commercially in 2014. Expect more information about Valve's hardware initiative at CES in January.
Digital Storm teases hybrid Steam Machine, reveals $1,469 starting price and not much else
We'll have to wait until CES for a real peek at Digital Storm's forthcoming Steam Machine, but thankfully the show's only a few weeks away. In the meantime, the company's got a few details to offer up, calling the box "one of the most advanced small form factor systems" ever, thanks to options like an NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN graphics card, liquid cooling, airflow thermal management and up to a 700W power supply. The system will offer up both SteamOS and Windows, with a starting price of $1,469. Digital Storm says it opted not to compete with the price of current-gen consoles. Fair enough. In the meantime, here's a dark teaser page for you to stare at for the next couple of weeks.
Valve now a card-carrying member of The Linux Foundation, 'one of many ways Valve is investing in the advancement of Linux gaming'
In case Valve's multi-tiered investment in Linux gaming weren't clear enough from SteamOS, the Steam Controller and Steam Machines, the company's also joining the ranks of The Linux Foundation membership. Valve Linux head Mike Sartain calls the news, "one of the many ways Valve is investing in the advancement of Linux gaming"; he sees the move as yet another step for Valve toward its bigger goal of popularizing accessible Linux-based gaming. Sartain details a three-pronged approach: "contribute tools for developers building new experiences on Linux, compel hardware manufacturers to prioritize support for Linux, and ultimately deliver an elegant and open platform for Linux users." Though Valve's already firing on all fronts (the Steam client for Linux, the Steam Machines reference hardware, and the promise of SteamOS and Steam Machines in 2014), Sartain says The Linux Foundation membership will galvanize that commitment even more. Valve is joining companies like Sony, NVIDIA and Twitter in the silver tier, meaning Valve contributes an annual membership fee of anywhere from $5K to $20K.
Steam Box prototype from iBuyPower [Update]
Wow. This is a prototype Steam Machines box from iBuyPower, courtesy of our friends at Engadget. The box comes in two flavors (codenamed "Gordon" and "Freeman," of course), as the center strip is either clear or black when not illuminated with varying colors. Much glow. While iBuyPower wasn't willing to share the specs of its version of the Steam-powered hardware, it said the system will run Steam games at 60 frames per second in 1080p. The system is expected to be ready for a 2014 launch, and the two prototype models currently run an early build of SteamOS, the operating system Valve announced would be on its own Steam Machines hardware. Both were announced alongside a Steam Controller in September. Very Steam Box. Much update: The Verge reports that the system will include a "multicore AMD CPU and a discrete AMD Radeon R9 270 graphics card" and comes with a 500 GB hard drive, bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. That CPU is very core.
Here's the first non-Valve Steam Machine prototype, care of iBuyPower (update: specs)
That game console headlining this text? It isn't a white PS4: it's a commercial Steam Machines box, or at least a prototype of one. iBuyPower tells us that it's building the box for a 2014 launch, but says it's still early. The company says the prototypes are running an early build of Steam OS, but it's not quite a finished product. That rings true of our impressions of Valve's own reference model, which hosted a version of that same OS devoid of media playback and streaming options and had a very limited selection of games. iBuyPower tells us that it actually has two models, codenamed Gordon and Freeman, in the works. The two consoles are identical, save for the light bar round the middle -- one model's is clear, while the other's is black when not illuminated. And, while the company wouldn't tell us about the boxes' internals, it did confirm that the hardware will run all Steam titles in 1080p resolution at 60fps. Not as much info as we'd like to know, but still, it's good to see hints of what we'll see from Steam Machines when they hit the market -- though we'll likely have to wait until CES to see them in action. Update: The Verge reports that the Steam Machine will pack a multi-core AMD CPU, AMD Radeon R9 270 graphics card and be bundled with one of Valve's Steam Controllers for $499 when it arrives. It's not clear which model that list of specs and price tag apply to, but we've reached out to iBuyPower for clarification and will update once more as soon as we find out.
Steam In-Home Streaming locks down the host computer
Valve has published a Q&A on Steam In-Home Streaming, the company's experiment on streaming games from one PC to any other in the house – specifically, the living room. While the Q&A is light on info, it does at least clarify two points regarding computer functionality while streaming and playing streamed games over the internet. While it's engaged in streaming, no one will be able to use the original PC serving games through In-Home Streaming. "No, your computer is dedicated to running the game and input is coming from both the remote client and the local system. It would be very confusing if someone were trying to use the computer at the same time," the Q&A reads. In addition to that, Internet streaming is "currently" not supported. You'll have to rely on local network streaming to enjoy the functionality when the beta launches before year's end. Steam In-Home Streaming is one piece of a three-pronged solution Valve has proposed for getting PC games into the living room. The company hopes to create an open gaming network, combining streaming with customizable Steam Machines and a Linux-based SteamOS. The In-Home Streaming beta will be opened to random Steam users pulled from the In-Home Streaming community group.
Steam In-Home Streaming beta opens this year
Steam will begin the beta for its home streaming system this year – what's left of this year, at least – with candidates chosen at random from members of the Homestream group on Steam. In-Home Streaming will allow users to stream games from one computer to any other in the same house, Steam says. Steam In-Home Streaming is the backbone of Valve's Steam Machines, its customizable gaming hardware, and SteamOS, its Linux-based operating system. With all of these pieces, Valve hopes to create open, in-home gaming networks connecting the desktop to the couch.
Gamers can now apply to beta test Steam's In-Home Streaming service
A big part of Valve's steamy vision of the future will be the ability to play full-fledged PC games on a relatively small living room machine, by streaming them to the Steam client from a main gaming PC in another room. (Much like Remote Play on the PS4 and Vita, or NVIDIA's GameStreaming from a PC to its Shield handheld.) Although the SteamOS and Steam Machine projects are still a long way off, Valve says it'll start beta testing of this particular feature by the end of this year. Testers will be randomly selected from among members of the relevant Steam Community group, so join up at the source link to put your name in the hat.
