Steam hardware finally comes to fruition
It feels like an eternity since Valve first began talking about Steam Machines, those console-like PCs that run a custom version of Linux called Steam OS. The holdup has been Valve's insistence on getting the Steam Controller just right, and apparently that's no longer an issue. Effective immediately, you can finally pre-order a Steam Machine, along with a Steam Controller and Steam Link, a device that connects to your home network so that you stream your PC's existing library of Steam titles to a Steam Machine.
Valve, GameStop, EB Games, Micromania, and GAME UK are all taking pre-orders for Steam hardware devices. The official launch is November 10, though as part of an exclusive partnership, customers in the U.S. can pre-order an Alienware Steam Machine, Steam Link, and/or a Steam Controller from GameStop (or direct from Valve) and have the order arrive October 16, three weeks ahead of launch.
"We have collaborated for years with Valve and GameStop to develop a platform with the best content, the best performance, and the best value compared to anything else on the market. Finally, with this preorder, we have a chance to address the building anticipation for the latest and greatest gaming system," said Frank Azor, general manager of Alienware and XPS, Dell. "It's been a blast playing on our Alienware Steam Machines with our friends and family over recent months; it's really exciting to finally share that experience with our community of gamers."
Dell isn't kidding when it says it's been collaborating with Valve for years. Steam Machines were initially supposed to release a year ago, but Valve threw a wrench into those plans by delaying the launch until this year. That left hardware partners like Dell stuck with pre-configured Steam Machine designs, and rather than toss those by the wayside, they sold them as PC consoles running Windows.
That all changes today. The Steam Controller is finished and available to pre-order for $49, the same price as the Steam Link. Steam Machines from Alienware and other manufacturers start at $449
Syber, a new division of CyberPower, is also taking pre-orders for its Steam Machine series. There are three models to choose from ranging in price from $499 to $1,419. The least expensive models comes with an Intel Core i3 4160, GeForce GTX 750 graphics card, 4GB of RAM, 500GB hard drive, 250W SFX PSU, and a black or white case.
From maximumpc
from http://bit.ly/1KHrHUb
