Valve engineer confirms Linux-based Steambox for 2013, could appear at GDC or E3

[Burns11]

Those are all advantages of a PC, and the counterpoint of consoles still apply. Only now you add the disadvantages of a console, no general purpose OS, no upgradeable gpu (the prototype they've shown and specs that have leaked were onboard gpu). On top of all that, I'd wager it will be moderately e expensive. So, as we know it, it's a pc in console clothes with none of the real advantages but inherits many of the disadvantages.

[Cod]

Valve has already confirmed that the Steam Box is not a console and is not going to be. Its a living room PC. Basically, its going to be a medium-to-high end HTPC. From the looks / sounds of it, Steam Box will be a lot like the Alienware X51 (http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-x51/pd), but cheaper.

Also, if rumors are true, the system will have modular upgradability.

[mestevo]

What does modular upgrades even mean in this instance? You'll have to buy specific parts from specific compatible suppliers for your "living room PC" - a la the Xbox's HDD, the Vita's memory cards? Surely can't just buy whatever you'd like since it will need Linux drivers. Living room-centric mouse, keyboard, controller included? That's another $80-100 on top of that X51 price. And they expect 3rd parties to want to make their own version too?

I'm just not sure what problem a Steambox solves if it's $700+ and economies of scale don't let that price come down quickly. Especially if it comes out late this year and has year+ old hardware in it. There won't be any exclusives for it because there won't be enough sold, so what're they going to give us, free Valve games for x years?

I expect when the dust settles, "Steambox" will just be big picture mode, in the end this is still Valve just throwing a fit over Windows 8.

What do I know though, people have been overpaying for brand name computers for a long time. I look forward to seeing what they bring to the table... just don't see how it all adds up currently.

[mestevo]

They've got a long way to go to get to the class of that Alienware on the previous page... http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/1...r#.UOupHG-un7I

Hands on: http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/h...lar-pc-at-ces/

[Burns11]

This might not be that one, but wow.

http://www.xi3.com/news.php?id=708

Based on the specs, I'd say it has an A10-4600M Trinity APU, base model could even be an A8 (these are laptop models)

Quote:

Xi3’s new X7A Modular Computer is designed specifically for gamers, engineers and power users. Housed in the standard Xi3 chassis that measures 4.27x3.656x3.656-inches, the X7A Modular Computer packs a real wallop, especially for a machine roughly the size of a grapefruit that draws a mere 40Watts of power. The X7A Modular Computer is available with up to A quad-core 64-bit, x86-based 32nm processor running at up to 3.2GHz (with 4MB of Level2 Cache), An integrated graphics processor (GPU) containing up to 384 programmable graphics cores (or shaders), 4GB—8GB of DDR3 RAM, 64GB—1TB of internal solid-state SSD storage (with up to 12Gbps throughput speeds), Three display ports providing maximum resolution of 4096x2160 (including 1 DisplayPort v1.2 and 2 Mini-DisplayPorts v1.2), Four eSATAp 3.0 ports, Four USB 3.0 ports, Four USB 2.0 ports, 1Gb Ethernet port, and Three audio ports (1 input and 2 outputs: 1 copper and 1 optical). Designed to be used as a standalone machine or in clustered configurations, the X7A will run any x86-based Operating System, including Windows 8 and lower, Linux, UNIX, etc. Prices for quad-core versions of the X7A Modular Computer will begin at $1,100, with General Availability starting in February 2013.

$1,100

That's just nuts.

[mestevo]

That's it. The hands on above has all of those ports. Their cheapest modular computer starts at $499.

[Money99]

If this box allows me to play MLB2K12 with mods, I'm in.

[CaptainZombie]

That thing is the size of your palm. How in the world will this thing not have any overheating but it's designed as on big *** looking heat sink.