Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

[DaveDQ]

I noticed this in a recent dell mailer I received.

http://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/productdetails/alienware-alpha?~ck=mn

Starts at 549.00.

[mestevo]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

It looks decent (especially if it can be nabbed during typical Dell sales).

Just be wary of other Steam partners shoving their boxes out the door impatiently waiting for Steam OS.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasoneva...th-your-money/

[Picci]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

You can start reserving your Steam Machine. Starting price is $449. You can also pre-order at GameStop too.

Get yours before launch when you pre-order now
A limited quantity of orders will be shipped October 16th, weeks in advance of our official launch. Pre-order now and be among Steam Hardware’s first wave of users.



The Alienware Steam Machine combines the awesome experience of console gaming with a massive library of over 1000 games, all in full 1080p HD on your TV. You’ll experience powerful and immersive gaming with the high performance NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX GPU 2GB GDDR5 graphics and Intel® Core processors. Be in total command with the Steam Controller, which controls your moves like no other game controller before it. Have a game on your PC that you want to play on your TV? Not a problem as the Alienware Steam Machine can stream any Steam game on your home network to your TV. The Alienware Steam Machine gives you quick and easy access to thousands of your favorite Steam games, entertainment, and access to the largest community of gamers in the world with no membership fee.

[Burns11]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

What's with the cagey details on the GPU?

[mestevo]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

It's the same Alpha they released last year but with a 7200rpm HDD.

a dual-core Intel Core i3 processor, GeForce 860M+ graphics and 4GB of RAM

So even more outdated in October when they ship.

[PAPERNUT]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

Been using the Alpha since Jan. and it is a surprising machine. It has played everything I have thrown at it and it is a great supplement to my other consoles to get those PC titles that miss the consoles, but I agree on the hardware being outdated when the Steam version releases. I would look into the other Steam Machines that have the ability to change the GPU as the Alienware cannot be changed. If Valve could get their act together on this, these boxes could be a hit.

[Picci]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

There are more models with more beef but at a hefty price. The Alienware Alpha is a Windows based hybrid product that allows you to treat it as a functional desktop with Alpha U.I. The Alienware Steam Machine is SteamOS based, designed solely as a gaming console. You can tell they're targeting the console players. If you want to pay so much more, you're probably better off building your own rig.

[boomhauertjs]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

I need to upgrade our PC and I'm not interested in upgrading from my 360, so I'm thinking about getting a PC that can handle gaming. I'm very interested in the Alpha, but my fear is that with the 2GB GPU, it's not going to be able to handle new games in less than 2 years (with no option for upgrading). I don't care if it's not able to handle high end graphics, but I want to be able to at least play the games.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

I just picked up the 8 GB i5 model after tons of research. It seems it can even handle newer games like The Witcher 3 at console-like (or sometimes better) settings.

Does anyone know if it's possible to use it to its fullest with only the Xbox 360 controller? I don't own a keyboard/mouse.

Initial impressions from last year said yes but some Amazon reviews said otherwise, stating a keyboard/mouse was necessary even just for the initial setup.

Will I need to buy a K/M now too?

[PAPERNUT]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

I just picked up the 8 GB i5 model after tons of research. It seems it can even handle newer games like The Witcher 3 at console-like (or sometimes better) settings.

Does anyone know if it's possible to use it to its fullest with only the Xbox 360 controller? I don't own a keyboard/mouse.

Initial impressions from last year said yes but some Amazon reviews said otherwise, stating a keyboard/mouse was necessary even just for the initial setup.

Will I need to buy a K/M now too?

More in my PM, but here is the one I use now

http://www.walmart.com/ip/17253322?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000987195&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=40880346152&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78810085952&veh=sem

There are also shortcuts they added to the 360 controller to use it as a mouse as well, but it is much easier just using a keyboard.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

More in my PM, but here is the one I use now

http://www.walmart.com/ip/17253322?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227000987195&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=t&wl3=40880346152&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78810085952&veh=sem

There are also shortcuts they added to the 360 controller to use it as a mouse as well, but it is much easier just using a keyboard.

Oh ok! That answers one of the questions in my PM back to you.

I'll probably just pick up that too.

Thanks so much for everything.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

WARNING:

I bought my Alienware Alpha BRAND NEW on Amazon but the seller had apparently registered the console 3 months ago. Dell informed me of this when I called them for general help with setup.

Hopefully Amazon can sort this out or at least get me the seller's name so I can actually register it under my name (I can't without it).

So it's essentially a good conditioned used console.

Jeez.

I'm going to ask for a partial refund too.

[PAPERNUT]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

That sucks. I hear that story everyday as I work for an online retailer and many get caught up in the sold by Amazon, but fulfilled by JoescheapPc.com racket and end up with a used/refurbished product with no valid warranty and more. Hopefully you can get a refund or have them send you a legit new product with full warranty. I'm guessing you did not get your free games either....

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

That sucks. I hear that story everyday as I work for an online retailer and many get caught up in the sold by Amazon, but fulfilled by JoescheapPc.com racket and end up with a used/refurbished product with no valid warranty and more. Hopefully you can get a refund or have them send you a legit new product with full warranty. I'm guessing you did not get your free games either....

I'm not sure about my free games. Several are showing up in my Steam Library (keep in mind this was my first time on Steam), including Metro Last Light which I know was free for Alienware Alpha adopters.

That said I haven't tried to download them so I'm not sure if Valve will try and charge me or not. And I think I only had 6 or 7. I thought there was supposed to be 10. Am I wrong?

[PAPERNUT]

Re: Alienware Alpha, Steam Based Console

Should come bundled with free complete versions of Anomaly: Warzone Earth, Awesomenauts, Magicka, Metro: Last Light, PAYDAY 2 and Strike Suit Zero. Will also include an exclusive Gauntlet in-game item, the Magicka: Dungeons and Daemons DLC, as well as demos of Defense Grid 2 and Super Splatters. If they in your Steam library now, then you just have to download them to play.