The ROG GR8 a.k.a the Asus Steam Machine
Asus released a range of PC gaming products at Computex, but one of them should be the company’s future Steam Machine.
The console-sized Asus ROG GR8 is currently a gaming PC desktop, but an Asus press release states the little box is also compatible with Valve’s SteamOS and the associated Steam Controller.
“The first GR8 runs Windows 8.1 and is fully compatible with Steam OS and the Steam Controller. A SteamOS-powered ROG GR8 will be launched at a later date in alignment with Valve’s Steam Machine schedule”, reads the official Asus Republic of Gamers press release.
It comes with an Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeFore GTX 750Ti graphics. Although the ROG GR8 will have a removable side panel allowing access to storage and memory, it sounds like the rest of the hardware will be locked down.
The GR8 does come with four USB 3.0 and two USB 2.0 ports, DisplayPort and HDMI video connections and supports gigabit Ethernet and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.
Thanks to Miracast support, the ROG GR8 can even stream video content to compatible HDTV sets.
There’s no word as to when the SteamOS model will arrive, but the PC desktop edition will launch sometime in Q3, at least in the US.
The news of the Asus Steam Machine comes just a week after the news that the Valve Steam Machine console launch has been pushed back until 2015.
In an official blog post, product design Eric Hope revealed that Valve’s living room gaming platform isn’t quite ready to be released to consumers, mostly due to the Steam Controller.
“Realistically, we’re now looking at a release window of 2015, not 2014,” said Hope. “Obviously, we’re just as eager as you are to get a Steam Machine in your hands. But our number one priority is making sure that when you do, you’ll be getting the best gaming experience possible.”
It looks like the Steam Controller is posing the most complicated development issues for Valve, who are now using wireless prototype controllers for live playtests.
“It’s generating a ton of useful feedback, and it means we’ll be able to make the controller a lot better”, added Hope.
Read more: Steam Machine specs and prices: Everything you need to know