Valve's prototype Steam Machine
Valve has shown off its first Steam Machine prototype ahead of the PC-console hybrid launching in 2014.
The developer behind the massive Half Life and Portal series, as well as the massively popular Steam PC game distribution platform, will launch its own range of home console-like PCs next year.
We now have more of an idea about what these Steam Machines will look like thanks to a Seattle Times feature on the local company. In short, it’ll look quite a lot like the Xbox One. Valve is clearly going by the same 'unassuming digital recorder box' design philosophy as its newfound console rivals.
Of course, this is just an internally produced prototype intended for testing purposes. When it comes to the final retail models, Valve will only be providing the Linux-based SteamOS upon which its Steam Machines will run. The actual hardware part will come from a number of manufacturing partners.
Valve will offer these prototype units to 300 beta testers by the end of the year, and the specs for this early model are pretty beefy.
As we reported last month, the full prototype spec list reads as follows:
- GPU: some units with Nvidia Titan, some GTX780, some GTX760, and some GTX660
- CPU: some boxes with Intel i7-4770, some i5-4570, and some i3
- RAM: 16GB DDR3-1600 (CPU), 3GB GDDR5 (GPU)
- Storage: 1TB/8GB Hybrid SSHD
- Power Supply: Internal 450w 80Plus Gold
- Dimensions: approx. 12 x 12.4 x 2.9-inches high
Users will also be able to build their own Steam Machines from off-the-shelf PC components, and the intention is that all pre-built Steam Machines can be upgraded.
Hopefully we’ll see something a little more concrete on Valve’s full Steam Machine plans at CES 2014 in January.
Next, read our Xbox One vs PS4 comparison.
