The Revolutionary Living Room Gaming Console That Changed PC Gaming Forever
Discover the LegacyThe Steam Machine was Valve's ambitious attempt to bring PC gaming into the living room. Launched in 2015, these Linux-based gaming consoles ran on SteamOS and were manufactured by various OEM partners including Alienware, Zotac, Syber, and more. Each Steam Machine offered different hardware configurations, giving gamers the flexibility of PC gaming with the convenience of a console experience.
While the Steam Machine didn't achieve commercial success, it laid the groundwork for Valve's future innovations, including the wildly successful Steam Deck. The lessons learned from Steam Machine's development directly influenced the creation of Proton compatibility layer and refined SteamOS, technologies that power modern Linux gaming today.
Built on a custom Linux distribution optimized for gaming, offering a console-like interface with the power of PC gaming underneath.
Choose from various manufacturers like Alienware, Zotac, and Syber, each offering different specs and price points to match your needs.
Unlike traditional consoles, Steam Machines featured upgradeable components, allowing you to enhance performance over time.
Instant access to thousands of games from your Steam library, with native Linux support and streaming capabilities.
Bundled with the innovative Steam Controller featuring dual trackpads and extensive customization options for any game.
Stream games from your main PC to your Steam Machine or use Steam Link to extend gaming to any room in your house.
Connect your Steam Machine to your TV via HDMI, plug in the Steam Controller, and power on the device. The initial setup wizard will guide you through network configuration and Steam account login.
Once logged in, your entire Steam library appears in the SteamOS interface. Games with native Linux support can be downloaded and played directly, while others can be streamed from your Windows PC.
Customize your Steam Controller settings for each game. The controller's versatile trackpads and buttons can be mapped to keyboard and mouse inputs for maximum compatibility.
Launch your games from the Big Picture mode interface and enjoy PC gaming from the comfort of your couch. Switch to desktop mode anytime for full Linux desktop access.
Specifications varied by manufacturer. Here's an example from the Alienware Steam Machine:
How does the original Steam Machine compare to its spiritual successor?
| Feature | Steam Machine (2015) | Steam Deck (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Living room console | Handheld portable device |
| Operating System | SteamOS 2.0 (Debian-based) | SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based) |
| Hardware | Multiple OEM configurations | Unified AMD APU design |
| Game Compatibility | Native Linux games only | Proton enables Windows game support |
| Price Range | $449 - $1,500+ | $399 - $649 |
| Market Success | Limited adoption, discontinued | Highly successful, ongoing |
| Legacy | Pioneered SteamOS and living room gaming | Realized the vision with portable form |
Steam Machines are no longer in production and were officially discontinued by most manufacturers by 2018. However, you may find used units on secondary markets like eBay or local classifieds. For a modern alternative, consider the Steam Deck, which represents the evolution of Valve's living room gaming vision in a portable format.
Several factors contributed to Steam Machine's limited success: limited native Linux game library at launch, confusing variety of hardware configurations from different OEMs, high prices compared to traditional consoles, and the Steam Controller's learning curve. Additionally, the market wasn't ready for a Linux-based gaming platform, and Windows PCs offered better game compatibility.
Steam Machines could natively play games with Linux support, which included popular titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Team Fortress 2, and many indie games. Users could also stream Windows-only games from a Windows PC using Steam's in-home streaming feature. At launch, the Linux library was limited, but it grew significantly over the years.
Yes, most Steam Machines could run Windows as they were essentially compact PCs. Many users chose to install Windows 10 to access a larger game library. Valve didn't officially support this, but the hardware was compatible. Installing Windows would give you access to the full Steam catalog and other PC game stores.
Steam Machine taught Valve crucial lessons that shaped the Steam Deck. The development of SteamOS, the importance of game compatibility (leading to Proton), and understanding what gamers wanted in a console-like PC experience all came from Steam Machine. The Steam Deck succeeded by offering a unified hardware design, portable form factor, and vastly improved Windows game compatibility through Proton.
SteamOS 2.0, which shipped with Steam Machines, received limited updates after the product line was discontinued. However, you can install SteamOS 3.0 (the Steam Deck's operating system) on compatible hardware, though official support is primarily for the Steam Deck. Many Steam Machine owners have switched to other Linux distributions or Windows for better support and game compatibility.
While Steam Machines are part of gaming history, the vision lives on with Steam Deck and modern PC gaming.
Discover Steam Deck