It’s no secret by now that Valve’s reveal of the Steam Machine was a huge surprise for everyone, considering its silence (albeit warranted) after the Steam Deck OLED’s launch in 2023 on any potential new PC gaming hardware.
While we’re not quite there yet with a Steam Deck successor to possibly join the ranks of the best handheld game consoles, we’re receiving a powerhouse gaming system (in comparison to Valve’s handheld) that has briefly shaken up the console gaming space, based on initial reception.
1. PC couch gaming is about to blossom
PC gaming from the couch on a huge TV isn’t unheard of. Matter of fact, it’s something that I do frequently for games or movies when I need a break from sitting at my desktop after working, but not everyone has a long enough HDMI cable to facilitate that (the one I bought wasn’t cheap either).
Custom gaming PCs and their chassis are not usually designed to fit under or on TV units, and while small PC builds and mini-PCs exist, they’re not very mainstream.
The Steam Machine completely changes that narrative, entering the console-like gaming sphere with a design that’s specifically made for TV and couch gaming, thanks to its small chassis, which is so small that gamers are lauding it as the ‘Gabecube’ (honestly, thank you Gabe Newell), striking a very familiar look to Nintendo’s Gamecube.
PC couch gaming will likely now become a normality for a wider range of PC gamers, whether that’s by buying a Steam Machine, or building a small form factor custom PC with SteamOS (likely Bazzite) installed.
2. Potential influx of console players
I’ve noticed a lot of gamers who are console-only suggest a potential move over to the PC ecosystem over the last few years. However, the limiting factor has always been the worry of unfamiliarity with PC components, maintenance, and configurations.
With the Steam Machine, that’s no longer an obstacle for gamers looking to make the shift, as there will be no need to worry about building the system from scratch, nor will there be any concern about replacing the CPU or GPU, as both are soldered onto the Steam Machine’s motherboard.
As far as we know, the only interchangeable components are the system’s SSD and RAM, with the former being no different from a game console’s basic teardown, and the latter being slightly more involved.
Acknowledging this, I have zero doubts that we will see an influx of console gamers making their way over to PC. Since this is SteamOS we’re talking about, this opens up so many doors, specifically regarding Steam Families, as sharing games with close family or friends will be easier for individuals who may have been solo (like me) on PC before the Steam Machine’s arrival.
3. Extra developer pressure for better PC ports and optimization
If there’s one thing I’ve noticed that plays an integral part in why PC players usually get the short end of the stick with game ports compared to console players, it’s the wide variety of PC configurations that exist. That’s not to excuse poor game optimization, but rather to highlight why it’s such a common issue, and the introduction of the Steam Machine could change that.
With one mainstream configuration, just like a Sony or Microsoft console, game developers may be pressured to ensure their games are up to standard performance-wise before launching on the Steam Machine. Since it’s also seen as an entry-level gaming PC, that should have a knock-on effect for a wider range of low-end gaming PC configurations, receiving PC ports that arrive with better polish.
This would be helped further if the Steam Machine manages to become a massive hit in the market, and if Valve uses the Deck Verified category for Steam Machine games as something along the lines of ‘Machine Verified’ (and that’s exactly what I’m expecting it to do).
4. Third-party manufacturers create similar builds
In the event that consumers buy the Steam Machine when it launches in 2026, and they’re not pleased with its performance capabilities, it seems likely that Valve is opening the door for third-party manufacturers to build similar mini hybrid PC consoles that use SteamOS, with more powerful hardware.
This was highlighted by our friends at PC Gamer, and with the likes of Framework, which manufactures modular laptops, it wouldn’t be a shock to see if we get third-party models from other OEMs like MSI, Lenovo, Asus, who decide to introduce more powerful offerings later down the line.
Now, it’s not like mini-PCs with more powerful processors don’t exist, as there’s plenty already available. The difference is if Valve specifically chooses to expand SteamOS official compatibility and licenses for these mini-PCs, and the Steam Machine gives it the ideal opportunity to make it happen.
For now, Valve’s motto seems to be ensuring gaming performance is at an acceptable standard with the demanding modern-day titles we’re getting, while also not including expensive hardware that will ultimately spoil the appeal of affordability – and I’m here for it.
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