Hi everyone!

I had been a Playstation user since the first one and I own the fifth one.

After using Linux for years on weak computers for my admin, I decided to try Linux gaming in 2025 and bought a used LCD Steam Deck.

While I’ve been enjoying the Steam Deck, it hurts my neck and isn’t powerful enough for sim racing games.

Naturally, I was happy to learn that the Steam Machine was coming and was willing to invest up to CHF1000.- (~$1236) to get it.

Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.

So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.

My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.

What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?

Thanks in advance for your help.

  • grue@lemmy.worldEnglish
    12·
    8 hours ago

    The only real reasons to get a Steam Machine are if:

    1. You really want your computer to be a 6" cube
    2. You really want HDMI CEC support
    3. You really want to give your money to Valve instead of some other company

    Otherwise, something else will be cheaper and/or faster, at the cost of being a more normal desktop size and shape.

    I haven’t had a prebuilt desktop since I was 15, so I would definitely build my own. (In other words, if the thing stopping you is being nervous about screwing it up, don’t be because it isn’t actually hard.)

    Otherwise, I don’t have any specific prebuilt brand recommendations for you, but I’ll echo the advice to get something with a Radeon 9060 XT (or better). Alternatively, if you think you might want to do AI things with it too instead of just gaming, consider a small-form-factor PC with a fast APU and a lot of unified memory (e.g. like the Framework Desktop or Minisforum MS-S1 Max) or a Radeon RX 7900 XTX (with 24GB RAM), but be aware that those would be a lot more expensive right now.

    • FearMeAndDecay@literature.cafeEnglish
      1·
      3 hours ago

      Not op but to give my perspective, I’m not a computer person, and I’m on the waitlist for a steam machine for a few reasons:

      1. I’m terrified of breaking the expensive computer parts if I tried to build my own computer. That’s potentially a lot of money to waste
      2. I don’t even know enough about computers to know which parts are good. I’ve looked into it, and I could probably create a decent grocery list for myself, but I have no personal sense of what’s good or bad
      3. I want to switch to Linux gaming and the steam machine offers Linux gaming in a prebuilt package. I don’t have to download Linux or proton myself, or pick which distro I want to use. I want to just boot up the steam machine and have things work. (I got Kubuntu for myself on my laptop to try Linux but even that was scary for me. Progress takes time and the steam machine offers an easier learning curve)
      4. I get valve support if something doesn’t work or needs fixing

      I’d like to one day get to the point where I can build my own computer and be confident on Linux. But for now, the steam machine offers an ease of access that I’m willing to pay more for. Hopefully the steam machine can inspire people who’ve never even considered trying Linux to give it a go on their other devices as well