...a living room machine is just a home theater PC. Everyone I know who has a big-screen TV in their living room has one, usually a micro-ATX or mini-ITX tower running a low-end desktop APU... and usually built by me (usually for around $300). They're a lot better for putting internet video on your TV than some locked-architecture PowerPC processor-running POS (they also function as a replacement for a blu-ray player... and they play basic games, store and display photos, et cetera), and this way you don't need to take your dedicated gaming rig out of its traditional desk-borne habitat (also, you don't need to make room for a gigantic PC tower in your entertainment center).Crazy Zaul said:
Because, depending on your setup, doing that can be more trouble than it's worth. For one, I don't think most people have TVs that you can do the direct streaming thing, and trying to move a big desktop over so that I can hook my 5 foot HDMI cable to it is a huge pain in the ass. Plus, from my understanding, most wireless controllers take some finnicking to get working right on PC, and trying to use most wired PC controllers, which generally have fairly short cables, when you're trying to play games on a tv just sucks.Jadak said:
It still looks to me like a workaround rather than a proper solution to the problem. It's still a great first step, but I really hope the the SteamBox won't need a powerhouse middleman to play the majority of my games forever. Then again, the announcement pretty much admits that they haven't got some details sussed and they're working on it, so hopefully they'll let the Box work standalone in the future.Adam Jensen said:
Yes you're right, the reality is this won't change a thing. End of the day it will just become another Linux Distro used by a minor number of people who will continue to dual boot with whatever version of Windows they choose to use. You'll have the die hards who will talk it up like it's the best thing they have ever used, you'll have their opposite number who think it's just a pointless waste of time (I guess I sit in that camp) and then you'll have the vast majority who will just want whatever is the easiest thing to use and end of the day that will be the Windows powered system.
Just to inform you regarding the command line issue. To say you don't like it because of command line and because "it's better" as an excuse means you should stop using windows because using it's command line (cmd) is better too. That is to say, they like to just type commands weather its Linux or Windows. As far as using it with GUI like normal windows Linux can do it just as well as OSX and Windows, if not better.SinisterGehe said:
Thats what it looks like, we need more information to say much beyond that.aattss said:
What I am really curious about is what market is really going to adapt to something like a SteamBox/SteamOS for I remember the outcry against Microsoft with the features they were talking about with the Xbox One with requiring online handshakes every 24 hours, the ability not to resell games, unable to give a friend your copy of a game, less emphasis on disk based content making it more digital. All those concerns are what Steam is about and I can't see a person who has a console is going to be interested in those features when they were abandoning Microsoft when they mentioned they were included. Maybe I am reading it wrong.ReleGamer said:
The comparison in attitudes towards DRM is interesting. I think it would sit easier with the consumers though. From what i am seeing the SteamBox could be a piece of kit that compliments your existing system and Steam Library. Also the possibility of third party hardware/configurations using SteamOS could bring a high fidelity, plug n' play gaming console that is cost effective (whilst also sharing games across your account). I'm interested to see how it develops as it is certainly early days.Sanunes said:
Because windows 8. Notch hates windows 8 with a passion. So what he does? he creates his own OS.Nocturnus said:
To be honest they got a lot better about it. I reinstall my Win7 only once 1.5 years or so and not because it trashes itself either. While it does have some bloat its way less than XP and previuos versions.Deathlyphil said:
BUy new console every... 7 years?Lilani said:
but do you have to be best of the best? or would a adequate off-the-shelf pre-built PC that works for 5 years without problems as lnog as you dont decide to "boost" it and has enough power to plow though the next generation games be enough? Building PCs is like collecting stamps. some people like to do it, but you dont have to. you can use stamps without being a collector.sirjeffofshort said:
I was excited until I read this. You will still need Windows or Mac to run the games. Was I wrong in hoping it would be an entirely new OS?Andy Chalk said: