Gamers are now able to pre-order the first official Steam Machines, gaming PCs running Valve Software’s Linux distribution Steam OS. A selection of devices that have been approved as Steam Machines by the developer can be ordered alongside the cross-platform Steam Controller and the Steam Link, with the initial devices under the Steam Machine program expected to ship to customers on November 10.
The selection of PCs, available via GameStop and Valve’s online store in the United States as well as other retailers around the world, contains quite a few major names in PC building. Systems from Alienware, Origin PC, iBuyPower, and Asus all make an appearance on the list, with some computers already being sold as compact Windows-based gaming PCs.
Alienware Steam Machine
The Steam Link is a small set-top box that streams content from a PC onto a television, in a similar manner to the existing in-home streaming Steam currently offers, except it is a dedicated device instead of a repurposed PC. The Steam Controller has gone through a number of different iterations, but has also been put up for sale. Each are able to be run on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, as well as Steam OS, with the Steam Link also able to accept other input devices as well as the Steam Controller.
Both the Steam Link and Steam Controller cost $50, with both able to be acquired in a bundle for $100. While the official launch date for both items is November 10, Valve will be shipping a limited number of units on October 16 to those pre-ordering early.
