Steam Machine not available in my country. What would you do?
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.
Edit and update:
Thank you all for your answers and useful links! You gave me some great advices!
In the end, I'll keep using a combo of Steam Deck and Playstation 5 for a while. The Steam Deck for almost every game, but more often than before docked to preserve my neck, and the Playstation 5 for demanding racing games or an eventual Last Of Us 3.
Then, around 2029, once my Playstation 5 is gonna be old and not upgradeable, I'll get a Linux gaming rig which is gonna be more powerful. At that time, I'll have a better disposable income, but I'd still want to pay around CHF 1000.- anyway.
It'll also allow me to fully emulate all my Playstation games which aren't available on PC, at least from PS1 to PS4 generations, and use these consoles as decoration for memories.
98 replies
Creating a mini-ITX system based on the 9060 is a pretty good alternative. It's gonna cost you, but so is the SM.
The Steam Machine itself is just a very fancy prebuilt PC - so while it is your preference, there's no reason a similar spec prebuilt wouldn't work too
Would you have any suggestion? I was looking at what tuxedo offers, but I’m a bit lost with the specs.
https://www.tuxedocomputers.com/en/Linux-Hardware/Linux-Computer-/-PCs/Alle-Systeme.tuxedo
Looks like anything above the nano pro is more powerful than the Steam machine as long as you don't pick the weakest GPU in the configurator.
Technically their Cube L w/ a 9060 XT 16GB outperforms the Steam Cube by a long shot (I'd guess 40-80%) and offers upgradeability but it's also wildly more expensive and a little bit bigger. It also comes with 32gb RAM at a minimum instead of the Cube's 16gb which contributes to the high price. Choosing an older GPU like the 7600 doesn't make too much sense cost and feature wise, for Couch gaming you'd want the newest FSR'n'stuff in a just-works manner.
Technically a full AMD system is best for SteamOS, but the most important piece is the GPU (do not chose an Nvidia whatsoever). Their Cube with AMD is outdated. It will work fine with the Ultra 5.
Beating the price point of the Steam Cube is almost impossible if bought new, even full diy systems have a hard time unless using used parts.
A regular pre-built with a 9060 XT 8GB can be had for about 10% less than the Steam Machine (900 Euro). That will be quite a bit faster and also upgradeable. The main advantage of the Steam Machine is the form factor and power consumption.
Where. I just checked with Geizhals, the only pre-built that comes somewhat close to the Cube is this HP (and I'd bet the build quality is shit, they did some nonsense that causes issues for om anything but Windows etc). And even that one with its mediocre CPU is still more expensive than the Cube.
With the Tuxedo you at least get modern hardware with no additional shenanigans and proper customer support (tho' that one will be hardware-only if you install SteamOS, but still). Sure you can get it cheaper elsewhere (about 300€ less for same performance as the Tuxedo if you buy some no-name pre-built from Amazon) and especially with diy, but knowing your hardware harmonizes with your OS (i.e. Linux) and doesn't contain bad surprises goes a VERY long way.
(I literally had a PSU in a pre-built catch fire without shutting down as a teenager, inside my wooden desk)
Keep in mind that the Steam Machine roughly has the CPU performance of a Ryzen 5 3600, so a 8400F should actually be quite a bit faster.
I filtered for the 9060 XT on Galaxus and got about 20 results below 1k EUR, e.g. this one for 844: https://www.galaxus.de/de/s1/producttype/pc-18?filter=347%3D7709265&so=5. But it seems that Galaxus mis-labeled the GPU, and it's the non-XT version 👎 This one for 899 EUR actually seems to have the XT though: https://www.galaxus.de/de/s1/product/kiebel-viper-v-1000-gb-16-gb-amd-ryzen-5-5500-radeon-rx-9060-xt-pc-69216705
I also linked a Mifcom machine in another post, this is the German equivalent for 900 EUR: https://www.mifcom.de/entry-gaming-pc-ryzen-5-8400f-rx-9060-id186 But, this also comes with the non-XT version and selecting the 9060 XT 8 GB pushes it to 1059 EUR.
Edit: I guess the RX 9060 non-XT should still be quite a bit faster than the Steam Machine though, it's just bad if the retailers (and me) mix them up.
Huh, I stand corrected. I didn't expect the Cube to be well below a 8400F.
Though I'd still expect higher quality from Tuxedo over the absolute cheapest pre-built, as well as the thing with Linux compatibility of all parts and Customer Support. Still bet Mifcom used the cheapest shit everywhere including for parts you should never cheap out on, like the power supply.
On another note, I'm almost sure Steve at some point ranted about how stupid modern GPUs with 8gb VRAM are and that you should never buy them… 🤔
It's clear that you're making some trade-offs with a 1000 EUR gaming PC in the current memory shortage.
What looks nice about Mifcom is that they give you 3 years of warranty, use standard components, show you what they are, and allow you to change those. But, indeed the PSU looks very cheap and I have never personally ordered from them.
With Tuxedo you certainly gain better Linux (Tuxedo OS) support, but they're also rather expensive.
I would do what I always do and build my own computer. But as for what you should do, probably get a pre-built with AMD GPU, without operating system to avoid paying for Windows, and then follow Valve's instructions here to install SteamOS: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/65B4-2AA3-5F37-4227
What others are saying plus install bazzite
Raid a data center.
I'd just build my own PC, duh.
Never understood the hype behind pre-builts. Over half the fun of owning a gaming PC is picking your own parts and assembling it yourself. By having someone else do that part, you're robbing yourself of the joy of owning your own custom machine.
Plenty of people just want an appliance to play games.
I build my own, but that's because I want to save money. Actually picking the parts and figuring out compatibility, specs, etc is my least favorite exercise. Luckily I have a friend who cares way more about that, so I tell them what I want to achieve and they give me a shopping list.
Hence why consoles exist.
Like the other person said, we have game consoles for that. That's fine if someone wants an appliance; buy one then. I just get frustrated when those same people go ahead and buy a pre-built made with low-end parts and insufficient cooling, then when one of those parts break, they blame it on PC gaming as a whole rather than realizing it's a result of their own incompetence. God forbid such a person runs into a minor inconvenience such as having to edit an .ini file...no, the "appliance" people should stay in their lane.
Right, a game console, such as the Steam Machine. And unlike traditional game consoles, you have options if Sony / Microsoft etc decide to increase prices or remove games from your existing library at will. Especially now that physical discs are going away.
La france est jamais bien loin :p
Tu as pas des amis avec une adresse en france?
Non c’est bien ça le problème, pas d’ami proche qui pourrait me rendre ce service, juste des connaissances.
Mais à la lecture des autres commentaires, je pense de plus en plus attendre et me construire/faire construire un pc gaming dans quelques années.
As I understand it, Steam Machines are not particularly powerful so I think it would be worth exploring pre-builts that are around what you want to spend to see if you can get something comparable or better. SteamOS will be available to install on all desktops at some point but in the meantime there are plenty of gaming focussed distros that will do a superb job. Unfortunately with memory prices the way they are you aren't really getting the same bang for your buck that you did previously, but there isn't much any of us can do about it at present. Good luck with it all, it is certainly a very exciting time to be getting into Linux gaming!
I just installed SteamOS on a mini PC that costs about half what the Steam Machine does (and less than the Deck under current pricing), and runs on an AMD 7840HS with 32GB of RAM in a form-factor that's the size of 3 stacked pieces of bread.
While that APU is likely powerful than the Steam machine's with its dedicated VRAM, I did test a few games and it definitely outperforms the Deck and the higher system RAM makes it potentially more versatile than either.
The only real reasons to get a Steam Machine are if:
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.
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:
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
I understand being intimidated. Under normal circumstances I'd say maybe try building a cheap computer for your first time, but there kinda aren't any right now. That said, my first one was a reasonably high-end machine for the time, and it turned out fine.
I feel like the biggest sticking point is actually #2, not #1. I was the kind of kid who was obsessively reading tech magazines/websites/newspaper ad flyers and knew exactly what I wanted and where to get the best deal on it. So yeah, I definitely recommend doing your research first.
But good news: you've got it easy these days with YouTube showing you what to get and how to assemble it instead of having to read. The parts themselves are easier these days, too: no jumpers to set, and almost everything is keyed to only fit one way. Short of being really inept/careless and bending CPU pins or snapping the edge connector off a PCB or something, you're not going to hurt anything.
The bottom line is, if you want to do it eventually you might as well do it now, because there really isn't that much to it.
Building a pc is no doubt scary if you are not used to it. It does make sense to own a pre-built first, just so you can become more familiar with the parts, but once you build, you are very unlikely to want a pre-built, and will also look at the specs of the steam machine and wonder why anyone would even consider it. Gaming is very easy on linux due to steam, you just install it and play games. Distro selection... well everyone has an opinion. I use Manjaro KDE because it is very user friendly.
All good and valid points!
As you say, progress takes time, have a good journey!
Thank you!
I would recommend a pre-built system for two reasons:
Do you think I would have to wait so much?
I’m not in a rush but 6 months would probably be too much.
Probably so, unfortunately. Every Steam Machine out there now has an owner, and that was all they could manufacture in the past six months.
By the sounds of things, there's also a lot of reservations out there without a Steam Machine to sell them, and given the RAM crisis, production likely isn't increasing.
It'll be a while before they're looking for more registrations.
I think they're expecting to take until the end of the year to work through their current reservation list (this might include the waiting list at the time but I'm not sure). I wouldn't hold my breath unless you're willing to pay one of the few scalpers on eBay.
If you're going with a small form factor DIY or some equivalent pre-built PC alternative, I strongly urge you to get an AMD GPU to get a good experience with Steam OS, Bazzite or some other Linux gaming distro.
I purchased my steam deck on the first day and logged in the moment they were available.
It was almost a calendar year before I got mine.
Is there any reason other than FOMO that you need a Steam Machine right now?
You could get a dock for your Steam Deck and play on a TV using a controller, that way it would be a larger screen that wouldn't hurt your neck.
I already have a dock and might be exploring waiting 3 more years until getting something more powerful.
To be honest, it’s only for the sim racing side that I really need something powerful. I tried Asseto Corsa Competizione on the big screen with my wheel and it was unplayable..
But I might just use my Playstation 5 for this for a few more years even if I wanted to get out of that ecosystem and fully enjoy Linux gaming.
Self built pc user here, but fellow sim racing degenerate.
ACC runs great on bazzite, though I have never played competitively. Got a g29 and works OOTB on Bazzite. The only extra step was downloading "oversteer" to adjust settings per game. You might need a different piece of software (from Bazaar aappstore) depending on your base's brand.
If you are somewhat inclined, I'd highly recommend building your own machine, especially if you have a nerdy friend, relative or coworker that could coach you along the way.
FWIW, here are some titles I've tried and ran without issues:
Depending on the usecase for your future machine, you can choose between regular and "deck" versions of bazzite. Deck versions boot straight to big picture mode, easier if you want it on your living room or as a dedicated simrig pc.
Go for amd and you'll have absolutely no issues, everything will run straight out of the install
But did you try these games on a big screen with the Deck?
I’ll try running ACC again because I’ve just watched the wrong settings video since it was unplayable.
I dont have a deck, I'm on LATAM so I don't even expect neither the deck nor the gabecube ever coming here...
Used to play it on my previous rig (ryzen 5 2400G + rx580) on lower settings. That's why I got hooked with AMS 2, ran far better 😁
Look into MiniPCs!
I'm not sure what will have availability in your country, but MinisForum, GMKTec, AOOSTAR would be where I'd start looking.
If you go for a MiniPC with an OcuLink external port... well, then you can get a GPU cradle and a small PSU for it, plug that in to MiniPC when you need the graphical power.
Its hard to find exact numbers on this, but basically, OcuLink appears to perform better than Thunderbolt 4 as a kind of eGPU data transfer method... there is some efficiency loss as compared to directly slotting it into a MoBo, but in practice, its often 10% or less.
And, now that FSR 4 works on 7000 series AMD GPUs, you may be able to find such a GPU that is cheaper, yet still performs somewhere between a Steam Machine and a more powerful PC.
This kind of setup is about as spatially small as a Steam Machine, and allows you the ability to upgrade to either a new GPU or MiniPC when you want to.
The MiniPC will be the CPU and storage memory and RAM.
MiniPCs often use laptop style SODIMM RAM and M.2 SSDs... so... if prices for those remain high, you can at least take those out of your old MiniPC, and then get a new 'barebones' MiniPC based around a newer CPU, and slot them into it.
Gruezi, I built my own steam machine, with the following specs:
The main difference with the steam machine is that it is larger, does not have HDMI-CEC (which turns on your TV automatically when the pc turns on, but I don't mind), or the official valve support, but frankly, my experience with steamOS has been stellar, I've run it for multiple months and I really love it. But with the official steam controller (which I'm also waiting on) I'm sure my experience would be close enough to perfect for myself. Good luck!
You built a pc, don't call it a steam machine, even if you are a zombie consumer.
Why not? It's running steam os. There were multiple versions of the original stream machine. It's just a desktop computer running steam os
It is a very poorly specced pc, that is not easy to maintain, comes with a single dimm of ram, is overpriced, and contains proprietary parts. The steam machine is a significant step backwards for personal computing.
I think you may be looking at it wrong. Its less of a "pc" in the traditional sense and more of a console that you can tinker with/repair. Thats more what demographic its trying to appeal to.
I dont disagree that its overpriced, but that's all computer parts or PC's right now. Its certainly not perfect, but I don't think its a step backwards at all. I think having more options for gamers to game on their couch is a good thing.
The Steam Machine exists to make money for Steam, if you watch the Gamers Nexus tear down, you will notice that its repairability level is crap, unlike pc's. The Steam Machine has no redeeming features, aside from its marketability to zombies. It is just a small form factor pc, with some proprietary parts (a bad thing) running linux. Proprietary parts are an obvious step backwards, they are not new of course, other trash manufacturers like dell use them to create ewaste pc's as well. I have seen multiple people online say they are building, or want to build a Steam Machine, they are so daft that is what they are calling a pc now.
Thats true of most products that companies make I think, but they made it to serve a certain segment of the market and I think given how excited people were to see something like this, doesnt seem like it was a bad idea.
And after watching the teardown, I don't really see what you mean about reparability being bad. The video is even titled "Excellent Reparability: Steam Machine tear-down and Accessing RAM & SSD". Seems to come apart just fine. You can replace a part if it breaks and put it back together.
I will say that proprietary parts aren't great, I'd rather have a cpu, ram, and motherboard I can take out and replace individually but for what this is designed to be, that being, a "console", I'd say its much better than a PlayStation or Xbox in terms of reparability. Definitely more akin to a laptop than a PC in my opinion. And certainly not perfect, but I'm glad that Valve gave it a try and gave more options for people to game on. Not only that, might even get more people on Linux if they're shown a good experience.
https://youtu.be/glXA3ObwSwQ?t=659
not good.
The only way to get steam hardware, according to support, is to have a credit card, address and steam account from an EU country or other supported country. Or wait if a local reseller (like digitec) gets their hands on them.
Hello from Germany,
hit me up with a message, maybe we can work it out
Thanks for the proposal, but since it involves huge sums of money, I’d only try with someone I know in real life😇
Are you willing to consider a mail-forwarding service?
In my country (further East from you), it's a somewhat popular and reliable way to buy stuff that no retailer or the vendor itself offers.
I got Oculus Rift S that way once, years ago, and it was pretty painless - some services will help you handle a lot of the paperwork greatly. Maybe even entirely for you.
The big benefit here is that they usually have the warehouses in the countries that do sell what you want, and established logistical chains to ship things safely and I would even say quickly.
The bigger benefit is having a legal entity to work with, which lets you insure the goods and press charges if the mailer steals, loses or damages them.
More expensive than kind strangers on the internet, but if you're that careful, maybe this is an option.
That said, your Steam region and Valve's restration for purchase makes this route difficult. Maybe you could create an account in another region, like the US or Germany, generate some activity and purchases there, wait for whatever minimum Valve sets, and order via the mail-forwarder (to their warehouse, from where they ship to you).
On an unrelated note, I did not expect to see a Swiss in the same boat of all people. Viel Glück am Kaufen!
Okay, i understand that.
If you wanna get into contact to know me, just do it :)
Really wanna help as i am not buying the steam machine.
Hi, if you want to I can dig around and make you a list of components it will be cheaper and with a better performance ratio.
Building a pc is not that hard, it's closer to legos theese days and installing linux is easy ( I would recommend bazzite with kde ).
Yeah VALVe seems not to like Switzerland, as no hardware has ever been released here. Additionally, they do not allow resellers, so you literally cannot buy it with proper warranty.
What I did with the Index was ask a friend in Germany to order and ship it to me. This time, I will use my legal entity in Estonia. Costs a bit of extra shipping and taxes, but there is no other option.
So they sell the steam deck in your country now? You can probably just wait a good while for them to sell the console in your country.
If you wait long enough they might offer a barebones kit kind of like the old Intel nuks. You can get for cheaper and buy your own ram and storage. Its rumored that the failure for many ai data centers to come to fruition, will line up with the ram manufacturers getting new facilities up, will cause a crash in hardware prices. Don't know if that means cheap ram or if it gets more expensive in the wacky economy anymore, but its something to gain or lose from when you wait long enough.
I would definately not buy from a scalper though. The thing is barely worth it to me at 700 dollars as a fan boy who would love a new toy from valve. I could not imagine paying close to double for it, or risk getting just scammed. I'm sure I could do something like a charge back, or having to get on some Ai customer support to get my money back but its not worth it to me anymore.
Your PS5 is more powerful than the steam machine. Don’t waste your money.
Buy any other prebuilt pc for around the same price and it will be better, and most importantly upgradable. A pc you can’t upgrade is just a console, and as a console the steam machine is about 5 years outdated already while charging an arm and a leg.
I don’t need more power than the PS5 so the Steam Machine would be enough.
This being said, the upgradability of a prebuilt would be great, as long as it ain’t too noisy and power hungry.
You won’t want more power than the PS5 in 5 years time either?
Just for your information: the steam machine is not availne anywhere right now.
I honestly really want one and will wait some months, to see how the supply situation changes.
That's not what's happening to OP. It's not that they can get into a raffle and wait their turn. As I've said elsewhere, 90% of Steam users can't even get to the raffle as the Steam Machine is not sold to their region. Due to the hardware supply chain constraints. Fuck AI.
Ah, i see! Thanks for the info.
I think easiest option as of now is to have some friends or family in one of the neighbouring EU countries and ask them to order it. If you have any.
I’m clealy looking in my personal adress book to find someone who would be techie enough to order it for me and pass Valve selective process😅
Good luck! Sad how things often come with strings attached. They kinda do nice things, and you seem to be willing to buy their product... But then there's politics and business decisions and several silly hoops to jump through... Could be easy, but it's not 🤗
There are also dozend of commercial freight forwarders on the borders who do exactly that. The more pressing issue is the steam account.
Build one! If you've already got the money, building a computer is not as hard as it might seem. You can put SreamOS on there but Bazzite and CachyOS are good gaming options too.
As I've told others, 'it's like really expensive legos'. Cpu go in cpu hole. Ram go in ram hole. Nvme go in nvme hole. Success!
Accurate as long as you use something like pcpartpicker to ensure compatibility.
Yeah, I tell my friends to use pcpp for drafting builds, although the component list is not great for older stuff, or for server gear (I just rebuilt a server, and while they claim to list Supermicro boards, mine and variants didn't show up, while it is a standard micro atx). So trying to research what to build around, say a mobo and cpu that you grabbed from a thrift shop, can be hard if you don't know what specs and compatability to look for. For new typical builds though, it takes a lot of the confusion and worry out of it for new builders.
A few years ago now, I used pcpp to draft a friend's first pc, get funding for the project, and then helped the friend + father from box to boot (and way beyond, but) over a video call, and the most either had done before was replace a gpu. Booted first try, too.
Legos! :D
"Oops, I ordered Duplo."
A moment of silence for the fallen 😔
I would go for a pre-built computer with an RX 9060 XT (preferably with 16 GB VRAM). That GPU will run loops around a Steam machine. You can get such a pre-built for around 1000 CHF:
Thanks for the links. I’ll have a deep look into these!
As someone who pre-ordered the OG steam controller and steam deck I'm sitting this one out. The hardware situation is just too bad right now. Then again there's no guarantee it will actually get better, but I have some faith in China still
Get a prebuilt PC which there are few vendors that has even has Linux pre-installed as well as the specs works great without much hassle.
BUY A DOCK. CONNECT TO YOUR TV OF CHOICE.
Once you have that set up, pair a controller/keyboard/mouse to the deck. You just replaced your PS5. Not in the sense of complete power or graphical fidelity, but its bananas what the games pumped through my docked steam deck look like on the tv.
I have been linux gaming for a couple of years. I was in a transition away from Playstation already due to expense of multiplayer and the general value that I WASNT receiving from Sony. I was a day 1 adopter of the original deck, and it has worked very well for me in handheld mode, so I bought a dock to try it out. I only use my desktop gaming PC for true keyboard and mouse games that make me want to be close to the screen.
That’s clearly something that I’m already doing and enjoying.
Still I need something more powerful for sim racing even if all my other games work well docked.
But yeah the Deck can be surprisingly good when docked, especially if like me you don’t mind 720p and 30fps👍
Install Steam OS on a Linux PC. The Steam Machine is overpriced and mid range. It’s okay for beginners. Members of a Linux gaming comm can probably do better.
Note that presently, Steam OS is only for AMD builds. If you have Intel and/or Nvidia, you’ll need to wait. Support for those is coming soon.
I haven’t seen anyone suggest Bazzite here so I will. Especially if you like racing titles, compatibility with most racing peripherals have better support under bazzite as its goal is to support the most devices it can while steam OS is purpose built for a few specific devices.
If you’re savvy enough to, check out some channels like eta prime on YouTube. Maybe that can inspire your purchase.
I personally run a minisforum BD 775Si motherboard with a mobile ryzen cpu in conjunction with a Radeon 7800xt sapphire nitro + as my Bazzite box for the past two years now and it’s been a pretty stellar experience.
Steam Machines are available here in my area. Instead, I repurposed a small form factor machine I already had that was much more powerful anyways that has a built in graphics card. At the time I purchased it a few years ago, it was about $1000CDN, the Minisforum Neptune HX99G.
Maybe you can have a friend getting it delivered in france or germany, then shipped again to you (or better, go see tbem irl to get it yourself!)
Not sure what marketplaces are available in Switzerland, but I recommend all the time that people look at Facebook marketplace and others for people selling entire machines. Lots don't know their worth and also know that there's implicitly less trust with no warranties and such. That said, if you're willing to take that risk, there are some great deals.
I'd go for a prebuilt unless you really need that particular form factor. A slightly larger prebuilt with similar specs will not only be slightly cheaper, but also have better performance (due to the Steam Machine being quite limited by thermals and power draw).
The form factor isn’t really important, but the fact that I could just buy it and not think about its specs was a big plus.
Look at classified ads. If you're in France (looks like you are) have a look at LeBonCoin, there are people selling theirs.
Get a Bazzite machine.
Maybe a vpn and a post office box in the nearest country?
Steam doesn’t deliver to PO boxes.
Even if it available in my country I still wouldn't buy it at the current price, nothing is special about steam machine it's basically just a box standard computer. For 1500$ I can get a 5060 laptop that come with a decent screen keyboard and probably faster too even with Linux driver overhead
Small note. If you’re building a PC for Linux avoid Nvidia GPUs. AMD and Intel GPUs have native built in drivers. Avoiding the fragility of babysitting Nvidia proprietary drivers really makes the experience better.
Not 100% accurate. The Steam Machine has the smallest form factor at that power capacity. It is reportedly the quietest piece of hardware for its size. And it also solved the wake with controller issue.
None of those things are available in any other hardware package. I game on a laptop connected to my living room TV. It is somewhere midway between a deck and the Steam Machine. I can hear the fans over the TV speakers on intensive games and the setup is awkward. I have to walk to the tv to startup the laptop and use wireless keyboard and mouse to handle the laptop until I get to desktop and only then the controller can summon big screen mode.
If you want to keep sole ownership (ie. invoice in your name, your CC etc.) and can’t go through a friend/relative in a neighbouring country - you could use a VPN and a freight-forwarding service in said country?
I’ve utilised similar methods in the past to get EU-only goods here into Australia.
Steam nukes accounts for region hopping. I got threatened once for buying on Europe and then on Latin America in too short a period of time and my account was on probation for a while. God forbid one travels internationally with a laptop.
Also, steam explicitly forbids shipping to forward freight services or PO boxes.
There’s a difference between region hopping from Europe to Latin America in a short period of time, and Switzerland to France/Italy/Germany/Austria - all three of which have major cities within ~3-4hrs.
So as long as the Steam Machine is eligible for purchase in one of those nations, this remains a viable option.
Maybe, but it is not like I have free access to Europe. I was there by chance, it's not like I live there. Steam historically has never sold hardware anywhere in the global south, specially in latam, at least Asia get some official sell channels.
They didn't even accepted my appeal that I was on vacation. Just plain old "take your ban time and fuck off" from support.
I'd suggest joining the EU.
What about a VPN? Maybe this will work.
I’d not want to take the risk of paying and then being told that the Machine can’t be delivered to my house.