Valve has let the media test a few of the Steam Machine prototypes. The ‘demo-consoles’ are equipped with a Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 video card and an Intel Core i7-processor. Valve is ran on the Steam OS.
The prototype of the Steam machine which is tested by Engadget and The Verge, has a housing of aluminum and steel and is 30,5cm wide and 7,4cm high. The console got a design where the cpu and gpu have their own vent holes against the heat. The demo-consoles contain a Nvidia GeForce GTX 780 video card and Intel Core i7-processor, however it is not clear how much memory it carries.
The Steam Machine will be tested as a prototype by 300 gamers. The machine should bring the games from the Steam-platform to our living room. Valve has provided the console with the Steam OS, which is based on Linux. According to The Verge, the OS works very smooth but is limited in options.
Valve will deliver the console with the Steam Controller. The touch-pads would work accurately but there are some minor complications with some games. However Valve didn’t start the production of the Steam Controller yet.
The Steam Machine should, according to Valve, be seen as a prototype. The Steam Box-consoles, which will be on the market next year would be a lot smaller. Next to that Valve says to not have plans to release their own games exclusively for the Steam Box.