I’d say more important is the fact that a community will exist around it. For the SteamDeck you have no idea how much easier it is to find answers to very specific problems simply because the exact same hardware is being run by millions of people.
Also for similar reasons, some developers will optimize for the hardware.
Sadly NCIX went out of business, which was my go to recommendation for this, but they used to build your PC, install an OS, stress test it, and provide a 3 year warranty for like $150 (Canadian). I’m sure there are computer places like that out there still…
Microcenter with their PowerSpec lineup, for example. I think this one has made the rounds as an example of what the Steam Machine would have to compete with.
I agree with you but for the sake of answering why the average consumer might go the GabeCube route: convenience and a warranty.
I’d say more important is the fact that a community will exist around it. For the SteamDeck you have no idea how much easier it is to find answers to very specific problems simply because the exact same hardware is being run by millions of people.
Also for similar reasons, some developers will optimize for the hardware.
I actually have a Steam Deck so I definitely understand that. The amount of cool tools built for it almost overnight was amazing.
Sadly NCIX went out of business, which was my go to recommendation for this, but they used to build your PC, install an OS, stress test it, and provide a 3 year warranty for like $150 (Canadian). I’m sure there are computer places like that out there still…
Microcenter with their PowerSpec lineup, for example. I think this one has made the rounds as an example of what the Steam Machine would have to compete with.