Tue, Mar 12, 2013 | 01:55 GMT
Valve-backed living room PC system debuts at CES 2013
Valve and Xi3 will today show off a modular computer designed for Steam and the big screen TV in your living room – a “Steambox”, in other words.
The hardware was developed by Xi3 but financially backed by Valve. It’s not ready for launch yet, and Xi3 is calling the hardware shown at CES 2013 a “development stage” product. But there’s a picture of the chassis available; it’s said to be the size of a grapefruit. Check it out below.
The new product hasn’t got an official name yet, but has been codenamed “Piston”, and is designed specifically for Steam and its Big Picture mode, with Xi3 making specific reference to home use as well as LAN parties.
“This new development stage product will allow users to take full-advantage of their large high-definition TV displays for an amazing computer game experience. As a result, this new system could provide access to thousands of gaming titles through an integrated system that exceeds the capabilities of leading game consoles, but can fit in the palm of your hand,” Xi3 CEO Jason A. Sullivan said.
The modular computer will be on show at Valve’s CES 2013 booth, but beyond a mention of Valve’s investment, Xi3 has declined to give further comment on the two companies collaboration.
Although the press release specifically mentioned that no technical details would be provided right now, Xi3 marketing officer David Politis told Polygon that it is similar to the X7A line in both specifications and likely price – so about $1,000.
It will have up to 1TB of internal storage and allow for component upgrades such as RAM and even CPU, coupling the console-like convenience of standardised hardware with PC future proofing.
Polygon reports from the CES 2013 showfloor that the prototype Piston on show had HDMI out, two mini display ports, four USB 2.0 ports including one dedicated to a keyboard, four USB 3.0 ports, ethernet, four eSATAp ports, and both optical and bog standard audio out.
It’s not clear if this is the hardware referenced in yesterday’s reports of a Linux-based Steambox to debut in 2013.
Valve told Polygon the firm will be meeting with hardware and content developers to show “multiple” custom hardware prototypes during CES 2013.
“Valve will be at CES to meet with hardware and content developers in our booth space,” Valve marketing director Doug Lombardi said. “We are bringing multiple custom prototypes as well as some off-the-shelf PCs to our CES meetings.”
The prototypes were described by Lombardi as “low-cost, high-performance designs for the living room that are great candidates for Steam and Big Picture,” with more information released to the press and public “in the coming months.”
60 comments
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#51
Cobra951
08/01/13, 3:55 pm
I want to see more details, but so far, I’m not impressed. I can do a lot with $1000, and attaching a grapefruit-sized PC to my living-room TV is way down the priority list for such a large wad of green. Maybe they’ll firm up the price better in the days to come, at arrive at a more palatable figure.
#52
Moonwalker1982
08/01/13, 4:11 pm
Yeah,so we still got to find out about the Steambox. Still curious about it too.
#53
Dragon246
08/01/13, 4:31 pm
Thing is, it just can’t be the steambox, unless steam really has lost all the brains it had and forgot what a console is and its supposed to do.
#54
Erthazus
08/01/13, 4:33 pm
“what a console is and its supposed to do”
and what it’s supposed to do?
#55
Dragon246
08/01/13, 4:48 pm
@54
Its supposed to provide a cheaper and simpler alternative to pc gaming. But now, the definition has broadened. Many consumers expect consoles to be an all in one entertainment centre, something both 360 and ps3 has achieved quite well, and something where steam looks it will fail unless they broaden their multimedia scope outside of games.
#56
Erthazus
08/01/13, 4:52 pm
@55, what you described it will absolutely do wth Big Picture.
In fact, as a Service Steam is miles ahead of PSN and XBL. Valve never failed and this will be successfull to some people. That’s for sure.
Especially if that thing will be priced for 99$, just like OUYA.
#57
Dragon246
08/01/13, 4:57 pm
@56
If its priced 99$, it will destroy ms and sony and ninty.
1000$? It will destroy itself.
That’s the thing. It will be very difficult for valve to undercut big3 in terms of pricing. Think sega and ps1.
#58
polygem
08/01/13, 6:18 pm
edit: there are many people liking the idea dragon or are at least interested in it.
all i was saying: why judging things, calling out doomsday, even before knowing facts? just because it doesnt seem to be attractive for you it must not mean it’s not interesting for others. just because you think the wiuu tablet is a gimmick, must not mean that it really ”is” a gimmick..i just don’t like that attitude, i think it’s a strange perspective to look at things, so i told you
#59
Eddie Rodrigues
08/01/13, 6:25 pm
@57 if the ‘PURGE COMPETITION’ strategy is what Valve wants then it should be Wii Mini’s price or even $10 less, which might not be the case with the said specs, ALTHOUGH we are talking about Steam, a great platform which daily deals and discounts appeal to the ‘core’ gamer, so the machinery’s price would pay off in comparison to Sony’s or MS’s consoles…
#60
Stephany Nunneley
08/01/13, 8:16 pm
Post has been updated with a bit more information at the end of it.
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