Steam Machine vs. Custom PC: SteamOS Makes the Difference

Steam Machine was sold not because it was bad, but because a custom PC had already been built as an alternative. The PC had been built a few months earlier, but attempts to sell it hadn't worked, even after lowering the price from $600 to $500. The idea was that if SteamOS could be installed on the PC, the Steam Machine could be sold for about what it originally cost.

The custom PC already offered a way to play Steam games while providing a similar experience. Several reasons drove people to buy the Steam Machine in the first place. One was the hype; another was Steam's growing appeal. A large backlog of Steam games made the idea of a console designed around Steam appealing.

Problems With the First SteamOS Installation

After Valve announced the Steam Machine, people started building their own versions. One particular build became the basis for the custom Steam Machine PC, with most of the components copied from that setup. The custom build may have used a different GPU. The main problem with the custom PC came when SteamOS was first installed.

The system could play audio, but nothing appeared on the screen. Several attempts were made to get SteamOS working, but the process kept running into issues. A different type of software capable of running SteamOS was eventually installed, but the experience was not preferred.

Windows was eventually installed instead, with Steam running through Windows. Big Picture Mode was also tested in Windows, but that experience was not preferred either. The custom system ultimately became a regular PC. It still worked well, and Steam games could be played on it, but it didn't provide the SteamOS console-style experience the Steam Machine offered.

The Steam Machine Couch Experience

When the opportunity to buy the Steam Machine arrived, the form factor generated excitement. The system was small, and the couch experience was one of its main attractions. There was no major reason to sell the Steam Machine other than the difficulty of selling the custom PC.

Since the custom PC was already more capable, selling the Steam Machine for roughly the amount originally paid for it made sense. Before selling the Steam Machine, I tried installing SteamOS on the custom PC. I put SteamOS on a flash drive, restarted the PC, and booted from the drive.

The result was flawless. There was essentially no difference between the SteamOS experience on the custom PC and the Steam Machine. Being able to install SteamOS on the custom PC made the Steam Machine redundant, aside from its size and the hardware hype. The custom PC offered the same SteamOS interface and the same console-style experience.

Installing SteamOS on an Existing PC

It could boot directly into Steam and provide an experience similar to a Steam Deck. SteamOS essentially turned the custom PC into a console-style gaming system. The PC was assembled separately, but once SteamOS was running, the difference between it and the Steam Machine became hard to notice during normal use.

The custom PC was also more capable, despite its small form factor. Both systems offered a compact gaming setup, but the custom PC delivered better performance. You can use an unused PC to experiment with SteamOS. Installing the operating system lets you experience the Steam Machine interface without buying another system.

SteamOS also provides access to the desktop version of Linux. This lets you use the system for browsing and other desktop tasks in addition to gaming. Some users have also used the Steam Machine as their main work computer because it can switch between gaming mode and the desktop environment.

The custom PC also retains access to the Linux desktop environment.

The system can handle gaming, web browsing, spreadsheets, and other desktop tasks. SteamOS is also easier to set up via a flash drive. You can put the operating system on a flash drive, restart the PC, and run SteamOS from the drive. The process can still get frustrating, especially when hardware compatibility causes problems.

The biggest differences between a Steam Machine and a custom PC running SteamOS come down to hardware, size, and setup. Once you install SteamOS correctly, the custom PC can boot directly into Steam. It provides a console-style interface without relying on Windows or Big Picture Mode.

This lets the same system handle both gaming and desktop tasks. If you have an existing PC you're no longer using, SteamOS lets you turn the hardware into a Steam-focused gaming system. The process may require some troubleshooting, but the final experience can closely match the Steam Machine.