Steam Box, or Piston

[Blink]

At CES Xi3 unvelied a prototype of the Steam box (one of many apparently), or what we now refer to as "Piston".

The demo unit of Piston featured an IO board boasting one ethernet port, 1/8" audio in/out, SPDIF optical audio, four USB 3.0 ports, four USB 2.0 ports (with one dedicated to keyboard input), four eSATAp ports, two Mini Display Port ports and one DisplayPort/HDMI port.

If you're craving more info then Rock Paper Shotgun and Polygon have you covered.

[Sathor]

I don't see the point spending money on something that is less able than my gaming pc for any task I can imagine.

[ErikKiller]

Oh wow, I feel like a caveman.
I should upgrade my system.

[Blink]

I don't see the point spending money on something that is less able than my gaming pc for any task I can imagine.

I don't think hardcore PC enthusiasts are the target market. It certainly couldn't touch my PC, but it's a nice way to get something like that into people's living rooms.

[jimonions]

From what I understand it has the capability of running games on a 70 inch plasma tv. I wouldn't mind trying that out myself.

It also just looks really aesthetically pleasing. Small enough to hold in one hand and textured black and chrome.

Other than that I wouldn't see it replacing my pc, but it could make a good overnight, overseas type console since the only other mobile piece of technology I use is a netbook.

[Jangalomph]

Well if it could use my computers graphics card, and over the internet put the picture from my PC from upstairs onto my 60ish inch TV downstairs that'd be fantastic.

[ErikKiller]

Now, a Valve/SteamOS would be baller.

[Jordash]

The verge posted an interview with Gabe on the topic, http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/8/385214 ... -of-gaming

[Epifire]

I don't see the point spending money on something that is less able than my gaming pc for any task I can imagine.

Well take it at this rate, if you like to go anywhere with your powerful desktop (like me) then you pretty much have to haul a huge case, screen and all the other crud included. I think I would get a steam box just so I can have my gaming on the go. Not sure if this thing is supposed to still bridge the gap between PC and console with the cross platform gaming (which is why I had been interested) otherwise I would just stick to taking my Xbox places. I would probably cry a little too.

[nub]

Oh wow, that's wild. The "modular component upgrades" feature the article mentioned briefly has me interested in this.

[Knights]

I like it but will I buy it? I don't know yet... To be honest shouldn't pc's be that size now? Seems like graphics cards are just getting bigger and bigger...

[Habboi]

If it lets me play my Steam games on my big TV next door I may be sold. I would just get a powerful PC and chuck it next door but I have an office for it and there's already too much hardware in the living room so a nice little box would be great.

[B2019]

turns out its not actually the steam box valve are working on, the piston is just being backed by valve, not created.
http://uk.ign.com/videos/2013/01/09/new ... s-steambox

[Plague]

The articles kinda stated multiple times that the Piston concept is a partnership device made with Valve's investment.
The actual "SteamBox" would be one of the other prototypes made by Valve.

Also stated in the article from polygon is Valve is talking with hardware oem's and showing the prototypes around.
Of which I've seen/heard of Piston, Bigfoot, Littlefoot and what appeared to be an Alienware off the shelf.

[DonPunch]

Now, a Valve/SteamOS would be baller.

Except no games are made to run on a valve/steamos