Hi everyone!
I had been a Playstation user since the first one and I own the fifth one.
After using Linux for years on weak computers for my admin, I decided to try Linux gaming in 2025 and bought a used LCD Steam Deck.
While I’ve been enjoying the Steam Deck, it hurts my neck and isn’t powerful enough for sim racing games.
Naturally, I was happy to learn that the Steam Machine was coming and was willing to invest up to CHF1000.- (~$1236) to get it.
Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.
So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.
My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.
What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
I would recommend a pre-built system for two reasons:
Do you think I would have to wait so much?
I’m not in a rush but 6 months would probably be too much.
Probably so, unfortunately. Every Steam Machine out there now has an owner, and that was all they could manufacture in the past six months.
By the sounds of things, there's also a lot of reservations out there without a Steam Machine to sell them, and given the RAM crisis, production likely isn't increasing.
It'll be a while before they're looking for more registrations.
I think they're expecting to take until the end of the year to work through their current reservation list (this might include the waiting list at the time but I'm not sure). I wouldn't hold my breath unless you're willing to pay one of the few scalpers on eBay.
If you're going with a small form factor DIY or some equivalent pre-built PC alternative, I strongly urge you to get an AMD GPU to get a good experience with Steam OS, Bazzite or some other Linux gaming distro.