According to recent reports, Valve is working on several new hardware products. One of the most exciting projects is codenamed “Fremont”.According to data minersThis is a device with HDMI-CEC functionality with similarities to ChromeOS - as strange as that may sound.
The fact that HDMI-CEC is important suggests that this could be a console or a TV streaming box à la Nvidia Shield - or a combination of both.
If Valve really develops a console, I'm really looking forward to it. It would be the first console I would buy in years.
Why a new Steam Machine wouldn't be unreasonable
Valve has already gained some experience with gaming PCs in console format. The Steam Machines appeared about 10 years ago. Unfortunately these were not a success. A major obstacle for many was using a Linux-based operating system. They were finally discontinued in 2016.
Today the situation is different:The Steam Deck has made gaming on Linux suitable for the masses and more and more developers are optimizing their games for Valve's handheld. A new Steam Machine could become a plausible alternative to consoles or even gaming PCs.
- Valve can subsidize the cost of the console with software sales through Steam. So the hypothetical console could be sold for a cheaper price.
- Valve has gained a lot of experience with the Steam Deck and the old Steam Machines.
- According to rumors there is onein development. This is potentially suitable as a hardware bundle with “Fremont”.
My three wishes for a new Steam Machine
If Valve can grant me three wishes, I will buy the console immediately. It doesn't need much more.
SteamOS as operating system:It sounds logical that a new Steam Machine should use the same operating system as the Steam Deck, but unfortunately it could turn out differently.
- According to the first leaks, the operating system is said to have “similarities to ChromeOS”. It is not yet clear what is meant by this. It is possible that Fremont uses ChromeOS as the operating system with the Steam client on top.
- So this would be more of a TV box for Steam Link and not a standalone console.
Faster hardware than the Steam Deck:The Steam Deck is already lagging behind with its RDNA2 APU. Faster hardware is therefore desirable. At least a new Steam Machine wouldn't have to worry about battery life, which is why more power definitely makes sense.
- AMD Strix Point-APU
- at least 24 GB of RAM
- Sufficiently large heat sink with active ventilation for quiet operation
A price between 400 and 600 euros:Is that perhaps asking too much? Like other console manufacturers, Valve could subsidize the price of a console through software sales. Valve would also sell the device itself via Steam, which would save additional costs.
- Personally, I would see a particularly affordable version with 64 or 128 GB of memory that can be easily expanded.
- I see a realistic maximum price of 600 euros for a variant with 512 GB.
And now I want to know from you: What would you want for a new Steam Machine? Is a product like this even interesting in your opinion? What features should it have and what prices do you think would be appropriate? Would you be disappointed if Fremont was just a new TV box? Feel free to write it to us in the comments!
