After Alienware originally shipped out a Windows-based Steam Machine the Alienware Alpha, we now have them showing off and talking up their real SteamOS Steam Machine.
It's nice to hear them clearly talk about it, and it seems the Windows-based unit they shipped a while ago gave them plenty of feedback on how to do better. One bit of feedback they have acted on is changing the hard drive from a 5400 RPM to 7200RPM. and that should make everything a little quicker to load.
They confirmed their Alienware Alpha with Windows will stick around, for anyone who doesn't want SteamOS. They are planning documentation and other things for people who want to "upgrade" (their words) to SteamOS on the Alpha. That's pretty good of them to be thinking like that, and maybe some people will.
They stated they have been in partnership with Valve for three years, so hopefully it works out for the both of them. It will certainly be helpful for us if it works.
Here's probably the most interesting thing about what the Alienware rep said:
That alone has me excited, and has made me like Alienware a lot more. It's not enough to announce a product, but to actually go around yourselves and try to get others on-board, that's worth cheering them on for.
Thanks boilingsteam for the video. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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It's nice to hear them clearly talk about it, and it seems the Windows-based unit they shipped a while ago gave them plenty of feedback on how to do better. One bit of feedback they have acted on is changing the hard drive from a 5400 RPM to 7200RPM. and that should make everything a little quicker to load.
They confirmed their Alienware Alpha with Windows will stick around, for anyone who doesn't want SteamOS. They are planning documentation and other things for people who want to "upgrade" (their words) to SteamOS on the Alpha. That's pretty good of them to be thinking like that, and maybe some people will.
They stated they have been in partnership with Valve for three years, so hopefully it works out for the both of them. It will certainly be helpful for us if it works.
Here's probably the most interesting thing about what the Alienware rep said:
QuoteMyself and a few colleagues have been around the world talking to all of the major game publishers, and I'll say that sharing news about Alienware Steam Machine and our plans and how it will be our flagship product, getting those publishers excited to get their content library whether it's a back catalogue or new games coming to SteamOS, you're going to see over the summer a lot more titles and software, big AAA titles, indies, things that are going to be your favourite are going to be coming to SteamOS.
That alone has me excited, and has made me like Alienware a lot more. It's not enough to announce a product, but to actually go around yourselves and try to get others on-board, that's worth cheering them on for.
Thanks boilingsteam for the video. Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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Quoting: CybaCowboyQuoting: IlyaHe's right though, Alienware is the one where the GPU is fixed on the motherboard (at least according to the steam forums). Not sure if you can add another one yourself.
I find it unlikely users already know that the GPU is fixed to the motherboard, considering that even those pre-ordering won't get their Alienware Steam Machines until October... Unless users in the Steam Forums are referring to the Alienware Alpha, which won't necessarily be the same as this Alienware Steam Machine (particularly given Alienware have made various hardware changes as a result of the "learning experience" that is the Alienware Alpha).
Either way, "Chris" from Alienware implies that the GPU can be upgraded ("fully upgradeable", he claims of this 'Machine in the video), being unable to change the GPU is no different to any laptop (including "gaming" laptops) and if you're really keen, there's no reason one can't remove the GPU from the motherboard... After all, this is almost certainly using a desktop GPU (considering it's using a desktop CPU), so it's not that hard to do a bit of soldering and exchange the GPU (though anyone going to this extent is probably going to building their own Steam Machine, anyway).
Dude, they're using a slightly modified mobile GPU. You CAN'T upgrade it - accept it. Alienware is not a card manufacturer and Nvidia is certainly not going to make a special line of GPUs just so they can be replaces in Alienware Steam Machines, especially when 90% of the other brands will be using pci extensions in order to put proper GPUs in the small cases. So how about next time, instead of playing all smug and know-it-all and telling people to "watch the video", you stop and think over the information that was just given to you.
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Cyba.Cowboy Jun 21, 2015
Quoting: maodzedunDude, they're using a slightly modified mobile GPU. You CAN'T upgrade it - accept it. Alienware is not a card manufacturer and Nvidia is certainly not going to make a special line of GPUs just so they can be replaces in Alienware Steam Machines, especially when 90% of the other brands will be using pci extensions in order to put proper GPUs in the small cases. So how about next time, instead of playing all smug and know-it-all and telling people to "watch the video", you stop and think over the information that was just given to you.
You can replace a graphics card in a laptop - with difficulty... How is this any different?
And pull your head out of your backside - I was pointing-out that "Chris" directly implied it can be upgraded, and the fact that even if this is a mobile GPU, it can still be replaced (it just won't be easy)!
Never once did I say or imply that it'd be as simple as replacing the GPU in an "everyday" computer... Only that based on the information provided by Alienware in this article, it can be upgraded.
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Quoting: CybaCowboyYou can replace a graphics card in a laptop - with difficulty... How is this any different?Actually if you watch this (starting at 3:00) :
View video on youtube.com
You'll understand that it is not a standard motherboard, nor it is a standard gpu.
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Cyba.Cowboy Jun 21, 2015
Okay, the GPU in the Alpha - which is likely to be the same or similar to the Alienware Steam Machine - appears to be a custom connection...
That's just retarded, but it also means you win - the GPU would be virtually impossible to replace.
That's just retarded, but it also means you win - the GPU would be virtually impossible to replace.
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Cyba.Cowboy Jun 21, 2015
Gone are the days when one can upgrade their stuff forever I guess...
I wonder if this is the approach all the Steam Machine vendors will take, or if we'll see more "traditional" computers (i.e. desktop-like)?
I wonder if this is the approach all the Steam Machine vendors will take, or if we'll see more "traditional" computers (i.e. desktop-like)?
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Quoting: CybaCowboyOkay, the GPU in the Alpha - which is likely to be the same or similar to the Alienware Steam Machine - appears to be a custom connection...
That's just retarded, but it also means you win - the GPU would be virtually impossible to replace.
You were saying...?
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Cyba.Cowboy Jun 22, 2015
Quoting: maodzedunYou were saying...?
Apparently nothing of relevance...
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Quoting: CybaCowboyGone are the days when one can upgrade their stuff forever I guess...
I wonder if this is the approach all the Steam Machine vendors will take, or if we'll see more "traditional" computers (i.e. desktop-like)?
They're supposed to stand in the living room, so they should fit there optically, no?
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Quoting: EikeThey're supposed to stand in the living room, so they should fit there optically, no?Took a second to figure out what you meant by fitting optically, but obviously the currently announced steam machines are all going for the console aesthetic. I'd bet you'll see builds with standard components in something like a media pc case to go with the rest of your entertainment and hi-fi gadgets. I'm pretty sure though that you'll never see a steam machine in a hulking monster of a tower case like the Define R4 humming (or, well, being silent) beside my TV stand unless you build it yourself.
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Quoting: maodzedunI think we can call a Windows computer that boots into Steam Big picture a Steam Machine as well
From what we've seen Valve disagree with that, and will require that anything sold as a Steam Machine run SteamOS.
We know that some hardware vendors wanted to include optical drives but Valve wouldn't allow that, showing that Valve have some control over what can be labelled a Steam Machine. We also know that Dell came up a different name when their hardware was ready before Valve was, and I doubt that that name change was because Dell didn't want to cash in on the hype that already existed.
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