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.- (~$1236) to get it.
Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.
So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.
My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.
What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Edit and update:
Thank you all for your answers and useful links! You gave me some great advices!
In the end, I’ll keep using a combo of Steam Deck and Playstation 5 for a while. The Steam Deck for almost every game, but more often than before docked to preserve my neck, and the Playstation 5 for demanding racing games or an eventual Last Of Us 3.
Then, around 2029, once my Playstation 5 is gonna be old and not upgradeable, I’ll get a Linux gaming rig which is gonna be more powerful. At that time, I’ll have a better disposable income, but I’d still want to pay around CHF 1000.- anyway.
It’ll also allow me to fully emulate all my Playstation games which aren’t available on PC, at least from PS1 to PS4 generations, and use these consoles as decoration for memories.
Even if it available in my country I still wouldn’t buy it at the current price, nothing is special about steam machine it’s basically just a box standard computer. For 1500$ I can get a 5060 laptop that come with a decent screen keyboard and probably faster too even with Linux driver overhead
Small note. If you’re building a PC for Linux avoid Nvidia GPUs. AMD and Intel GPUs have native built in drivers. Avoiding the fragility of babysitting Nvidia proprietary drivers really makes the experience better.
Not 100% accurate. The Steam Machine has the smallest form factor at that power capacity. It is reportedly the quietest piece of hardware for its size. And it also solved the wake with controller issue.
None of those things are available in any other hardware package. I game on a laptop connected to my living room TV. It is somewhere midway between a deck and the Steam Machine. I can hear the fans over the TV speakers on intensive games and the setup is awkward. I have to walk to the tv to startup the laptop and use wireless keyboard and mouse to handle the laptop until I get to desktop and only then the controller can summon big screen mode.