Sure, if it’s not as modular as actual PC.
Otherwise they’re just selling a “default spec” PC that developers can target for benchmarks.
TwitchingCheese@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
The discourse around this confuses the fuck out of me. Did people actually expect this to be <$500?
DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 3 weeks ago
Flamekebab@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
No, but the price points of the current consoles are hilariously optimistic.
MystikIncarnate@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
Idk, $699 USD for the PS5 pro seems a bit closer to “PC pricing” than I would expect from Sony if they’re subsidizing the cost with future game sales.
I’d kind of expect them to be making consoles at break-even/no-profit, more than at a loss right now.
Flamekebab@piefed.social 3 weeks ago
They can set the asking price to whatever they like but a lot of us cannot justify those amounts for what amounts to a toy. By this stage in a console generation I would expect a lot more games and a lot cheaper hardware. The reasons that haven’t happened aren’t of interest to me as a consumer (they’re of interest to me as a nerd!).
MystikIncarnate@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
The reason is simple. Inflation.
The NES originally sold for $180 USD in 1985, which is worth $530 today. The SNES, circa 1991, was $199 USD or $459 today.
Fast forward a bunch…
The switch 2 is currently priced at $449 USD.
The literal price has gone up, but the cost is going down. Slightly, but still.
I’m sure I could repeat the same experiment for PlayStation, Xbox, or Sega’s consoles and see similar results.
finitebanjo@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
That’s the confusing part for me because statements from the design team said they had the very optimistic goal of running most games at 4k 60fps, which is more like $1000 entry level imo.
dustyData@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
“…with FSR.”
That there is a huge difference.
echodot@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
$1,000 is not entry level.
If you go on any website and look at entry level PCs they’re all around $600 to $800.
finitebanjo@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
The lowest amount to run most modern titles AT 4K 60 FPS is around $1000, and thats only because graphics card prices have come down.
echodot@feddit.uk 3 weeks ago
It’s not a 4K capable graphics card though it’s a 1080p capable graphics card that they’re saying is 4K because of the existence of AI upscaling which I think is a cheat. So you’re already overestimating the cards capability.
stevedice@sh.itjust.works 3 weeks ago
No, but there’s some unhinged people arguing it’s gonna be $800 or even $1k.
MajorasMaskForever@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
I think the problem is Valve lost control of the messaging, which led to bad expectations.
At least in the US, a computer hooked up to a TV to play games means it’s a “console” and not a computer. Maybe we can blame Nintendo back in the 80s for going out of their way to avoid calling the NES a computer (despite it’s name in Japan being Famicom, Family Computer), but the distinction exists today despite technologically no real difference. You know this, I know this, Valve knows this. So Valve wants to make a computer you hook up to your TV so they can get you to use
their money printing machineSteam in the living room too.If you read Valve’s marketing material on the Steam Machine, they don’t use the word “console” once. It’s always either by name or the terms PC, computer, or system. They likely don’t mention the word “console” because to date, video game consoles follow a different business model, one where the model subsidizes the shit out of the hardware and then make money on the back end with game sales/licensing.
Current “console” hardware starts in the <$500 price bracket, and with so much third party media marketing calling the Steam Machine a console, that got people’s mind set on pricing expectations of that market.
Flickerby@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
This confuses me. You can hookup ANY computer to a living room TV to be a “console”. How is this different?
MajorasMaskForever@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
My theory and point was that by thinking about that computer as a console, in the average consumer mindset it should be priced like a console.
Valve is thinking about it as a computer, and has stated they intend to price it like one and not like a traditional console
dustyData@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
As someone who has hooked up computers to TVs all his life, I can tell you. Just turning on with a controller directly into game mode is a massive game changer as it is a pain to get it working today. Look for guides about it and see the batshit hacks people have come up with.
That and the overabundance of Bluetooth antennas. Oh, and it also comes with super fast WiFi 7 special connection for the frame inside the box. Also, heat and sound management. Gaming PCs are little space heaters, very efficient during cold weather and a pain in the ass in hot climates. Keeping them cool takes an assortment of turbines and makes the living room sound like an airport. If this thing is as power efficient, quiet and cool as advertised, it will be the gaming enthusiast’s dream.
Revan343@lemmy.ca 3 weeks ago
A console is typically locked down; they can sell them at cost or a loss and make up the money selling games. A computer is typically not locked down, you can install games from wherever on it, so they can’t assume you’ll buy your games from them (even though you will)
scholar@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
When you turn it on it boots to a controller friendly UI that shows you all your steam games. No setup, no hunting for drivers, no bloat.
Mondoshawan@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
A computer hooked up to a TV is considered a media center PC, or an HTPC, not a console
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_theater_PC
ieGod@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
I think both of you are right but also wrong. It’s called “whatever you want” and there is no universal name for the practice. If you’re not using your PC for media, it certainly isn’t an HTPC.
Mondoshawan@lemmy.zip 3 weeks ago
You’re right, though games are also “media” 😋
Credibly_Human@lemmy.world 3 weeks ago
Doesn’t matter at all. Its clearly meant to operate in the position of one. They could have very well avoided that term to avoid implying the lock down that consoles come with.