Oughta be interesting to see what Valve brings to the party !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24125344
"So far, it is not clear whether Valve plans to release its own hardware or produce specifications for a device that others will make to bring about what Nr Newell called a "grand unification" of mobile, desktop and living room gaming.
"Right now, you're sort of in this bizarre situation where as soon as you sit on your couch, you're supposed to have lost connection with all of your other computing platforms," he said. "We really don't think the fragmentation around the physical location or around the input devices in terms of computation is necessary or desirable for software developers or consumers."
You might want to move this to general gaming as it seems to be mostly about a linux system that will let people play on anything not just a console.
The Steambox Cometh...
This whole thing has me really intriqued.... I was looking pretty hard at the Alienware Linux gaming rig, but it isn't avilable in Canada yet - just the US. I know it will limit the number of games available, but if Valve is wiling to put some capital into it there is some level of temptation for me. I like jumping onboard with new things like this - unfortunately the success rate isn't great. I've always used AMD chips, starting back in the 486 days, I bought a STM Kyro processor based video cards back in the AGP bus days and have always had a desire to follow the tech road least followed. Will a Linux gaming rig be next ? Or will a get that ride to Mars before that happens! ;)
Revealed! 12 Manufacturers will make hardware so there is a choice for the consumer on what to get and with what features (just like a mobile phone).
So there is no one Valve-branded hardware.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/01/06/12-of-valves-steam-machine-partners-unveiled/
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonevangelho/2014/01/06/liveblog-valves-ces-2014-steam-machine-press-conference/