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Alienware launching Steam Machine with Win 8.1 this year for $549
Valve recently decided to delay its Steam Machine platform until 2015, but that's not stopping hardware partner Alienware from moving ahead with a Windows 8.1 version of its console. Instead of waiting until next year to launch its console, called Alpha, Alienware is working with Valve to create a custom Windows 8.1 interface that will integrate with Steam's Big Picture mode. In an interview with PCWorld, Frank Azor, general manager of Alienware, said Valve helped modify Big Picture mode so it fits with the console's glowing lights and other design elements. Azor added that the console will support SteamOS when it launches next year.
Until SteamOS launches, Alienware will sell the Alpha with an Xbox 360 controller instead of Valve's custom Steam controller, with costs beginning at $549. At that price, the Alpha will feature the following specifications:
- Intel Core i3 Haswell processor
- Custom Nvidia Maxwell-based GPU (2GB dedicated GDDR5 memory)
- 500GB SATA 3 HDD
- 4GB of 1600MHz memory
- Dual-band Wireless-AC 1x1 with Bluetooth 4.0
- HDMI-out, HDMI-in (with pass-through), Gigabit Ethernet, optical audio out, two USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports
Consumers will be able to customize the console to feature Intel's faster Core i5 and i7 processors, 8GB of RAM, and 1TB or 2TB hard drives. Despite previous statements that the console isn't designed to be upgraded, Azor said users can upgrade almost everything except for the custom graphics card, though it won't be as easy to upgrade as Alienware's other systems.
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Engadget snagged a photo of Alienware's new X51 gaming PC, you can check it out over here. The system is about the size of the original PS3, and at $700-$1,000 it's surprisingly affordable for an Alie...
Alienware 2012 Notebook Shows up - 01/26/2012 12:37 PM
This year
Fender178
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#4840019 Posted on: 06/13/2014 02:06 PM
Hmm interesting. Maybe this might help Valve get better Windows compatibility with their Steam OS.
Hmm interesting. Maybe this might help Valve get better Windows compatibility with their Steam OS.
Braadkip
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Posts: 94
Joined: 2011-12-10
#4840052 Posted on: 06/13/2014 02:47 PM
Why not SSD?
Why not SSD?
Sergio
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#4840080 Posted on: 06/13/2014 03:33 PM
Why Steam machine using xbox controller?
Why Steam machine using xbox controller?
kendoka15
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Senior Member
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#4841426 Posted on: 06/14/2014 10:11 PM
"Maxwell based GPU"
Basically a 750 Ti?
Ew (Good budget card but still)
"Maxwell based GPU"
Basically a 750 Ti?
Ew (Good budget card but still)
The Laughing Ma
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#4841577 Posted on: 06/15/2014 12:28 AM
So it runs Windows and uses an Xbox controller... so it's a Steam machine just without ANY of the Steam machine stuff.
So it runs Windows and uses an Xbox controller... so it's a Steam machine just without ANY of the Steam machine stuff.
HitokiriX
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Senior Member
Posts: 285
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#4841639 Posted on: 06/15/2014 02:03 AM
LOL yeah kinda defeats the purpose of the system
So it runs Windows and uses an Xbox controller... so it's a Steam machine just without ANY of the Steam machine stuff.
LOL yeah kinda defeats the purpose of the system
NAMEk
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Posts: 654
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#4841751 Posted on: 06/15/2014 05:34 AM
i3 CPU really? We don't even call it real cpu.
i3 CPU really? We don't even call it real cpu.
sunnyp_343
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Senior Member
Posts: 495
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#4842400 Posted on: 06/16/2014 02:03 AM
Price is more than PS4 and hardware is so downgrade.
Price is more than PS4 and hardware is so downgrade.
BedantP
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#4844033 Posted on: 06/17/2014 06:46 AM
Warning, The GPU is HEAVILY bottlenecked by CPU!
I'd prefer A PS4 or even my laptop...
Maxwell GPUs are pretty much, much, much, much faster that an i3.....
So pay some extra price and get the i7
Warning, The GPU is HEAVILY bottlenecked by CPU!
I'd prefer A PS4 or even my laptop...
Maxwell GPUs are pretty much, much, much, much faster that an i3.....
So pay some extra price and get the i7
Ven0m
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Senior Member
Posts: 1764
Joined: 2005-08-12
#4844085 Posted on: 06/17/2014 07:37 AM
Warning, The GPU is HEAVILY bottlenecked by CPU!
I'd prefer A PS4 or even my laptop...
Maxwell GPUs are pretty much, much, much, much faster that an i3.....
So pay some extra price and get the i7
The point is that it's a $550 machine. If you added i7, it would have too big impact on price.
Warning, The GPU is HEAVILY bottlenecked by CPU!
I'd prefer A PS4 or even my laptop...
Maxwell GPUs are pretty much, much, much, much faster that an i3.....
So pay some extra price and get the i7
The point is that it's a $550 machine. If you added i7, it would have too big impact on price.
d_mouse
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#4844281 Posted on: 06/17/2014 11:09 AM
Warning, The GPU is HEAVILY bottlenecked by CPU!
I'd prefer A PS4 or even my laptop...
Maxwell GPUs are pretty much, much, much, much faster that an i3.....
So pay some extra price and get the i7
It's REALLY not that bad....
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/intel-haswell-refresh_4.html#sect0
At high res (mostly anything above 720p) you're mostly GPU limited, and in a $500 machine what do you expect, a 4960X?
Warning, The GPU is HEAVILY bottlenecked by CPU!
I'd prefer A PS4 or even my laptop...
Maxwell GPUs are pretty much, much, much, much faster that an i3.....
So pay some extra price and get the i7
It's REALLY not that bad....
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/intel-haswell-refresh_4.html#sect0
At high res (mostly anything above 720p) you're mostly GPU limited, and in a $500 machine what do you expect, a 4960X?
vTune
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#4844308 Posted on: 06/17/2014 11:36 AM
It's nice to hear that all parts of the system can be upgraded, with an exception for the custom gpu of course. Still, $550 + upgrades like an SSD seems like a lot more than a custom mATX PC.
It's nice to hear that all parts of the system can be upgraded, with an exception for the custom gpu of course. Still, $550 + upgrades like an SSD seems like a lot more than a custom mATX PC.
kanej2007
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#4844439 Posted on: 06/17/2014 01:24 PM
I keep asking myself the same question, about MOST laptop configurations, regardless of brand.
Most models including high end ones are still using regular SATA drives unless you specify/pay more for SSD.
My brother recently purchased a high end Asus laptop and paid around £1500.
It included a GTX 770M in SLI, 16Gb ram, i7, etc...
Of course it also came with a 1Gb Sata HD, why no SSD?
Manufacturers are still using regular hard drives in their laptops, why?
Many try to fool users by adding hybrid hard drives. They are no SSD drives and still perform no where near as quick as it would if it was SSD.
Why not SSD?
I keep asking myself the same question, about MOST laptop configurations, regardless of brand.
Most models including high end ones are still using regular SATA drives unless you specify/pay more for SSD.
My brother recently purchased a high end Asus laptop and paid around £1500.
It included a GTX 770M in SLI, 16Gb ram, i7, etc...
Of course it also came with a 1Gb Sata HD, why no SSD?
Manufacturers are still using regular hard drives in their laptops, why?
Many try to fool users by adding hybrid hard drives. They are no SSD drives and still perform no where near as quick as it would if it was SSD.
Click here to post a comment for this news story on the message forum.
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It appears that the link should be http://www.guru3d.com/news_story/alienware_launching_steam_machine_with_win_8_1_this_year_for_549%09.html
Thanks for the news. I hope it'll offer acceptable performance. Design-wise, I think it would look much better if they forgot that alien head.