Dell: Alienware-Steam Machine is the least profitable System Ever
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Smikis
now that's a shocker..... as if anyone didn't knew that would happen
lucidus
Lol steam machines will be a tougher sell than the Wii U.
schmidtbag
"doubts that the platform can compete with the Sony Playstation 4 and Xbox One from Microsoft."
No ****, Sherlock. Honestly how dumb can this guy be? Even if Dell/Alienware had the ONLY steambox available, had it run Windows, with pricing competitive to PS4, it STILL would be less popular than XB1. The stupidity in this guy's evaluation is mind blowing. No wonder Dell is struggling.
Aveon
Din't see this one coming though was expecting it a lot.
The last time time I saw an Alienware system being review was decades ago
rta
Worried about competition from the new consoles? Derp. Not to mention PC's.
For the prices they seem to be going to charge for those things I just can't understand why someone wouldn't just use a home computer for Steam. I can't even imagine what demographic they were hoping to fill with this thing. I wanna laugh but I just shake my head.
nhlkoho
Well it is Alienware afterall. Overpriced as always.
TheDeeGee
Plus One
kendoka15
Steamboxes aren't a replacement for desktop PCs but I guess Dell doesn't get that
Edit:
Oh and by the way the title of the article stated it IS the least profitable system ever when it isn't even being sold yet. Kinda misleading
GhostXL
People still buy Alienware???
IMO this guy should worry about the future of all their products, not just picking on Steambox.
Not that I'm interested in Steambox, but I don't know anybody in person that doesn't build their own PC, or get someone else to these days.
Unless its just a Net PC. Even then you would not go for Alienware.
Redemption80
I quite like the Alienware Steam-Machine, and if any of the SteamOS systems are going to sell well and make a profit then its this one.
Saying that it does make you wonder why Dell are bothering if they have such pessimistic expectations, possibly hinting that Valve should be cutting them in or subsiding things if they want them to keep making the machines.
KissSh0t
cinsumers > consumers
Please use spell-check for articles 9__9
Serotonin
Steam boxes are not going to be successful in my opinion. Console gamers want consoles, PC gamers want gaming pc's. I don't know why either side would invest in a second machine like this.
Console gamers like consoles for ease of use, exclusive titles, etc.
Pc gamers enjoy rigs with power that kills any console (but games that ironically are visually limited to console based engines), modding, tweaking high resolutions, 60 frames...
Great it runs on a supposed more efficient OS. Lets see the proof supporting those claims first, then go find me some decent sized developers that are willing to spend money creating games on a new OS/Platform that isn't a console.
Half-Life 3 being 100% linux only would be a great start, but that game would need to be available at launch of all this, which could also never happen. Financially it would be a hell of a risk and valve time runs 14 years later than everyone else.
There is no market here for these things. It's just a dumb idea and in a year these things won't be around anymore, disagree with me all you want, this is a complete failure and Dell understands the writing on the wall, I;m confused why they went through with it, especially since they're losing money as is without this new money pit being dug.
Robbo9999
True, but I like their laptops, I bought mine for a steal from the Dell Outlet (refurbished), and it's been awesome. Excellent build quality, and GPU temperatures at my overclock of no more than 67 degC. They do build some good stuff, on the laptop side, but I agree - they are expensive if you buy them new.
Steam boxes? I think the only plus side for me is the performance you might gain from using a Steam OS, which you can use on any PC anyway if you choose - hmmm, maybe not such a plus point then! Oh, but then there's the unique controller - and again, you'll be able to buy one of those for your PC anyway. Yep, I think the whole Steam Box thing is a hard sell! Steam OS could be cool though if it offers significant tangible gaming benefits, but given Mantle/DX12 optimisations I feel that SteamOS is not going to be delivering much beyond those.
Rexob
Alienware is overpriced, but so is Falcon Northwest - yet they remain in business. People buying them know one thing - they want a gaming PC with a "name" behind it & willing to shell out the $$$. Sure most anyone on these forums have built PCs for years now, but I know plenty of people who game, and can't tell me the first thing about their machine either. I ask what GPU does it have? They reply - I don't know, it's Alienware and cost X amount.
They're buying a name and the convenience of ignorance in most cases...
Laykun
Dell is a company that really struggles to remain relevant to its consumers. On one hand you have these behemoth gaming laptops which weigh a ton that most people who are gamers don't want to lug around and they have the Dell XPS line which is nice and light but not powerful enough for any gamer. If Alienware doesn't produce a thin light and powerful machine some time soon I feel their relevance with gamers will fade into non-existence. I don't see that happening either unless they want to butcher the sales for their seperate divisions.
How can you compete with platforms that don't make any profit on the hardware?
Robbo9999
I'm definitely not one of those people! 🙂 (mine is self modded/upgraded)
SHS
Dell must be clue less as console are not upgrade and console gamers are use less to us modding and small dev.
But know Dell it will must likey be lock down there it not off shelf replacement parts just like Laptop and other Mobile device and min other custom PC which have very short life span.
There min plus with the Steam Box we can order off the shelf replacement parts from any one so any one can just build your own gee it not that hard after all it nothing more the small form factor (SFF) know as MiniITX.
With Steam now support linux and have there software os kit this along open the door for lot more possible and there box can run Windows as well so you not limited to one OS.
Corrupt^
Anyone with half a brain that goes el cheapo on non vital parts can make a decent enough system out of that money indeed.
(Cheap i5 or AMD equivalent, nvidia 760GTX or AMD equivalent, be a cheapskate on the other parts like you've never done before = you'll get there)
K done, € 734,06 for a system with a 770GTX 2GB and Intel Core i5 4670K / 3.4 GHz, 8GB DDR3. Went el cheapo on the HDD though, 500GB xD
Fender178
It seems like it to me that the people at Dell are just predicting that the Alienware steam machine is not going to be very profitable.
Also Alienware machines are overpriced for what they are. With the right parts you can build your own computer that would destroy an alienware.
The idea for Steam Machines is pointless because most of us have capable PC that could be a Steam Machine.
HeavyHemi
http://www.alienalley.com/l2917.jpg
