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this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2026
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PC Master Race
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This is true, but at that point, why not buy a computer, that's more customizable and upgradeable?
At this point in time specifically, a $1000 laptop (the comparable general purpose option) is going to be a mid-to-upper entry-level one. Because it's supposed to be general purpose, it won't have hardware chosen to maximize gaming potential. Likely all of these options would only allow a RAM or hard drive upgrade, as well. This puts them upon somewhat equal footing with the Steam Machine, except I would hazard a guess that the Steam Machine would still do better at gaming due to the hardware selection they had available at production time.
And if you mean building a $1000 gaming Linux box, good luck not going over that limit with current RAM, GPU, and SSD prices.
You said 1000$ could get you a laptop would be on equal footing with the Steam Machine, but a hand-built 1000$ desktop wouldn't? What world do you live in where laptops are cheaper than desktops?
Right now, you can't build a comparable desktop for $1000, unless you go for one of those BC250 builds. RAM, SSDs, and GPUs would push the starting price (from zero, mind you) to around $1500. Even just the 2x16 "budget RAM" I bought four years ago is close to $250-$300 for the set now.
On the other hand, you can pretty easily find a comparable entry level laptop that can do gaming for $1000. Will it beat a $1000 desktop machine from a few years ago? Will it beat a true gaming laptop? No, but that's not what we're comparing.
For me, form factor, tv compatibility, good remote play hardware, wake from sleep with controller. These are all technically possible with PCs, but a real fucking nuisance. Plus I'm curious.