It looks like a console but this is in fact a third-party Steam box prototype from iBuyPower which is set to launch next year.
The system will run Steam OS and it’s touting performance of 1080p running Steam games at 60fps. Revealed by Engadget, there are two versions with the rather apt codenames of “Gordon” and “Freeman”.
A subsequent report on The Verge reveals that the system will cost $499 and comes with an integrated power supply which means no annoying separate console-brick style power unit. The specs are apparently a multicore AMD CPU and a “discrete AMD Radeon R9 270” to power the graphics. For storage there’s a 500Gb HD, comes with Steam OS loaded and also a Steam controller, which is just as well as it would be pretty useless without it.
As far as price is concerned it’s comparable to the new Xbox One, its customisable lighting trim is also rather nice but I still have this niggling feeling that for a couple more hundred bucks you could have a PC which could do a lot more.
The concept of a Steam box in the living room is a nice idea but I’m still not convinced the idea will be fully embraced by the masses. However, with the might of Valve behind it I will of course be proved wrong.
More details on iBuyPower’s “Gordon” and “Freeman” are expected to be revealed at CES next year.
