Steam Machine for little sister? Or nah?
Posted by thr0waway6260@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 37 comments
I grew up on the Playstations, PS1, 2, my favorite PS3, 4 & my partner begrudgingly bought a 5.
But throughout those years right before the release of the 4 pro, I had indefinitely swapped over to PC. I couldn't believe what I was missing out on. Those consecutive $15 bucks a month for YEARS could've been so many titles from Steam Sale events and what have you.
My little sister got a ps5 from my stepmother... okay sure that's fun and all but I do not wish for her to fall into the same trap as I did.
I'd like to BUY my sister the STEAM MACHINE—but if its going to be expensive as everyone thinks it will be, I'm thinking I'd be better off just getting her a PC? She'd have to upgrade it eventually but not for a long time if I choose parts wisely and judge on the type of games she will play and grow to play.
My problem with a PC is unrestricted internet access and perhaps program complications sure Steam has a browser but I'm imagining the Steam Machine more like a console anyway. She'd be able to boot up titles quickly like DST or what have you something casual VS having to install programs and the responsibility of owning a PC. This would be familiar ground to her. Mods are something else but I picture Steam Machine being able to have some kind of modder accessibility.
Sorry this has gotten long I just am looking for opinions. She is a relatively new gamer but by no means novice. She currently enjoys Overwatch 2 (I want her to learn m&k for competitive shooters), DBD, she used to play Friday 13th, and amongst other titles. All of which I think would be a better experience on PC personally, and without the need for spending a monthly subscription to play your games online. What would somebody else do?
Shap6@reddit
stick with the PS5
Vaxtez@reddit
I don't even disagree with this. Yes, the PS5 may have that monthly subscription (and i hate that they keep it), but the PS5 is the better machine spec wise overall. The Steam Machine will be slower than an RX 6600 GPU-wise (since the Steam Machine has an RX 7600M) if benchmarks are anything to go by & the CPU (roughly a Ryzen 5 7540U iirc) is not too much better than the Ryzen 4700S-like CPU in the PS5 either.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
She does save her little money, but when you game for years that $15 stacks up incredibly fast. If I were to consecutively be spending monthly money for video games I'd much rather get a couple or several depending on sales
And also the fact you'd have to jailbreak your console to play anything else besides PS5 games
SurpriseExtension929@reddit
You don't have to pay monthly at all if they are just playing single player games or free games such as fortnite. PS games goes on sale pretty often too, unless they are wanting to play new games at launch.
Cheezewiz239@reddit
That $15 gets you decent monthly games to be fair plus a catalog of PS4 first party games i think.
Vaxtez@reddit
PS5 also has access to alot of PS4 titles though. She has alot of titles to play on the PS5.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
She already library shares with my account tho, she has ever 2k games at her fingertips. The ps5 will be replaced with a ps6 just like how they are charging for $70 games now. She shouldn't have to spend a sub to play something like dead by daylight online.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
I just disagree her games do not support M&k the PS5 is not what I would've gotten her my stepmother has always been out of touch.
When I hold a controller, my wrists so close together reminds me of having handcuffs on LMAO sorry just my opinion I appreciate it
Shap6@reddit
another factor
a ton of the most popular ones wont even be playable on the steam machine since its linux. the ps5 just makes the most sense to me here. if she shows interest in being a more hardcore gamer reevaluate down the road IMO. ps5 is better for someone more casual.
and FWIW some people just prefer controllers. i use them for every game on PC. even shooters
anikom15@reddit
Can’t you use M&K on a PS5 anyway?
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
Games like Overwatch considers that a ban
anikom15@reddit
Lol. Lmao.
Shap6@reddit
its down to the game to support it but yes. some do, some dont
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
I'm just not letting her sit behind console confinement, I did it for too long and I ultimately regret it because I could've gotten emulators or roms or what have you to experience the kind of games I wanted to play or replay
-UserRemoved-@reddit
I think you came here thinking a PC building subreddit would be against consoles, but we aren't. They fill a role in the gaming industry, and they simply make sense for a lot of people. You'd have to spend a lot more money on a PC to get a similar gaming experience as a console.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
No you are so wong but I appreciate you commenting none the less. I did not do such thing I was just looking for opinions.
The issue is that she doesn't know what she wants! not at her age but thanks since you know her so well
Shap6@reddit
for most people gaming just isnt that serious. ive had consoles. ive had PC's. they're both fine. i currently have both and go between them regularly. games are fleeting, you play them and move on. i wouldnt try to force her into something new if she enjoys the ps5
-UserRemoved-@reddit
If I was her stepmother, I probably would have also bought her a PS5.
Gaming with a controller on PC is extremely common.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
Didn't say it was uncommon just gave my personal opinion there's no reason to not use m&k especially in competitive shooters, its very common to stomp a thumb twister in something so fast paced
-UserRemoved-@reddit
Personal preference is an acceptable reason, and competitive shooters aren't for everyone.
I actually stopped playing competitive shooters on PC and prefer them on console, everyone is on an even playing field when playing competitive console games.
I use mouse and keyboard for RTS games on PC, otherwise I use a controller whenever possible.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
That's what I'm saying, you get into rivals and its not a even playing field. Not every game is the same. You are locked into console code while I have changed my INI file for better frame rate and have the advantage because im using my wrist to aim.
Try playing something like Quake with a controller LMAO like there is a clear limitation with being console locked and frankly, ps5 hasn't had any good times in forever. Last excluse I enjoyed was Bloodborne. That was forever ago!!
Shap6@reddit
competitive isn't crossplay. only quick play and the other modes
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
Sure just like how cross progression works, why have her start on ps5 have her buy skins, to then swap over to PC to REBUY same skins and games. Me being the brother I am will circumvent this redundancy.
Shap6@reddit
you dont have to rebuy skins. i use the same rivals account on pc and ps5 and everything syncs
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
Since when? I don't have my Closed Beta test Venom bc I got the code on PS5 and earned it on console, vice versa with my s0 skin for Moon Knight being earned on PC. I have to manually swap accounts to play the game with each skin.
Shap6@reddit
they did add that more recently. within the last ~6-8 months i think
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
Well I appreciate that much, I am lowkey excited to see if I have my venom skin now
-UserRemoved-@reddit
There isn't a clear limitation, I've been gaming on PC and consoles for decades. My college years were exclusively spent on console gaming since I was broke, played COD, Halo, Unreal, and other popular shooters just fine.
I also grew up playing PC gaming with CS (I stopped playing at 1.6), Starseige Tribes, Serious Sam, Quake, and many other PC titles with mouse and keyboard.
I enjoyed both just fine, and if you feel differently then that's just a differing opinion. I just think you're forcing your opinion onto your family, and that doesn't make much sense to me. If she likes her PS5 and enjoys playing on it, then leave it at that. PC isn't superior, that's a tongue in cheek saying that none of us actually believe, we just want people to game in the way that makes them happy. In fact, most of us choose a platform based on what our friends play.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
I never said she enjoyed it tho, look I appreciate it but its not that deep. I'll be sure to toss her ps5 and just build her something killer myself. I'll install an OS too with plenty of emulators, and enough ram to let her enjoy stuff like generative AI. Something she can learn instead of bring broke and playing Xbox all day.
Please tell me when a console can do any of that without being jail broke.
CaptainPigtails@reddit
Does matter if you disagree. You aren't the one playing.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
Doesn't*
Qyasumi@reddit
Why ask if you already made your decision?
It’s gonna come down to price for most people, if the steam machine costs more than the ps5, then the steam machine just flat out won’t be worth the money.
anikom15@reddit
Steam Machine is currently vaporware.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
I see now thank you
Chronigan2@reddit
Rather fitting for a Steam Machine.
-UserRemoved-@reddit
We can't advise if you should buy a Steam Machine since it doesn't exist yet, ask us after release when we can actually buy it and test it.
thr0waway6260@reddit (OP)
Smart call okay I just wanted to get her something before her birthday