Steam Machine Review: Linus Tech Tips Takes on Valve’s Gaming Console

When Valve announced the Steam Machine in 2015, the gaming community expected a hybrid console that would bring the power of PC gaming to the living‑room. Linus Sebastian of Linus Tech Tips put the device through a series of real‑world tests to see whether it could deliver on that promise. This review summarizes his findings, covering hardware specs, performance with popular titles, user experience, and overall value.

Hardware Overview

The reference Steam Machine examined by Linus is the Alienware Aurora‑R5‑based model, which ships with the following components:

The machine measures 13 inches wide, 14 inches deep, and 6 inches tall, fitting comfortably on a TV stand. Its design resembles a traditional PC tower rather than a sleek console, which is an early point of contention for users seeking a living‑room‑friendly aesthetic.

Setup and User Interface

Linus praised the straightforward setup process. After plugging the Steam Machine into a TV and connecting a controller, the device boots into SteamOS’s Big Picture mode within two minutes. The interface mirrors the Steam client on a PC, offering a library view, store access, and community features optimized for a gamepad.

For users who prefer Windows, the Steam Machine can be dual‑booted. Linus noted that the Windows installation takes an additional 30‑45 minutes and requires a separate license, but it unlocks compatibility with titles that lack native Linux support.

Performance Benchmarks

Linus ran a suite of modern games at 1080p resolution, using both native Linux ports and Windows via Proton. The results show a clear performance gap between the two environments:

  1. Counter‑Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) – 120 FPS (Linux) vs. 135 FPS (Windows)
  2. Doom (2016) – 70 FPS (Linux) vs. 85 FPS (Windows)
  3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – 55 FPS (Linux) vs. 68 FPS (Windows)
  4. Rocket League – 90 FPS (Linux) vs. 100 FPS (Windows)

All games maintained stable frame rates above