You can't upgrade CPU or GPU. I think at that price you are better off building your own PC and install SteamOS on it. And the Steam Machine itself is not really that strong in my opinion. Years later you can simply upgrade your graphics card without replacing the entire thing.

I own one and these are the best arguments against:

• much less upgradeable than a regular pc
• still possible to build something much more performant for the same/less money especially if you compromise on size (although this is less true every day)
• consoles still offer greater subsidized performance/dollar ratio

That said I love mine. I was nervous at first but even as a new release with some of the software kinks getting worked out it is still super low maintenance and has me playing more games than ever. I pulled the trigger based on my positive experience with the steam deck and I really do think it is a thoughtful, beautiful machine that is more than the sum of its (expensive) parts.

8. I've considered getting a Mac Mini, but the new one is too expensive.

The cheapest Steam Machine is more expensive than the cheapest Mac Mini (although a Mac Mini with comparable RAM and storage is more expensive).

• I don't trust most mini PC brands

I'm not sure how much that matters if you'd be running Linux on it anyway.

Sorry, that's all the argument I got. I myself just bought a Steam Machine with even less good reason, so...

I'm not sure how you feel about upgradability or if the functional inability to play at 4K is a deal-breaker, but aside from those downsides, the Steam Machine is the best deal in PC gaming right now (weird to say considering how pricey it is), and would be an upgrade in your case.

It's likely going to be able to run new AAA games for at least the first half of the PS6 generation while likely being way cheaper now than what Sony will sell its competitor for. It's also incredible at emulating everything up to Switch, and even Bloodborne via ShadPS4, and I can say from experience that it handles PS3/GameCube/PS2 amazingly well.

And unlike most Mini PC manufacturers, Valve makes high-quality, long-lasting products, and you can find detailed guides and replacement parts on ifixit. I've had awful experiences with companies like Minisforum due to hardware issues, but I am a Steam Machine user and I can honestly say it's the best "console" or PC I've ever owned.

I mean it's not hard to create a compelling argument for not buying one. Just watch pretty much any of the reviews.

The easiest argument is that you can do better building your own PC and putting SteamOS or Bazzite or Cachy handheld editions on it.

However it will likely be much larger, less efficient, and possibly more noisy. And won't support HDMI-CEC.

Based on what you said, you can get a slightly cheaper pre built that's more powerful. It'll run the newer games better. The cube will struggle even on 1080 on a lot of the new AAA games. The cube premium is mostly to do with the form factor and console like features such as the CEC control for your media center. If you don't care about that or the form factor get a cheaper pre built probably and install steamos or one of the forks.

GG on your place on the list. Got mine a few months ago. Played like half an hour on it. Have fun!

Do you want to cancel your steam machine?

I know you asked for the opposite, but it actually sounds like you're a good fit for the Steam Machine. You didn't mention the price being a deal breaker. You will appreciate the form factor and quietness. You want performance, but you're apparently not a stickler for it, and the Steam Machine should be enough performance for a long while, especially with the market stagnating. You already like Linux. You mentioned a busy life, and the Steam Machine doesn't require you to build it, makes getting in and out of games as fast as it's possible to be on PC, and is popular enough that you will have the most possible reference material for quickly setting unique things up (like emulation) or doing troubleshooting.

Now, it does have less modularity and upgradability than your typical desktop PC, including small form factor builds (usually still at least twice the size and noisier), but how big of a negative that is is up to you.

You mentioned the Steam Deck being too heavy. Have you tried using it, or is that an assumption based on its listed weight? I personally find it so well balanced that it feels lighter than it actually is, and that's apparently a common opinion, but I'm always interested in seeing other opinions. It's probably the best backlog killer available now (including over the Steam Machine) if you can work with its compromises.

Steam Machine has been awesome for me as a TV PC and couch gaming machine. Cloud gaming is anti-consumer and being able to get away from subscription-based nonsense would be a serious advantage if you do choose to buy it. Owning your own hardware puts you in control, not NVIDIA. SteamOS is great but the Steam Machine is just a PC at the end of the day, you can put SteamOS on another PC and you can install other OSes on the Steam Machine. I have my Machine triple booting SteamOS, Arch, and Windows.

Did you get the order email at the same time? I've seen numerous reports of this, but didn't happen for me.

I quit GFN when they added the play time limits. Really gave me anxiety. Plus they tend to add games i could play with my framework laptop anyway. Was a good service until then.

If you are fine with GFN's service, my advice would be to stick to it. I think you cant get away cheaper. If you are OK with their limitations. Also you still own your games and build a library with GFN.

Speaking of owning. You don't own Steam games. You purchase a license to access them.