Alienware Steam Machines are un-upgradable, will be released annually

Alienware has announced its plans to launch Steam Machines every year, in order to mimic the lifecycles of consoles.

Alienware GM Frank Azor confirmed the plans toTrustedReviews, commenting that, like the consoles produced by Sony and Microsoft, the hardware of Alienware’s Steam Machines would be locked.

Gamers wanting to play the latest games at the highest settings will therefore have to buy an entirely new system.

"Lifecycle wise, consoles update every five, six, seven years, we will be updating our Steam Machines every year," he explained. There will be no customisation options – you can’t really update it."

PCR has more details.