iBuyPower reveals its prototype Steam Machine

The first third-party prototype Steam Machine has been unveiled by custom PC manufacturer iBuyPower, giving developers the first glimpse of the Valve-envisioned future of the PC.

The Verge reports the device is slightly smaller than an Xbox One but costs the same $499, packing an AMD CPU with a discrete AMD Radeon R9 270 graphics card, Wi-fi, Bluetooth, and a 500GB hard drive.

The GPU alone would cost consumers about $180, so it seems the free operating system is already doing service as a cost reducer.

The packaged deal also includes Valve’s Steam Controller, which could be very pricey on its own considering the integrated touch-screen.

iBuyPower claims the prototype will be able to run all of the existing Steam for Linux library in 1080p resolutions at 60 frames per second, though that number should probably not be taken at face value.

Engadget has a decent collection of images of the white device, and those interested should definitely take a look.

Valve has promised to reveal more of the lineup of third-party Steam Machines early next year at CES.

Steam Machines are set to arrive in stores some time next year.