Hi everyone!
I had been a Playstation user since the first one and I own the fifth one.
After using Linux for years on weak computers for my admin, I decided to try Linux gaming in 2025 and bought a used LCD Steam Deck.
While I’ve been enjoying the Steam Deck, it hurts my neck and isn’t powerful enough for sim racing games.
Naturally, I was happy to learn that the Steam Machine was coming and was willing to invest up to CHF1000.- (~$1236) to get it.
Sadly, it’s not available to order in my country, Switzerland.
So now I have to choose between finding ways to order a Steam Machine or buying a prebuilt computer since I don’t want to source components to build something myself.
My priority would still be the Steam Machine, but I’d be open to alternatives.
What are your advices, what would you do if you’re in the same situation?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Edit and update:
Thank you all for your answers and useful links! You gave me some great advices!
In the end, I'll keep using a combo of Steam Deck and Playstation 5 for a while. The Steam Deck for almost every game, but more often than before docked to preserve my neck, and the Playstation 5 for demanding racing games or an eventual Last Of Us 3.
Then, around 2029, once my Playstation 5 is gonna be old and not upgradeable, I'll get a Linux gaming rig which is gonna be more powerful. At that time, I'll have a better disposable income, but I'd still want to pay around CHF 1000.- anyway.
It'll also allow me to fully emulate all my Playstation games which aren't available on PC, at least from PS1 to PS4 generations, and use these consoles as decoration for memories.
I'd just build my own PC, duh.
Never understood the hype behind pre-builts. Over half the fun of owning a gaming PC is picking your own parts and assembling it yourself. By having someone else do that part, you're robbing yourself of the joy of owning your own custom machine.
Plenty of people just want an appliance to play games.
I build my own, but that's because I want to save money. Actually picking the parts and figuring out compatibility, specs, etc is my least favorite exercise. Luckily I have a friend who cares way more about that, so I tell them what I want to achieve and they give me a shopping list.
Hence why consoles exist.
Like the other person said, we have game consoles for that. That's fine if someone wants an appliance; buy one then. I just get frustrated when those same people go ahead and buy a pre-built made with low-end parts and insufficient cooling, then when one of those parts break, they blame it on PC gaming as a whole rather than realizing it's a result of their own incompetence. God forbid such a person runs into a minor inconvenience such as having to edit an .ini file...no, the "appliance" people should stay in their lane.
Right, a game console, such as the Steam Machine. And unlike traditional game consoles, you have options if Sony / Microsoft etc decide to increase prices or remove games from your existing library at will. Especially now that physical discs are going away.