Welcome to The Full Nerd publication—your weekly dose of {hardware} speak from the fans at PCWorld. Missed the stunning matters on our YouTube show or newest information from throughout the net? You’re in the suitable place.
Want this text to come back on to your inbox? Sign up on our website!
Well. I checked outdoors my window when information broke of a Steam Machine 2.0—no pigs. So with a little bit of round logic, I’ll say that Will shouldn’t have doubted the return of Valve’s front room gaming console.
It is true that the primary Steam Machine didn’t take. The world largely regarded it as a curiosity. Valve’s {hardware} companions and their subdued advertising and marketing didn’t do a lot to assist that notion. No one knew what to make of a factor not fairly a PC or console, with much less capacity to play video games.
I’ve seen this preliminary try referred to as a “failure,” most just lately by IGN in its information writeup of this reborn Steam Machine. But Valve held on for an extended whereas—it gave the try a number of years. To me, its eventual withdrawal from the {hardware} market at all times recommended a retrenching, quite than abandonment.
And wow, what a comeback.
The new Steam Machine straddles the road between PC and console gaming a lot extra successfully. It appears to be like extra like a console, for starters. I might anticipate to see it in a front room in a media heart subsequent to a PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch. (I imply, you can mistake it for an Xbox Series X’s half-pint sibling.)
Simultaneously, its specs punch like a respectible finances gaming PC. Inside will probably be a semi-custom configuration of an AMD Zen 4 six-core, 12-thread CPU with a 30W TDP, AMD RDNA3 110W TDP GPU with 28 compute items and a 110W TDP, 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, and 16GB DDR5 reminiscence. The storage and reminiscence will probably be upgradable, too.
For the primary time, I believe the PC could also be poised to seize a hefty chunk of console players.
Valve
Much has modified since 2014. Linux gaming support improved, largely due to Valve’s work on Proton. Upscaling tech has progressed in leaps and bounds. The Covid pandemic put PC constructing and PC gaming on extra radars. And Valve established with the Steam Deck that it may possibly construct wonderful {hardware}. (Which conveniently serves as a showcase for stated Proton growth.)
And—considerably crucially—two main console gamers shifted their conduct. Sony began to launch its video games on PC. And Microsoft started pushing {hardware} additional into the background for its Xbox model.
I take into account myself an Xbox fan. I personal a number of generations and even a number of variations of Xbox consoles. I really like the Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers, as I’ve talked about many instances on TFN. And sure, full disclosure, I nonetheless maintain deep gratitude in my coronary heart for its place in my profession.
But I don’t play Overwatch 2 on my console. I play it on a PC. In reality, I’ve accomplished most of my gaming on PC because the pandemic—and so have a lot of my mates. Tougher financial instances and {hardware} shortage pressured us to be extra pragmatic about the place and the way we play our video games. And I don’t suppose we’re uncommon.
So even when this second run at a Steam Machine finally ends up priced greater than a typical console when it launches in early 2026, I don’t suppose it would fail. Even if it stays the plaything of fans and other people with disposable revenue, I don’t suppose it would fail in any respect.
Valve
Because as excited as I’m about its {hardware}, this Steam Machine’s existence may spark a PC takeover of console gaming. I consider the brand new Steam Machine will serve the identical function because the Steam Deck. Not to win folks over immediately, however to make folks take note of the software program that powers it.
Software that would simply energy a PC you already personal—or construct your self. If the Steam Machine can show that it’s possible to deal with a PC like a console (actually!), then the launch of SteamOS for anybody to put in may simply pave the way in which for the PC to drag in console players who not care what {hardware} they play on.
I believe with painful rising prices of reminiscence and storage, that would occur sooner than all of us assume.
So it is smart to me that the Steam Machine is again. Its time has lastly come.
In this episode of The Full Nerd
In this episode of The Full Nerd, Adam Patrick Murray, Will Smith, and two particular company—Steve Burke of Gamers Nexus and Sean Hollister of The Verge—hash out the nitty-gritty of Valve’s main {hardware} bulletins. Talk a few cornucopia of Linux-based gaming, simply in time for Thanksgiving. Valve teased three new releases for early 2026: a brand new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and VR headset (Steam Frame).
Both Steve and Sean received up shut with the brand new {hardware}, and so they drop a number of juicy particulars throughout the hour-plus of chatting. You wish to know the actual specs, just like the tough avenue equal of the semi-custom CPU and the way the upscaling to 4K works out? They discuss it.
(My favourite tidbit: The Steam Controller’s built-in lithium battery is person replaceable. I’m staff Xbox controller partially as a result of I like the pliability of swapping rechargeable AA batteries on the fly.)
But that’s not all! Even after our company needed to go, Adam and Will go on to debate AMD’s continuing success with Ryzen and PCWorld’s Best of 2025 picks for {hardware} and software program.
Yeah, lots has occurred in November already.
Willis Lai / Foundry
Missed our stay present? Subscribe now to The Full Nerd Network YouTube channel, and activate notifications. We additionally reply viewer questions in real-time!
Don’t miss out on our NEW exhibits too—you may catch episodes of Dual Boot Diaries and The Full Nerd: Extra Edition now! And in case you want extra {hardware} speak throughout the remainder of the week, come be part of our Discord community—it’s filled with cool, laid-back nerds.
This week’s huge nerd information
Valve’s announcement dominated this week—although in equity, the brand new Steam Machine represents an enormous potential paradigm shift, as Brad commented in a employees chat. But it wasn’t the one factor for us {hardware} fans to chew on. AMD confirmed Zen 7 chips and a glimpse at its roadmap for desktop graphics and NPUs, and reminiscence makers appear desirous to hike their contracts by an eye-watering quantity. I’m beginning to really feel some emotional whiplash.
Also, I actually checked the calendar once I learn in regards to the Apple iPhone Pocket.
Chris Hoffman / Foundry
- AMD confirms Zen 7 CPU plans: In the identical presentation to monetary analysts, Dr. Lisa Su stated that Ryzen holds over 50 % of the desktop CPU channel. How instances have modified.
- Sorry, Adam: Valve gained’t be releasing a Steam Deck 2 any time quickly.
- Memory makers will only modestly increase production capacity for 2026: Painful for customers, however comprehensible from a enterprise perspective. No one desires to be left holding the bag for costly investments if (when) the AI bubble pops and demand collapses.
- Also understandable, but made me sigh: SanDisk reportedly is elevating its NAND flash reminiscence contract pricing by 50 %. And it appears to have kicked off comparable consideration in rival module makers. Man, 2026 goes to be a journey.
- This is why we use Firefox: Thwarting digital fingerprinting? Yes, please. (I want extra folks would take privateness critically, however I’m actually within the minority on this one. Both when it comes to my most well-liked browser of alternative, and this stance.)
- I’ve wanted a Windows “professional mode” for YEARS: Microsoft gained’t change its course, however it was vindicating to listen to a former Windows dev voice what I’ve grumbled about since Windows XP launched.
Apple
- What is fair use? I discovered the feedback on this Ars Technica article extra fascinating than the write-up itself, due to how robust the perspective appears slanted towards a U.S. tackle truthful use. What’s your nation like?
- Wow, this isn’t a joke: Apple is promoting a knitted sling for iPhones. Starting at $150. Topping out at $230. I needed to double-check I hadn’t time-warped to April 1. (I assume that is excellent news for Etsy sellers who miss making iPod socks.)
- Speaking of Sony and PC gaming support: This tantalizing rumor a few counter to Xbox’s “Play Anywhere” function would make it even simpler to change into platform agnostic.
- First the em dash, now good manners: Look, I’m no fan of AI bots, however there’s miserable irony in the concept that it’s a must to search for toxicity to seek out actual people on-line.
- I miss the glory days of WordPerfect 6.1: Y’all most likely already tinker with DOS emulators commonly. Normal folks use them for video games. Me, once I noticed our website’s newest how-to information on emulation? I instantly considered my favourite phrase processing software program. (Yeah, I do know I’m bizarre.)
- I think I used to lug around a CRT TV this weight: Compaq. That’s a reputation that brings me again. Maybe not fairly this far—however I nonetheless had a deep wave of nostalgia considering again to IBM clones.
Speaking of console gaming—the Analogue3D will lastly begin shipping on November 18. (Whoa.) With all of the tariffs and the practically year-long delay, I didn’t suppose I’d ever get mine. You’ll discover me reliving my finest youthful years with a replay of The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask (in excessive decision!) as quickly as I arrange the console in my front room.
Yeah, I may emulate it on PC (and I’ve), however that’s the fantastic thing about being platform agnostic.
Catch you all subsequent week!
~Alaina
This publication is devoted to the reminiscence of Gordon Mah Ung, founder and host of The Full Nerd, and government editor of {hardware} at PCWorld.