I honestly don't know how disruptive this device would ever have been....
It's an ok 1080p 60 fps low/med settings PC rig right now. Sure you might get a bit more out of it using FSR. We knew that before the thing was in anyone's hands, so the fact the actual real data-led metrics back that up doesn't come as a surprise. It just factually confirms the box can't challenge console hardware that is now 6 years old.
The last remaining big-ticket selling point as I see it is having access to cheaper (and already purchased) games via Steam. I still think that always put it in a niche rather than mainstream category given that means you're expecting existing (or new) PC owners to purchase it. I get its 'cute' and well engineered, but I never fully understood how this was going to sell any more than say, Steam Deck, already has.
Now we have it, overlaying the pricing, I have no idea beyond Valve and other niche enthusiasts who's going to buy this box in any numbers.
I think it's still likely to 'sell out' but given the scope of launch is very small. Its success to me should be judged on whether this is a device that's going to actually sell any meaningful numbers over the next 2-3 years. On that I remain very sceptical.
@Hydra_Spectre actually I'm the opposite. Always having to have full AA batteries that's I've charged in a separate charger so I can swap them out is more inconvenience than simply plugging a controller in. Also, the Switch charges the joy cons for you by nature of the console design, so it's doubtful Nintendo are going down the route of allowing joy cons to have standard AAA batteries. This would remove one of the convenience elements of the current console design, in that you never have to worry about charging the joy cons pretty much as they just do that when attached to the console.
I watched this over the weekend, incredibly insightful. I love these developer deep dives, even though a good 50%+ goes over my head I understand enough to appreciate the talent and engineering that goes into these sorts of games.
As a big Uncharted fan, and someone that has seriously missed their fix of big, bombastic single player narrative led games this generation, I’m really looking forward to this. Although I already have a massive backlog of games still to finish, I might have to bump this up the list?
Whilst I know financially times are tough for some people too, I also think, as long as it’s good (and at this point I’d be really surprised if it’s not) I think it’s important for people like myself to show my support by making a purchase, to demonstrate these sorts of games can still be commercially successful.
And if the Switch 2 version turns out well, I may even double-dip ☺️
I think we’re missing some crucial nuance in the PS5/XboxXS/PC comparison. While this generation is the closest consoles have ever been to PC hardware, the custom silicon for I/O decompression and low-level API optimisations still create a distinct architectural "gap" that raw PC specs often overlook.
The real differentiator, though IMO, is the consistency of experience. As a macOS user, I’ve seen how "enshitified" the Windows environment has become from still having to use Windows for work; the beauty of a console is the specialised UI and the lack of a need to dive "under the bonnet." For many, the value is in staying well away from a Windows sandbox.
Also, I’m laying down the gauntlet: Why is the Switch consistently excluded?
If Digital Foundry aims to be the gold standard for technical analysis, journalistic completeness requires looking at all major hardware philosophies. You can't define the "technical console baseline" in 2026 while ignoring the platform with the largest audience. Whether it’s the efficiency of the Switch 1 or the scaling tech in the Switch 2, it belongs in this conversation and many other DF articles, where like this one, Nintendo is given a scant mention then largely ignored.
It took me a while to leap but once I moved to MacOS about 5 years ago I’ve never looked back. Whenever I have to touch a personal Windows based machine these days I can’t believe how bloated and unintuitive it all feels. Microsoft really was trailblazing enshittification before it started to become so popular.
Alan Wake 2, GT7 and Astrobot are some of the games I’ve spent time with this past week or so and I can genuinely tell the difference. I do have a 75” 8K Sony TV so that does help a little.
Ironically it was Astrobot of all the titles so far I really could tell the difference with without even giving it any thought; I’m towards the end of the game and a level is set amongst lots of green grasses and the clarity and resolution of the grass was just a night/day difference with new PSSR. Astrobot was not the game I was expecting for me to run up the flagpole for PSSR improvements (it is a beautiful game of course) so it was a genuine surprise.
I would say however, this version of PSSR has been a long time coming when really, it should have been what Sony launched the Pro with in the first place. The first iteration clearly wasn’t really totally fit a game-changing selling point to sell an upgraded hardware revision on IMO.
So a welcome addition for sure, but one, now that we have it and can see how really transformative it is, that Sony really should have had ready day one of the PS5 Pro launch.
Really surprised that the Steam machine ended up being the most watched video. I’m yet to fully understand who the target audience is for this thing. I love new a new, major hardware release - my Switch 2 is giving me no end of joy still - but the specs and potential pricing of this leaves me cold.
Who can say what DLSS feature’s Nintendos first party titles may eventually make use of? Because well, Nintendo. However with the features baked into the hardware I’m going to guess we will see something - eventually. It wouldn’t surprise me if that something is still years away though. Because well, Nintendo.
@Lotus_DF with DF analysis pointing towards somewhere between Xbox S/S and PS5 performance it very much has more of a 2020 smell about it than a 2023 whiff. I too am struggling to know who this is targeted at, and indeed, why so much fanfare apart from it’s an ‘open’ platform compacted into a nice form.
@SteamyDeck I guess that’s cool if you’re happy playing old PC games. But I still think you’re a niche and not representing the majority. As a PS5 and Switch 2 owner, you’d surely use the PS5 to continue to buy current gen and Sony exclusive games over the Steam console unless you’re willing to wait for the PC PS5 exclusives or play your games at a lower spec. Your Switch 2 is surely there to play the Nintendo exclusives… maybe a game like Cyberpunk which again is going to run better but be more expensive?
I mean you’re still shelling out the £400+ to play Steam discounted games, that £400 could still be put towards a lot of games on the PS5/Switch 2.
But heh, each to their own, if you’re excited about out it, smashing
I’m struggling to work out who the target audience for this is? Is it PS4 users who have yet to make the next gen leap (why would they leave the PS ecosystem system?). It can’t be existing PS5 or X/SX owners. Surely a PC enthusiast looking for a similar build would just…. build their own and probably do it with better specs? Sure they would be still tied to Windows and wouldn’t be benefitting from Steam OS.
I’m failing to understand the love DF are having for this ‘console’? Am I missing something?!
Hoorah it’s here! Massive congrats on the new web site, can’t wait to be making good use of my new bookmark. Shout out to the folks at Hookshot with I think is a brilliant collab for you, and Sam Machkovech too for the endless hours you must have invested in getting the site off the ground. Well done all!
Comments 15
Re: Review: Steam Machine: Beautiful Hardware, Console Performance - At A Price
I honestly don't know how disruptive this device would ever have been....
It's an ok 1080p 60 fps low/med settings PC rig right now. Sure you might get a bit more out of it using FSR. We knew that before the thing was in anyone's hands, so the fact the actual real data-led metrics back that up doesn't come as a surprise. It just factually confirms the box can't challenge console hardware that is now 6 years old.
The last remaining big-ticket selling point as I see it is having access to cheaper (and already purchased) games via Steam. I still think that always put it in a niche rather than mainstream category given that means you're expecting existing (or new) PC owners to purchase it. I get its 'cute' and well engineered, but I never fully understood how this was going to sell any more than say, Steam Deck, already has.
Now we have it, overlaying the pricing, I have no idea beyond Valve and other niche enthusiasts who's going to buy this box in any numbers.
I think it's still likely to 'sell out' but given the scope of launch is very small. Its success to me should be judged on whether this is a device that's going to actually sell any meaningful numbers over the next 2-3 years. On that I remain very sceptical.
Re: Nintendo Confirms New Switch 2 Hardware With Replaceable Battery
@Hydra_Spectre actually I'm the opposite. Always having to have full AA batteries that's I've charged in a separate charger so I can swap them out is more inconvenience than simply plugging a controller in. Also, the Switch charges the joy cons for you by nature of the console design, so it's doubtful Nintendo are going down the route of allowing joy cons to have standard AAA batteries. This would remove one of the convenience elements of the current console design, in that you never have to worry about charging the joy cons pretty much as they just do that when attached to the console.
Re: 007 Tech Secrets From Our First Light Deep Dive: Why Series S Is 30fps, How It Hits 60fps Elsewhere and Much More
I watched this over the weekend, incredibly insightful. I love these developer deep dives, even though a good 50%+ goes over my head I understand enough to appreciate the talent and engineering that goes into these sorts of games.
As a big Uncharted fan, and someone that has seriously missed their fix of big, bombastic single player narrative led games this generation, I’m really looking forward to this. Although I already have a massive backlog of games still to finish, I might have to bump this up the list?
Whilst I know financially times are tough for some people too, I also think, as long as it’s good (and at this point I’d be really surprised if it’s not) I think it’s important for people like myself to show my support by making a purchase, to demonstrate these sorts of games can still be commercially successful.
And if the Switch 2 version turns out well, I may even double-dip ☺️
Re: Review: Forza Horizon 6: PC Ray Tracing Looks Great - A Hint Of The Project Helix Port To Come?
I'm waiting for the PS5 Pro version
Re: Is Xbox Project Helix a Console or a PC?
I think we’re missing some crucial nuance in the PS5/XboxXS/PC comparison. While this generation is the closest consoles have ever been to PC hardware, the custom silicon for I/O decompression and low-level API optimisations still create a distinct architectural "gap" that raw PC specs often overlook.
The real differentiator, though IMO, is the consistency of experience. As a macOS user, I’ve seen how "enshitified" the Windows environment has become from still having to use Windows for work; the beauty of a console is the specialised UI and the lack of a need to dive "under the bonnet." For many, the value is in staying well away from a Windows sandbox.
Also, I’m laying down the gauntlet: Why is the Switch consistently excluded?
If Digital Foundry aims to be the gold standard for technical analysis, journalistic completeness requires looking at all major hardware philosophies. You can't define the "technical console baseline" in 2026 while ignoring the platform with the largest audience. Whether it’s the efficiency of the Switch 1 or the scaling tech in the Switch 2, it belongs in this conversation and many other DF articles, where like this one, Nintendo is given a scant mention then largely ignored.
Re: Windows K2: The 6 Best Features From Microsoft's Upcoming "Please Don't Leave" Update
It took me a while to leap but once I moved to MacOS about 5 years ago I’ve never looked back. Whenever I have to touch a personal Windows based machine these days I can’t believe how bloated and unintuitive it all feels. Microsoft really was trailblazing enshittification before it started to become so popular.
Re: Project Helix Stream: Xbox Game Dev Update Spring '26 Is Here
Watching the GDC presentation left me breathless
Re: Path-Traced F1 25 on PS5 Pro: Codemasters Tech Demo Revealed
It’s great to see Codies still pushing technical boundaries, given all the cuts and limitations placed on them in recent years. Well done!
Re: PS5 Pro's New PSSR System Override Is Just As Good As We Hoped
Alan Wake 2, GT7 and Astrobot are some of the games I’ve spent time with this past week or so and I can genuinely tell the difference. I do have a 75” 8K Sony TV so that does help a little.
Ironically it was Astrobot of all the titles so far I really could tell the difference with without even giving it any thought; I’m towards the end of the game and a level is set amongst lots of green grasses and the clarity and resolution of the grass was just a night/day difference with new PSSR. Astrobot was not the game I was expecting for me to run up the flagpole for PSSR improvements (it is a beautiful game of course) so it was a genuine surprise.
I would say however, this version of PSSR has been a long time coming when really, it should have been what Sony launched the Pro with in the first place. The first iteration clearly wasn’t really totally fit a game-changing selling point to sell an upgraded hardware revision on IMO.
So a welcome addition for sure, but one, now that we have it and can see how really transformative it is, that Sony really should have had ready day one of the PS5 Pro launch.
Re: Digital Foundry's Most Watched Videos of 2025
Really surprised that the Steam machine ended up being the most watched video. I’m yet to fully understand who the target audience is for this thing. I love new a new, major hardware release - my Switch 2 is giving me no end of joy still - but the specs and potential pricing of this leaves me cold.
Re: Is Switch 2's "Tiny" DLSS better than FSR 3?
Who can say what DLSS feature’s Nintendos first party titles may eventually make use of? Because well, Nintendo. However with the features baked into the hardware I’m going to guess we will see something - eventually. It wouldn’t surprise me if that something is still years away though. Because well, Nintendo.
Re: Analysis: How Steam Machine can aim for PS5's $499 price
@Lotus_DF with DF analysis pointing towards somewhere between Xbox S/S and PS5 performance it very much has more of a 2020 smell about it than a 2023 whiff. I too am struggling to know who this is targeted at, and indeed, why so much fanfare apart from it’s an ‘open’ platform compacted into a nice form.
Re: Feature: Hands-On with Steam Machine: Valve's New PC/Console Hybrid
@SteamyDeck I guess that’s cool if you’re happy playing old PC games. But I still think you’re a niche and not representing the majority. As a PS5 and Switch 2 owner, you’d surely use the PS5 to continue to buy current gen and Sony exclusive games over the Steam console unless you’re willing to wait for the PC PS5 exclusives or play your games at a lower spec. Your Switch 2 is surely there to play the Nintendo exclusives… maybe a game like Cyberpunk which again is going to run better but be more expensive?
I mean you’re still shelling out the £400+ to play Steam discounted games, that £400 could still be put towards a lot of games on the PS5/Switch 2.
But heh, each to their own, if you’re excited about out it, smashing
Re: Feature: Hands-On with Steam Machine: Valve's New PC/Console Hybrid
I’m struggling to work out who the target audience for this is? Is it PS4 users who have yet to make the next gen leap (why would they leave the PS ecosystem system?). It can’t be existing PS5 or X/SX owners. Surely a PC enthusiast looking for a similar build would just…. build their own and probably do it with better specs? Sure they would be still tied to Windows and wouldn’t be benefitting from Steam OS.
I’m failing to understand the love DF are having for this ‘console’? Am I missing something?!
Re: Welcome to the New Digital Foundry Website!
Hoorah it’s here! Massive congrats on the new web site, can’t wait to be making good use of my new bookmark. Shout out to the folks at Hookshot with I think is a brilliant collab for you, and Sam Machkovech too for the endless hours you must have invested in getting the site off the ground. Well done all!