[detaro]

Now I'm curious: GPs ~$500, lets say max double the volume of a Switch + Dock, even if we exclude the screen and input devices seems like a quite tall order.

You can build some fairly impressive SFF PCs, but even an InWin Chopin breaks that volume budget if I've done the math right, and it's not a cheap hobby. They to me feel like a class above this.

[jophde]

You could definitely go eGPU + intel NUC and tape them together for 2x Switch + Dock. M2 nvme drives are tiny and I think some boards take laptop memory. You really only need the equivalent of a gtx 970 to do 1080p which probably exists in Pci x4.

[ineedasername]

Nuc makes a model called a Hades Canyon that is an awesome gaming rig for its form factir. 4k at mid-range settings, 1080p at anything you can throw at it. (And I'll be honest... Maybe I'm getting old, but from 2 feet away I can't tell the differece between 1080 and 4k.)

[detaro]

And double the "just spend $500 one time" initially suggested as being the solution.

[ineedasername]

Not quite double, I waited for a ~$700 deal, but yeah, you pay a premium for the form factor. If you aren't looking to optimize both performance and small form factor, $500 is reasonable. Less if you can recycle an old case, psu, etc.

[jophde]

I personally can handle putting a desktop in 1br apartment for $200 less.

[ineedasername]

Yeah, if you're smart about these things and know where to look and don't mind some diy, an adequate desktop can be found for $200. A game streaming service would be perfect for that sort of setup. But I still think the price point for streaming is wrong for mass adoption, and for anyone with even minor gaming interests already (e.g. you've bought a decent amount of games over the years) then being able to use your existing library of games is an essential feature.

[detaro]

Wrong subthread, small apartment isn't regular travel ;)

But I don't think there's need to argue this further, I think the point that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution has been made exhaustively, by everyone.

[jophde]

I barely find Steam Link playable on my wired home network. There is no chance Stadia is playable on hotel Internet.