[brazzy]

I really don't think having a custom CPU and hardware architecture different from PCs is the defining property of a gaming console. Nobody cares about that except developers and hardware nerds.

A console is a computer purpose-built and streamlined for playing games. No more, no less.

[bigcityslider]

A game console is also locked down from the user, usually because the company is selling hardware at a loss, wants to maintain control, and wants to prevent cheating in online games. May also have exclusive games tied to the hardware.

[mort96]

And as a result, the PS5 is less than half the price of a Steam Machine with similar performance.

[Gigachad]

The line is far more blurred now. The Steam Machine is a purpose built device streamlined for playing games. Yet without any hardware modifications you can put it on your desk and load windows on it. So it's clearly a PC too.

The nitpicking on language here is entirely due to the fact the distinction is no longer clear like it once was.

[bigcityslider]

Doesn't seem blurry to me, Steam Machine is just a PC.

[Gigachad]

What is the definition of a console then? At this point it’s just a pc that runs a locked down OS.

Back 20 years ago the distinction was just obvious.

[bigcityslider]

Locked down OS and hardware, or not usable for general compute for some other reason. 20 years ago you could have a gaming PC with discs like a console, but again the console was locked down.

[Gigachad]

This just illustrates the article point. We have come to the point where a console is just a worse less useful version of a PC.

Steam OS will replicate the nice TV UX of consoles but not be locked down.

[bigcityslider]

Maybe, idk, no horse in this race. My newest console is a GameCube, and my Mac can run approximately 2 games. Just saying there's a delineation between PC and console.

[brazzy]

I'd say the opposite: Steam Machine is a console than can run Windows.

[bigcityslider]

Windows PC can run Steam though