A while back, we heard talk of a new portable Steam Machine coming out called the "Steam Boy". Not much info on what it was, how it'd look, when it'd release...until now. Resurfacing as "Smach Zero", the company behind it, Smach Zero (what a great name), has officially announced a price and a general ship date, along with a few basic specs.

Here's what we know now:

• The Smach Zero is expected to ship in Q4 2016, with preorders supposedly opening November 10 for $299/€299.
• The Smach Zero has 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a 720p touch screen and HDMI output. EDIT: Other sources now confirm there is an SD Card slot for expandable storage, along with USB OTG.
• The Smach Zero carries an embedded G-Series SoC "Steppe Eagle" from AMD, with a Jaguar-based CPU and GCN-based Radeon Graphics.
• And, of course, the Smach Zero is going to launch with SteamOS and "1000's of Steam Games ready to play". EDIT: Sources claim the portable will be able to handle games like Cities Skyline, Civ 5, BioShock Infinite, Half Life 2, and Dota 2 no problem.

The video below is what the company released while at Gamescom on Saturday.



Source
EDIT: Additional Source

I'm quite interested in this project myself, I've always been fascinated by the idea of a portable game system that is essentially a PC, and this project so far looks to be exactly what I've been looking for! If this portable truly boasts a full x86 version of SteamOS, and specs enough to play a good amount of the Steam library, then I'd definitely be interested in giving one a purchase.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

Hmm, a PC is damned overpriced for a gaming machine. Might as well just get a Wii U and hack it to play NES and SNES games.

The point is that for a portable gaming system it's too much. And what about the battery life? Oh yea, no mention of it.

Nintendo makes underpowered handhelds but at least they get two things right: 1) The price and 2) The games.

 

[Nightwish]

Technical Specs:
(Technical details of the Pyra)

That depends, everything mobile is a compromise. You don't need to charge the thing all the damn time, unlike anything x86 (3h sounds like a daydream, Fox4i), and, judging from the Pandora, it will have great controls and really, really good audio.
Of course, if you want modern games that are on Steam OS, that's not really useful.

I'm happy they're both soon to be available, but I really don't have a justification or the money to buy either. Maybe a used one some years on.

 

[CathyRina]

Hmm, a PC is damned overpriced for a gaming machine. Might as well just get a Wii U and hack it to play NES and SNES games.

He's talking about portables and not stationary consoles though.
Portable gaming is usually very cheap. I picked up my 3DS for 150€ and my Vita for 190€. That's the kind of price expectations handheld gamers live by.
This device is only going to appeal to a very small niche of Handheld gamers.

Nintendo makes underpowered handhelds but at least they get two things right: 1) The price and 2) The games.

To be frank, the 3DS did cost a laughable 250€ at launch. So no, Nintendo doesn't always get the price right.

 

[WiiCube_2013]

To be frank, the 3DS did cost a laughable 250€ at launch. So no, Nintendo doesn't always get the price right.

In Europe the fucking consoles and handhelds always cost more than US and Japan, so yes, they don't cost as much. The 2DS at launch in UK was £99.99 and it was overpriced for what it was but some still bought it.

 

[TecXero]

Hm, it's damned overpriced for a portable gaming console. Might as well just get a Vita and hack it to play PSP/PS1 games.

For PC gaming on the go? I think it's worth it, assuming it has a decent battery life and isn't closed. This is something that's been relatively untapped: PC handheld gaming. There are plenty of good Indie games and AA games that aren't that intensive that I think I would find much more enjoyable on a handheld, instead of having to boot up one of my rigs and either glue myself to my computer chair or my recliner. This would be something I could play wherever and whenever. Then again, I tend to prefer handheld gaming.

 

[CathyRina]

In Europe the fucking consoles and handhelds always cost more than US and Japan, so yes, they don't cost as much. The 2DS at launch in UK was £99.99 and it was overpriced for what it was but some still bought it.

I said € but it was a worldwide thing.

 

[FusionGamer]

At least they didn't pull a Sony and put the analog sticks in an awkward place

 

[RevPokemon]

At least they didn't pull a Sony and put the analog sticks in an awkward place

I see what you did there

 

[grossaffe]

The point is that for a portable gaming system it's too much. And what about the battery life? Oh yea, no mention of it.

Nintendo makes underpowered handhelds but at least they get two things right: 1) The price and 2) The games.

They are aimed at different audiences. The Vita will not satisfy the same market that the portable steam machine is looking to satisfy.
The portable steam box will have the advantage of having a large software base available to it from the get-go, many of which people may already have on their steam account and will now be able to play on-the-go.

He's talking about portables and not stationary consoles though.
Portable gaming is usually very cheap. I picked up my 3DS for 150€ and my Vita for 190€. That's the kind of price expectations handheld gamers live by.
This device is only going to appeal to a very small niche of Handheld gamers.

Yes, it is likely going to appeal to a small niche. A niche that is not fulfilled by the Vita, hence why I ridiculed the assertion. Is everyone gonna run out and buy these? No. Will some people appreciate its availability? I believe so. And unlike other dedicated gaming devices, it doesn't need a large install base to get people to make games for it because it is a PC and should be able to play any steam games (and presumably non-steam) developed for Linux that it has the power to play. There will be a market for this device, and it is not the same market satisfied by loading old playstation emulators on a Vita.

 

[HtheB]

At least they didn't pull a Sony and put the analog sticks in an awkward place

Spoiler: Buttons at the right place

'Nuff said

 

[CathyRina]

Yes, it is likely going to appeal to a small niche. A niche that is not fulfilled by the Vita, hence why I ridiculed the assertion. Is everyone gonna run out and buy these? No. Will some people appreciate its availability? I believe so. And unlike other dedicated gaming devices, it doesn't need a large install base to get people to make games for it because it is a PC and should be able to play any steam games (and presumably non-steam) developed for Linux that it has the power to play. There will be a market for this device, and it is not the same market satisfied by loading old playstation emulators on a Vita.

Tbh, as long as PS2/GC emulation works, this device has a very big selling point. I don't have much knowledge on specs since I'm more of a Console/Handheld gamer but I believe it should be possible given that my decade old Pc can run them with little slowdowns.

 

[RevPokemon]

Spoiler: Buttons at the right place

'Nuff said

I thought we got rid of you?
Plus that's twice the price!!!!

 

[GoldenSun3DS]

Make it run on Windows, make it a 1080P screen with real gaming buttons of the quality you'd expect on a PS/XB controller (dual analog, D-Pad etc) , and I'd gladly pay $500 for one.

 

[RevPokemon]

Make it run on Windows, make it a 1080P screen with real gaming buttons of the quality you'd expect on a PS/XB controller (dual analog, D-Pad etc) , and I'd gladly pay $500 for one.

Or atleas the option would be nice considering it works on those specs. Plus imo I don't think the 720 is to bad when I doubt most of the steam games would go good on 1080p

 

[obs123194]

GTA IV Mobile!

 

[GoldenSun3DS]

Or atleas the option would be nice considering it works on those specs. Plus imo I don't think the 720 is to bad when I doubt most of the steam games would go good on 1080p

There are older games (as well as PS1/N64 emu) that might run well at 1080P, and there's also non-gaming stuff that could take advantage of 1080P, like Netflix.

My Galaxy S6 phone has a 1440P screen. I expect better than 720P for my mobile gaming devices.

 

[RevPokemon]

There are older game(as well as PS1/N64 emu) that might run well at 1080P, and there's also non-gaming stuff that could take advantage of 1080P, like Netflix.

My Galaxy S6 phone has a 1440P screen. I expect better than 720P for my mobile gaming devices.

I guess only issue with older games is most do not support gamepads. But i see your point for videos and emus

 

[Walker D]

interesting... let's see what this turn out to be

 

[RevPokemon]

interesting... let's see what this turn out to be

Wos on this????

 

[Walker D]

Wos on this????

wut?
who's on this you say?.. ..I don't know much more than what Tom posted about.. the infos about this handheld are scarce. But the promise that it brings is definitely interesting. And I'll wait for more info, to see if they deliver.