Go ahead and consider the Steam Box, or whatever Valve intends to call it, official. Xi3Corporation announced a modular "grapefruit-sized" PC on Monday that will be optimized for Steam and its Big Picture mode. The new hardware will make a full debut during CES this week at both Valve's and Xi3's booths.
Xi3 received investment money from Valve to build the modular PC that allows users to upgrade the processor, graphics card and motherboard. The idea is a machine that is portable and powerful that will last 5-10 years as users upgrade it. Xi3 previously was selling a similar machine for $500 that featured a dual-core AMD CPU running at 1.8GHz, 2GB DDR2 RAM, and a 128MB DX11-compatible video board that supports up to 2560x1600 resolution via HDMI, DVI, or DisplayPort.
The Steam Box version of the hardware and price is still unknown but is expected to exceed those specs. Valve may elect to take a loss on the hardware in order to push more game sales. What is known is that it will run on the Linux operating system and not Microsoft Windows.
Here is the official press release for the "Xi3 Modular Computer chassis."
Xi3Corporation today announced a development stage system optimized for computer gameplay on large high-definition television monitors.
Housed in the uniquely shaped, grapefruit-size Xi3® Modular™ Computer chassis, this new development stage product is being showcased this week at the 2013 International CES trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada in booth #20425 in the Las Vegas Convention Center. Xi3's new development stage product is designed specifically to support both Steam® and its Big Picture™ mode for residential and LAN party computer gaming on larger high-def screens.
With more than 50 million subscribers around the world, Steam is the digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications/community platform from Valve Corporation. Big Picture mode allows members to access and play games through Steam on any connected high-definition television display/monitor.
"Today marks the beginning of a new era for Xi3," said Jason A. Sullivan , founder, President and CEO of Xi3. "This new development stage product will allow users to take full-advantage of their large high-definition TV displays for an amazing computer game experience. As a result, this new system could provide access to thousands of gaming titles through an integrated system that exceeds the capabilities of leading game consoles, but can fit in the palm of your hand."
Xi3 also announced today it has received an investment from Valve Corporation. Xi3's new development stage computer game system is also being showcased in Valve's booth (#25730) at CES 2013. No additional details about Xi3's new system or Valve's investment in Xi3 will be released at this time.
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Via: Kotaku, Xi3
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