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Who Needs a Steam Machine? I Converted My PC for Free and It Was Simple
AppWizard
July 6, 2026

Who Needs a Steam Machine? I Converted My PC for Free and It Was Simple

The Steam Machine offers PC gamers a console-like experience with access to the Steam library and various PC games. The starting price is ,049 due to RAMageddon, prompting some users to consider building their own Steam Machine. Valve provides a guide for installing SteamOS, which requires compatible hardware, including a 12th-gen Intel Core processor and an NVMe solid-state drive. An 8GB or larger USB drive is needed to create installation media. Users should disconnect other drives to avoid data loss during installation. The installation process involves selecting "Wipe Device & Install SteamOS," which erases the system. After installation, users must configure settings like language, time zone, and audio output. SteamOS operates in a Big Picture Mode, allowing easy navigation with a controller. Benefits of SteamOS include avoiding Windows-related frustrations and potential performance improvements in some games, although results may vary.
From casual hobby to luxury investment: memory costs hit PC gaming hard
AppWizard
June 28, 2026

From casual hobby to luxury investment: memory costs hit PC gaming hard

Two years ago, the gaming landscape was improving with affordable video games and devices like the Steam Deck making PC gaming more user-friendly. However, demand for AI data centers has disrupted manufacturing, causing component prices to rise significantly. Microsoft reported a 2.5 times increase in costs for memory and storage, leading to a 20% price hike for the Xbox Series S in the U.S. starting in August. Apple also announced a similar 20% increase on its hardware. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ has been launched at a price of ,499 in Australia, offering advanced gaming performance but at a steep cost. The Steam Deck remains a popular option at 9, while the ASUS ROG Ally provides alternatives for Windows users. The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a 1080p, 120Hz screen at a lower cost but lacks many major releases. Valve's Steam Machine was initially expected to start at 9, but due to the component crisis, it now starts at 9 for a 512GB model. DIY PC builds are becoming more accessible, with a recent build costing just over ,000. Consoles from Sony and Microsoft may offer better pricing for components despite recent increases. Cloud streaming services like Nvidia GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass are also emerging as cost-effective options.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
June 22, 2026

“Nintendo will not be challenged at all” — Surging prices have damaged the PC gaming handheld market, and our readers did not hold back

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ is priced at ,799, reflecting increased component costs due to the AI boom and its premium build quality. In comparison, the Steam Deck started at 9, allowing consumers to buy multiple gaming consoles. Nintendo has shipped nearly 156 million Switch units and 19.86 million Switch 2 units, while the Steam Deck has sold an estimated 4 million units. The Nintendo Switch's sales surged after a price hike in Japan but later declined, with a similar price adjustment expected in the US, Canada, and Europe. Users distinguish the Steam Deck as an "enthusiast device" for PC gamers, while the Switch is the exclusive platform for Nintendo titles. The PC gaming handheld market is viewed as hibernating rather than over, with optimism for future developments despite current challenges. The MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ features Intel's Arc G3 chips, which have generated excitement about its performance. There is a significant audience interested in the right combination of price and specifications for handheld PC gaming.
PC Free Game Giveaway Includes 2025 Hit And Saves You $30, But Time Is Limited
AppWizard
June 15, 2026

PC Free Game Giveaway Includes 2025 Hit And Saves You $30, But Time Is Limited

A new selection of free games is available on the Epic Games Store until 4 PM BST on Thursday, June 18. Players can claim these games for free, and once acquired, they are theirs to keep indefinitely, playable on PC or compatible devices. The featured game, Warhammer 40K Speed Freeks, is a combat racing game that typically retails for .99 and has an 85% player score on Steam. It allows customization of vehicles and supports cross-play with PlayStation and Xbox users. Another game, The Ouroboros King, a roguelike for chess fans, offers a saving of .99 and has an 81% rating on Steam. It combines chess strategy with roguelike elements. A new selection of free games will be released on June 18, including Citizen Sleeper and ROBOBEAT.
If a decade-old Nintendo Switch can run PC games, your next handheld doesn't need to be x86
AppWizard
June 10, 2026

If a decade-old Nintendo Switch can run PC games, your next handheld doesn’t need to be x86

Arm chips have traditionally excelled in Android gaming and emulation, while x86 architecture has dominated serious PC gaming. A modder successfully ran Steam on the original Nintendo Switch, which features an Nvidia Tegra chip, due to the introduction of Arm support in Proton 11's beta version. This achievement indicates that PC gaming on handheld devices may not be limited to x86 architecture. However, running Steam on the Switch requires complex workarounds, resulting in low frame rates and various limitations. The process involved using Box64 and community-developed projects to facilitate the installation, as the Switch's outdated kernel posed challenges. Despite the limitations, the ability to run x86 games on an Arm chip suggests that hardware constraints, rather than translation feasibility, are the main obstacles. Modern Arm chips have shown the capability to run PC games, with driver issues being a significant challenge for non-gaming devices. Valve is developing the Steam Frame, a VR headset powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which runs SteamOS natively on Arm and utilizes FEX for x86 game compatibility. Early benchmarks indicate promising performance on Arm devices, suggesting a potential shift in the handheld gaming landscape. While x86 remains the safer choice currently, the barriers for Arm-based handhelds are gradually diminishing, indicating a future with more options beyond x86 architecture.
silver Android smartphone
AppWizard
June 2, 2026

Forget AI: Nvidia RTX Spark could be game-changing for gaming handhelds

Nvidia unveiled the RTX Spark chips at Computex 2026, featuring a 20-core Nvidia Grace CPU and an Nvidia Blackwell RTX GPU with 6,144 CUDA cores, comparable to the GeForce RTX 5070 desktop GPU. The chips utilize NVLINK technology for faster data transfer than PCI Express. They support DLSS 4.5 upscaling technology, which enhances performance without the issues of DLSS 5. Currently, the gaming handheld market has limited DLSS support, with the Nintendo Switch 2 being an exception. Community feedback indicates a preference for DLSS 4.5 over native visuals. RTX Spark chips are expected to debut in laptops and mini PCs by the end of 2026, with potential for handheld gaming devices. Pricing and power consumption remain uncertain, and Nvidia's DGX Spark mini PC retails for ,699, suggesting high costs for RTX Spark systems. Nvidia claims these laptops will run AAA games at 1440p and over 100 frames per second, but details on power draw and battery life are unclear.
The Steam Deck OLED's price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware
AppWizard
May 28, 2026

The Steam Deck OLED’s price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware

Ongoing shortages in memory chips, driven by increased demand from AI-focused data centers, have led to significant price increases for the Steam Deck OLED. The 512GB model's price rose from £479 to £649 in the UK (35% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (44% increase). The 1TB variant increased from £569 to £779 in the UK (36% increase) and from 9 to 9 in the US (46% increase). Valve attributes these hikes to rising component costs and logistical challenges. The 1TB Steam Deck OLED now competes closely with the Asus ROG Ally X, which offers better performance at a similar price point. The 512GB version has lost its budget-friendly appeal, as the Lenovo Legion Go S undercuts it at £549. Despite the price adjustments, the Steam Deck OLED remains favored for casual gaming due to its design and comfort, but the hikes may deter potential buyers and raise concerns about future products.
This Android gaming app might kill handheld PCs
AppWizard
May 23, 2026

This Android gaming app might kill handheld PCs

GameNative allows users to play PC games on Android devices without an internet connection, supporting Steam titles, Epic Games Store, Good Old Games (GOG), and standalone game files. It features a known configs capability that optimizes game settings for better performance. The app's creator, Utkarsh Dalal, aims for GameNative to replace handheld PCs within two years, despite challenges related to compatibility with ARM-based chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Elite Gen 5 processors promise significant enhancements, and the release of Turnip drivers in early 2026 has improved gaming experiences on these devices. GameNative is free and open-source, with a monetization strategy focused on partnerships with game stores. It has recently added support for the Pixel 10 family, which uses an Imagination PowerVR GPU. The app collects user feedback to refine game configurations and plans to improve compatibility and support for third-party launchers.
New SteamOS update finally fixes one of the Steam Deck's most irritating bugs
AppWizard
May 22, 2026

New SteamOS update finally fixes one of the Steam Deck’s most irritating bugs

Valve has released the SteamOS 3.8.5 Beta, which includes bug fixes and enhancements for the Steam Deck and other devices like the Asus ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go. Key improvements include a fix for audio issues on the Steam Deck OLED, enhancements to video memory management for discrete GPUs, and a resolution for a bug in Desktop Mode. The update also includes stability and security updates, a fix for the Asus ROG Ally's control behavior after suspend, and improvements from the previous 3.8.4 Beta, such as solutions for WiFi performance issues and trackpad sensitivity adjustments. Users can join the beta by navigating to Settings > System > System Update Channel.
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