Alienware Steam Machines are going to be much more like modern consoles than PCs. Instead of having a variety of customization options for owners to indulge in as games continue to advance, the boxes will stay just as locked as an average home console. Along with that bizarre fact, the pieces of hardware will launch annually. If you want to play the latest and greatest pieces of software on their highest settings, you’ll have to purchase a new Alienware device just about every year.
"Lifecycle wise, consoles update every five, six, seven years, we will be updating our Steam Machines every year," Alienware GM Frank Azor confirmed to TrustedReviews. “There will be no customization options – you can’t really update it."
What’s his advice if you do want to mess with your Machine’s specs? Just get a PC.
“If you actually want to customize your Alienware Steam Machine, maybe change your graphics card out or put in a new CPU, you would be better off with the standard Alienware X51,” he explained. “This particular product is restricted in its upgrade options.”
There are plenty of other Steam Machines to choose from, if this isn’t your cup of tea.
