From the FAQs:

> Is this the Valve console? > > We think of Steam Machine as an extension of PC gaming, not as a console. > > The traditional console model is to sell hardware at a loss and make up the revenue with subscription services or by selling games that are locked-in to the hardware. We think this can make sense for a single business in the short term but that open ecosystems are better for customers over the long term. PC gaming's history proves this: The openness of the PC gaming space has enabled it to be the primary driver of hardware and software innovation for decades. > > The strength of PC gaming is the ability to play the games you want on the hardware you want. Steam Machine is a solution to these problems (and we think it's a great one), but it's not the only solution, and we don't want it to be.