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News hardware & software 31 December 2021, 16:23

User Converted an Old Laptop Into a Steam Console

A Linux specialist has created his own version of the Steam Machine. The insides come from an old laptop that was about to be scrapped, and the casing from a 3D printer.

IN A NUTSHELL:
  • A Reddit user showed off his personal Steam Machine, made from laptop components.

What can you do with an old computer or laptop? Instead of selling it or throwing it away, you can turn it into a console. One of the players came up with the idea to make a Steam Machine out of a somewhat old notebook. Since he is also an owner of a 3D printer, he made the panels himself, plugged the whole thing into the TV and voila. The icing on the cake is a switch integrated into an illuminated Steam logo.

User Converted an Old Laptop Into a Steam Console - picture #1
DIY Steam Machine - the illuminated logo serves as a switch. Source: Reddit/Tj4t6ecXqnE
User Converted an Old Laptop Into a Steam Console - picture #2
A Steam console connected to a TV. Source: Reddit/Tj4t6ecXqnE

The components come from a small laptop (13-inch screen):

Processor

Intel i7-4900MQ

RAM

16 GB DDR3

Graphics

Intel HD 4600 / GeForce GTX 765M

Internal memory

SSD 120 GB, HDD 1 TB

User Converted an Old Laptop Into a Steam Console - picture #3
Here's what the 3D printer case hides. Source: Reddit/Tj4t6ecXqnE

PS5 is unlikely to feel threatened, but the rig has specs comparable to Steam Machine, offered by many manufacturers. The computer is running on Debian 10, which has been configured to be Steam-compatible, fast and console-like in its handling. The creator of the machine has 15 years of experience in Linux systems and claims that his solution works better than Steam OS. Isn't it better to use hardware like this than to trash it?

Arkadiusz Strzala

Arkadiusz Strzala

His adventure in writing began with his own blog and contributing to one of the early forums (in the olden days of Wireless Application Protocol). An electrical engineer by profession, he has a passion for technology, constructing and, of course, playing computer games. He has been a newsman and writer for Gamepressure since April 2020. He specializes in energy and space tech. However, he does not shy away from more relaxed matters every now and then. He loves watching science-fiction movies and car channels on YouTube. He mainly plays on the PC, although he has modest console experience too. He prefers real-time strategies, FPS and all sorts of simulators.

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