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5 Best Linux Gaming Consoles To Check Out In 2024

4 min. read

Updated onJanuary 8, 2024

updated onJanuary 8, 2024

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Gaming had been a major chokepoint for theLinux platformover the last couple of years. Following its launch in the early ‘90s, the open-source operating system had difficulty competing in the gaming arena for decades. Thanks to the significant upgrades in recent years, gaming onLinuxhas now improved.

Steamand Feral Interactive are among the premier digital distribution platforms that have made great strides in terms of improving aplayer’s Linux gaming experience. For its part, Steam built a range of gaming consoles under the Steam Machines family. At its core, Steam Machines are computers that double as a gaming console. In addition to Steam Machines, there are other Linux gaming console products already available in the market today. Without further ado, let’s check out some of these consoles.

If you’re looking for an immersive gaming experience complete with a vast selection ofgamesin full 1080p HD on your TV, then the Alienware Steam Machine is a nice find. The console packs the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPU 2GB GDDR5 graphics and Intel Core processors.Playerscan also have a holistic command ofgamesusing the Steam Controller that ships with the console.

Released in November 2015 by Alienware, the console also letsplayersstreamSteam gamesto their TV from their home network.Playerscan gain quick access to a massive library of Steam games, entertainment, and a community of gamers worldwide even without a membership fee.

Zotac NEN (suggested)

NEN is a sleek Steam Machine with a discreet form factor. Released in November 2015 by Zotac, the gaming console is powered by the sixth-generation Intel Core i5-6400T quad-core Skylake processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 graphicshardware. Like other gaming consoles, NEN comes with a controller to run a vast array ofgames, including first person shooters and real time strategy games. The gaming console also packs dual trackpads, HD haptic feedback, dual-stage triggers, and back grip buttons.

Maingear DRIFT

Maingear DRIFT combines the latesthardwarefrom Intel, Nvidia, and AMD to provide ultra HD gaming in the living room. The customizable gaming console boasts of its uni-body aluminum chassis that houses the same power as a full desktop PC.

Game storage often requires massive memory capacity. But with Maingear DRIFT, storage doesn’t have to be one of your worries. The console offers several storage options, including two SSDs and a large HDD. If those options are not enough, you can upgrade the console for a richer games library.

Maingear, the console’s manufacturer, designed the gaming device with a small form factor and a closed loop liquid cooling that requires no maintenance. The console also packs an impressive airflow. Users will also be able to personalize the console’s color with Maingear’s automotive paint finish. Powered by Valve’s Steam OS, DRIFT provides excellent performance toplayerswith a smooth interface. DRIFT isavailable to purchasefrom Maingear for $1,099.

Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other gaming laptops, headsets and controllers, check outour wide collection of guides.

Materiel.net Steam Machine

Materiel.net Steam Machine packs a modern architecture that offers an impressive HD visual experience toplayers. Powered by Steam OS, the Steam Machine allowsplayersto launch Steam games on TV. The console also provides users the ability to share content including music and videos.

The Steam machine features the Intel Core I5 and NVIDIA GTX 960. Its scalability also means you can upgrade the graphics card, RAM, processor, and storage to enjoy the latestgames. The console isavailable to orderfrom Materiel.net’s website.

Scan 3XS ST

3XS Systems worked closely with Valve and NVIDIA to develop the ST-series of gaming consoles, a small form factor gaming PC built to consume little space in the living room. Compared to traditional gaming consoles, Scan 3XS ST is more quiet and only a quarter of a PC’s size, with a dimension of 382 x 105 x 350 mm.

Users can also customize the ST-series system using different GPUs, CPUs, RAM, and storage devices available for the console. You cansnag the gaming consolefrom Scan.

While Windows remains the de-facto platform for gaming,Linuxnow wants to catch up with those gaming consoles. If there are any other Linux gaming consolehardwarenot mentioned above, let us know about them in the comments below.

More about the topics:gaming console,Linux

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).

For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.

Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.

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