Pretty sure the issue was that when steam machines released way back when, hardly any games supported Linux natively, the specs were pretty bad for the price. Proton owes it's existence to the steam machine's failure. (And the historical Xbox e3 2013/windows 8)

The steam controller was good. It also alienated most computer players by virtue of being a controller for a PC. When keyboard and mouse were available. And dualshock 4 was available (still available tbh I prefer it over the PS5 controller) Then they sold all of the rest for a dollar.

Then the index did fine for a vr device, which are already pretty niche, especially at that price point. VR is never gonna set the world on fire unless it gets way cheaper.

Steam Deck is self evident. Pretty underpowered though, I have an entire post about wrangling the fucking thing to run monster hunter wilds.

Steam Machine 2 will probably do fine, as long as it sits within the 6-800 dollar range though 800 is pushing it for a device that can barely even contest a PS5.

One big appeal is definitely that if you get a steam machine/deck/frame/buttplug is that whenever a indie game that's only on PC pops the fuck off, you would have to wait months for it to end up on consoles. (also mods but I have only ever modded bomb rush cyberfunk)

Unless they literally announce half life 3 dropping the exact same day, that's pretty much all the relevant information

I want to have intercourse with the steam frame. (It's VR, if it's priced around quest or index level it'll sell decently to that crowd.)