Players can get it via pre-order starting November 10

Aug 11, 2015 07:30 GMT  ·  By

A new version of a Steam machine which aims for both portability and power, called the Smach Zero, is now set to be launched in the fourth quarter of the year and will be offered for pre-orders starting November 10.

Those who want to get one will have to pay 299 dollars or Euro for the device until it is officially offered in stores, at which point the cost will go up by an unspecified amount.

The Smach Zero was initially known as the Steam Boy and is the only Steam machine, out of many models that various hardware makers are creating based on specifications from Valve, that aims to be portable.

The hardware looks like a Steam controller with an attached screen, and the company says that the basic layout can be reconfigured to play all the titles that will be offered initially on the Steam OS.

In terms of specifications, the Smach Zero will offer gamers 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal hard drive space, a screen that has 720p resolution, and access to touch capabilities, as well as a range of connectivity options.

An AMD processor with integrated Radeon graphics will deliver the power that's required to play video games via Steam.

Smach Zero stands out from the crowd of Steam machines

Mixing portability and the big library of video games offered by Valve is a great idea on paper, but it will be hard for the new device to deliver all the power needed to run them smoothly.

Mobile gaming solutions focused on Steam OS will have to compete with both the more dedicated 3DS and Vita and with smartphones.

The price point of the Smach Zero is attractive enough, but early adopters will need to offer good feedback on the device to make it a success.

A range of Steam machines are set to be launched during the fall, all of them designed to run the Valve-made operating system, offering a wide variety of hardware setups and price points.

The general aim is to introduce a PC-based alternative to the new home consoles from Sony and Microsoft and to make it easier for gamers to play their favorite titles, as long as they are offered via Steam.