PC Gaming

but something a bit more powerful that allows me to play Steam games in 4k on my TV would be awesome.

I got news for you! You can literally build a computer to do this right now, no need to wait for steam.

There's also been some arm SoC work by valve, could be they're gearing up for a new SteamStation, could be that they're opening up SteamOS for 3rd party manufacturers like Lenovo. Only time will tell.

Instead of the Electric Boogalo, it's the Steam Dreamaroo.

You’ll have a long way to go on the software side before worrying about hardware

Like you said though, just buy a prebuilt and you’re already there

I built a Linux HTPC like a month ago. I tried a couple of different distros, mainly because the Xbox controller (that I bought new) didn't work with any distro. The Playstation one works perfectly, but that Xbox mf is a lost cause (I'm going to change it for a tattoo lmao, and save for another Playstation controller).

At the end, I landed on Bazzite distro and is working fine. The KDE plasma interface is really good (after like 10 years with Linux mint cinnamon, the plasma feel like I'm in the future)

What would make me happy is a way smoother experience with game streaming. With moonlight/sunshine I've found it works incredibly well - when it does. I always ran into issues with resolution setting, windows lock screen, power on power off etc. I mean, I'm sure I could figure it out over time but I'm way to lazy, I don't have time to tinker with that. I just want it to work.

If I could sit on my couch and have a cool and quiet steam deck streaming off my PC in the other room, that would be sweet.

Third time's the charm. Well, in their case second time was the charm, the steamdeck was such a success that I understand the decision to try out the steam machines idea once again.

Having a popular, standardized pc with fixed hardware and OS would enable game developers to aim that as minimum(or recommended) requirement and to optimize their games for that. And since it will be running linux, this means that gaming in linux would become even more mainstream and better supported too.

aren't the other consoles just pcs with custom os?

When the first Steam Machines were announced years ago, I assumed they'd all be running the same hardware like consoles do, and I thought that was actually quite a good idea because it could give game devs a sort of "baseline" set of hardware to aim for, as opposed to the sort of "vaguely make it run on Windows" system we seem to have currently. So if the new ones are all more-or-less the same kit like the Steam Decks are, and they take off well enough, it could be handy in that way I guess.

Plus it'll presumably run SteamOS so more Linux exposure which I always appreciate.

Optimization profiles for games to target the specific hardware. It would be for people that want a steam deck like device that isn’t portable. Which would probably sell more units than a steam deck now. If priced right I would put it in my living room. It just needs to have the QOL that comes with console for couch gaming.