When comparing ZOTAC Steam Machine SN970 vs Alienware Alpha, the Slant community recommends ZOTAC Steam Machine SN970 for most people. In the question“What are the best Steam Machines?” ZOTAC Steam Machine SN970 is ranked 2nd while Alienware Alpha is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose ZOTAC Steam Machine SN970 is:
Steam has developed their own gaming controller which comes packed with this machine and is part of the price. This is convenient for those looking for an all in one solution.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Comes with new Steam controller
Steam has developed their own gaming controller which comes packed with this machine and is part of the price. This is convenient for those looking for an all in one solution.
Pro Quiet operation
For a machine that will most likely be used in the living room, fan noise is a concern. Luckily the machine is made to be silent while being used so this is not an issue here.
Pro Very nice design
The design looks like it can actually throw some people off thinking that this small form factor PC is a next gen system. It looks great underneath your TV and is about the size of a Sega Dreamcast. In other words, it just fits in perfectly.
Pro Windows OS
This machine launched before the Steam OS was released which means it is built on the Windows OS. This means all of the games available for Windows are able to be played on the machine. With Windows having a much larger amount of games available over Linux, which is what Steam OS is based on.
Pro The R2 model
The Alpha had undergone a revision which was later called the R2. This version opened up the possibility to allow you to use Alienware's official Amplifier add on on that could handle desktop quality GPUs, like a GTX 1060, as a way of upgrading what you currently had in your system. It can breath more life into your Alpha. For some odd reason, it feels like when the Sega Genesis had undergone the CD and 32X add on in order to extend it's lifespan. But, with the Amplifier, it isn't attaching itself on top of or underneath the system like the Genesis add ons so it makes for a cleaner look.
Cons
Con Steam OS
The machine comes pre-installed with Steam OS as the main OS, this is based off of Debian Linux and as such Linux has less games than on Windows. This means that many AAA games will not be available on the system as they tend to be Windows only.
Con GPU cannot be upgraded
Like an Alienware Steam Machine, the Zotac's GPU cannot be upgraded. It may have a decent card inside now but a few more years down the road will make that card unattractive if you wish to buy something better to keep up with future titles.
Con No GPU amplifier at this time
Unlike Alienware, Zotac has not created a GPU amplifier for their Steam Machine so that if someone were to want to upgrade externally with a desktop GPU like an RX 580, they cannot do so.
Con The R1 model
If you purchased the R1 model you're pretty much screwed in terms of upgrading, or amplifying, the GPU since this machine does not have an amplifier port for you to use the Alienware amplifier and be able to use something like a GTX 1080 or 1070 inside. There is one method that had been shared on youtube but it is a longer process than simply buying the R2 model and then buying the GPU of your choice and their Amplifier.
Con Some UI problems with the controller
Being that this is a Windows OS machine there are some parts of the UI such as the log in screen which are not optimal for controller support. It can be difficult to type in ones password when logging in.