When comparing ZOTAC Steam Machine SN970 vs Maingear DRIFT, 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 Maingear DRIFT is ranked 10th. 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 Quality over quantity
It may be among one of the most expensive Steam Machines on the market; but, this system does contain more than capable hardware such as the choices between three Intel Processors, vast options in graphics cards, customizable paint jobs, water cooling, freebies, storage and more. All bundled within one stunning and durable chassis.
Pro Two chassis options
If you want the newer chassis instead of the one based on the picture with the ability to gaze at the pretty components you're rocking inside through the window, you can have that one since it is now the base chassis. However, if you're into what was initially the base chassis design, you can request that chassis via special request box underneath the stock image during your picking of your new system.
Pro It also has Windows
Besides having the option of deducting your price at $200 when switching to SteamOS, you now have the option to stick with Windows as your base operating system so that you can play titles you can't on SteamOSlike Fallout 4, Witcher 3, and GTA 5. However, if you don't really care for that sort of thing and would use the $200 for a better GPU, switch to SteamOS and get yourself a 1070, 1060, or heck get a 1080 if you feel a splurge rush coming on.
Pro Fully upgradable
Like the Syber Steam Machine, this Steam Machine is also completely upgradable. I would recommend calling Maingear themselves in order to fully understand how you should proceed when the time has come to plug in your new sweet components. Luckily, from what has been stated in various reviews, they seem to have quality customer service versus some of the other big dogs in the market. So it is safe to assume that they would be more than happy to help walk you through the process.
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 Among one of the most expensive options
This Steam Machine is a quality product and it shows in it's price point. A system with an initial $899 when launched now took an elevator to a couple floors up to reach $1299 for the base model alone (not counting shipping). You only get free shipping once you reach the $2,000 price range and only then is when you get certain freebies. Heck, the highest model reaches to $4399. Somehow, the Zotac, Alienware, and Syber Steam Machines become more appealing after seeing this.