When comparing Alienware Alpha vs Falcon Northwest Tiki, the Slant community recommends Alienware Alpha for most people. In the question“What are the best Steam Machines?” Alienware Alpha is ranked 4th while Falcon Northwest Tiki is ranked 9th. The most important reason people chose Alienware Alpha is:
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.
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Pros
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.
Pro Sleek design
Just slightly taller than an Xbox 360, this Steam Machine is an extremely attractive piece of tech in your choices of colors and designs. Heck, you can even throw in a custom design that you made or want on your Tiki. It's a beautiful looking system that you just have to take a double glance at for its elegance seems like it is out of reach for mortal hands (and it is).
Pro It can demolish your benchmarks
It's no wonder why this thing has such a hefty price tag; it destroys most modern games with it's more than capable hardware that can last you what would feel like an eternity with options like the Titan X or the NVIDIA Quadro P6000.
Cons
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.
Con Most expensive choice on the market
If you thought the Maingear DRIFT or the Digital Storm Eclipse were the most expensive Steam Machines, then you haven't opened up the configuration tab that gives you your choice of Tiki. This machine easily can demolish your wallet with it's base configuration of $2,191. And with the more capable hardware added, you end up wondering how the heck you spent over $9,000 for a mini desktop.
Con No SteamOS
Some people actually enjoy using Linux for their gaming and other casual usage. But, this option is no longer available for the Tiki and thus you are stuck using Windows as your main choice of operating system.