Reddit mentions of Alienware Steam Machine Console (Intel Core i3, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD) NVIDIA GeForce GTX

\>$649

\>no memory or hard drive

\>no OS

When Alienware is cheaper than you, you know you fucked up.

And for those who want SteamOS

This is the worst option if you plan to buy any official DLC though, even if you don't care about CDLC.

Console DLC has gone on sale like one time ever, maybe two, since the release of RS1. It goes on sale every 2-3 months on Steam. You will save $1.50 per song or more by going with the PC version.

Considering a $300 PC will run the game, it doesn't take long for that math to work out. I run it without issue on one of these, which looks great in a living room and comes with a controller.

Alienware Steam Machine Console (Intel Core i3, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD) NVIDIA GeForce GTX

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016IH067A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_4EMDzbJ0J939E

Edit: correction, that's the Linux version that only comes with SteamOS. Not sure if RS runs on SteamOS. The windows version is $389, or you can scrounge up a license yourself.

You can pick up Alienware Alpha's in the $400-500 range (i've seen them as low as $300 on sale/refurb) that have 860m's in them and include RAM and storage...even the top of the line one with an i7 (for a more apples to apples comparison) comes in at ~$700. Going to zotac, you can get a Nvidia 960 paired with a i5-5200U for $50 more (barebones) or about $800 for RAM, storage and Windows pre-installed. Either way, those machines would absolutely destroy the NUC in gaming performance, and with the same-or-lower price tag. You also get a LOT more port options with the Zotac (4xHDMI, 6xUSB, 2xNIC), though the NUC compares favorably with the Alienware in that regard.

It seems that the NUC, as it's always been, is just an overpriced reference design - Intel showing off what's possible, but not investing enough to gain the economies of scale to make it cost effective.

Links:
http://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Barebones-dual-core-Bluetooth-ZBOX-EN970-U/dp/B015AD1Q04

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016IH067A/ref=psdc_565098_t1_B00MA7AMKY

This is the smallest thing I know of with a real GPU, which you'll need to play Liftoff at a half decent framerate and resolution. It's still 8 inches square and 2 inches deep though... not exactly super portable. It would fit in a backpack and connect to the headplays for sure, but won't be fun to strap to your head.

Also it should work with SteamOS (Liftoff says it is compatible) but you may need to install windows.

It's a rather crazy project and I wouldn't recommend trying it unless you have money, time, and frustration to throw at it. It might end up cool, who knows??!

From Amazon:

Features:

Intel Quad Core i3-4170t 3.2 GHz Processor4 GB DDR3L SDRAM Included; 4 GB Maximum500 GB HDD Storage; No Optical Drive; 5 USB PortsNo Monitor IncludedSteam OS; Includes Steam Controller; NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPU 2GB GDDR5

Link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B016IH067A/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480096591&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=Steam+machine+i3&dpPl=1&dpID=31LlyKgYDxL&ref=plSrch#featureBulletsAndDetailBullets_secondary_view_div_1480096615516

[Alienware Steam Machine Console (Intel Core i3, 4 GB RAM, 500 GB HDD) NVIDIA GeForce GTX] (https://smile.amazon.com/Alienware-Machine-Console-NVIDIA-GeForce/dp/B016IH067A/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1482965889&sr=8-5&keywords=alienware+alpha)


or something like this [Dell Optiplex 9010 MT Win 7 Mini Tower Quad Core 3.4 GHz i5-3570 4GB 250GB DVDRW] (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Optiplex-9010-MT-Win-7-Mini-Tower-Quad-Core-3-4-GHz-i5-3570-4GB-250GB-DVDRW-/232119406332?hash=item360b650efc:g:4doAAOSwo4pYV-3r) and install a low power graphics card like a Nvidia GTX 750, 950, or AMD FX 460

Currently, a new Aurora R6 via Dell.com w/ $50 promo has the lowest spec version new for $749.99:
7th Generation Intel® Core™ i5-7400 Processor
Windows 10 Home 64-bit English
8GB DDR4 at 2400MHz; up to 64GB
AMD Radeon™ RX 460 with 2GB GDDR5

Yes you're overpaying compared to DIY, but I get it. I think everyone should buy Alienware at least once. The Aurora is easy, no tool access, and you can change out the GPU inevitably, where as you cannot w/ the Alpha.

If set on Alpha, I saw a Alpha R1 for approximately $300, new, shipped / purchased via Amazon, but sold by Dell. The 960 is a poor GPU these days (As is the AMD 460 mentioned above) so the R1 would be the better value for hundreds less, and not too far off performance. It's essentially a PS4.

EDIT: Take that back, it's a Steam machine: https://www.amazon.com/Alienware-Machine-Console-NVIDIA-GeForce/dp/B016IH067A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492625307&sr=8-1&keywords=alienware+steam+machine but it's the same thing without windows 10, which you should get a free copy via your School (*I did). Add 4GB DDR3, SSD, and Best value right there. Give me rep people