Hardware Subsidies
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Subsidies.
Latest coverage
"We don't lock our hardware down" - Valve takes a swing at consoles while explaining why it doesn't subsidise the price of Steam Machine
Valve has announced pricing for its Steam Machine, opting against hardware subsidization to maintain an open ecosystem, unlike console manufacturers such as Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. Valve believes customers should be able to play any game on any PC and install alternative software on their hardware. Despite high price points, Valve views competing hardware like Microsoft's Project Helix as beneficial for gamers by offering more choices.
South Korea takes one look at rising PC costs and decides to hand out free PCs to citizens
The South Korean government is implementing measures to combat rising PC and laptop costs for its citizens. These initiatives include market monitoring, expanding support for low-income students to receive hardware, and facilitating the recycling and redistribution of surplus PCs from state agencies. The government also plans to restructure mobile network rate plans to guarantee minimum internet usage for millions of people.
