# Puny Powerful Consoles New Valve Tiny PC Packs a Graphical Punch and Runs on Steam Platform By Andrew Sztein | Published 2013-01-08 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/steampowered-mini-pcs References: [geekosystem](http://www.geekosystem.com/steam-box-piston/) & [engadget](http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/hands-on-with-xi3s-piston-modular-pc-at-ces/) Rumors have been flying around for a while that gaming mega-giant [Valve](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neptune-hx90g) was developing its own gaming console. Valve already dominates a huge portion of the PC gaming market with its online [Steam](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valve-steam-machine) store that allows gamers to buy full games, new or old, directly to their hard drives. This [mini PC](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaming-mini-pcs), unveiled at CES 2013, may or may not be the long rumored ‘Steam Box’ that many gamers are hotly anticipating. However, it has been confirmed that manufacturer Xi3 that they have partnered with Valve in development of hardware, including the pictured ‘Piston.’ If this indeed the ‘Steam Box,’ then it certainly carries enough processing heft to fill most gamers’ need for speed. The ‘Piston’ packs a powerful quad-core processor, 1 TB of storage, four USB ports and HDMI output for monitors or TVs. The unit is also remarkably environmentally friendly, running at a cool 40 watts. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Mini PC Gaming Consoles:** The rise of mini PC gaming consoles like the 'Piston' presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the gaming industry, allowing for compact yet powerful gaming experiences. - **Console-pc Hybrid Gaming:** The development of the 'Steam Box' blurs the line between traditional gaming consoles and PCs, creating new possibilities for disruptive innovation in the gaming industry. - **Online Gaming Platforms:** With Valve's Steam platform gaining popularity, there is a growing demand for innovative online gaming platforms that offer convenient access to a wide range of games. ### Who This Affects Most - **Gaming Hardware Manufacturing:** The partnership between Valve and Xi3 in developing the 'Piston' mini PC gaming console opens up opportunities for disruptive innovation in the gaming hardware manufacturing industry. - **Digital Distribution Platforms:** The success of Valve's Steam platform highlights the potential for disruptive innovation in the digital distribution platforms industry, as more players enter the market to compete with established platforms. - **Gaming Accessories:** As mini PC gaming consoles like the 'Piston' gain popularity, there is a growing need for innovative gaming accessories that enhance the overall gaming experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Consolized Desktop PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valve-steam-machine.md) - [Console-Like Gaming PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neptune-hx90g.md) - [Compact Handheld Gaming PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onexplayer-mini.md) - [Low-Footprint Gaming PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/um790-pro.md) - [Micro Gaming PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/f12-edge.md) - [Cyberpunk-Inspired Gaming PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xcube-gaming-mini-pc.md) - [Gaming-Focused Compact PCs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rog-nuc-2025.md) - [Third-Party Consolized Handhelds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legion-go-s.md) - [Gaming Mini PC Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaming-mini-pcs.md)