Summary
- Jsaux is making swappable front-panel displays for the Steam Machine, enabling custom screens.
- Offers e-ink for low-energy “always-on” visuals and LCD for dynamic, full-color info.
- Jsaux promises plug-and-play panels timed for launch; price and exact release date remain unknown.
The Steam Machine is, for many, their dream PC/console hybrid, bringing a similar formula to the Steam Deck but for desktops. And it’s pretty customizable. When you do get yours, you’ll now have the ability to customize it to your liking, screens and all.
Jsaux has officially announced that it is developing custom front panel displays for the upcoming Steam Machine. The Steam Machine’s distinct physical design has a front panel intended to be easily swappable. Valve has shown off a few internal prototypes putting low-power displays in this slot—a feature not originally intended for the base public release. Jsaux wants to make this into a real thing.
The new Steam Machine is taking on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X
PC games on your couch, without Windows.
Prior to the official announcement, the company published on the official Jsaux subreddit to gauge consumer interest regarding display technology. Users were polled on their preference between e-ink, dot matrix, and pixel-based LCD screens. Based on the newly released renders, Jsaux appears to have narrowed down its focus to two of those three options: e-ink and LCD. While the dot matrix option seemingly did not make the final cut, the remaining choices offer distinct advantages. E-ink provides a low-energy, “always-on” aesthetic suitable for static imagery, while the LCD option allows for dynamic information and full-color customization.
The brand has established a solid reputation in the PC handheld space, producing highly rated and competitively priced accessories for the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck. So it’s not surprising that it’s hopping onto the Steam Machine while the iron is still hot. It’s not clear if at least the LCD screen will work as a secondary display or if it will just display system information. If it works like a secondary display, it’s pretty cool. Rather than leaving users to 3D print brackets and wire their own screens, Jsaux would be giving you a “plug-and-play” experience that fits the specific dimensions of the new hardware. Not bad.
Currently, specific details regarding the pricing structure and release date for these products remain under wraps. However, the timing of the announcement suggests that Jsaux intends to have stock available in close proximity to the Steam Machine’s official launch.
Source: Notebookcheck
