The Steam Box is going to change the way people play video games by giving gamers a console like experience with PC gamers, but with better performance and upgradability. The wait for the Steam Box is coming to an end, as Valve is just two days away from shipping out the first units to the beta testers and retail models will follow shortly in Q1 2014.

“The time has come! We are ready to begin shipping Steam Machines and Steam Controllers to the 300 selected beta participants. The machines are due to leave the factory on Friday!

Here are some photos from the production line.”

Valve is also allowing their Linux based operating system; SteamOS, to be downloaded, so you could potentially make your own Steam Box at home – just minus the controller until it is released.

“SteamOS will be made available when the prototype hardware ships. It will be downloadable by individual users and commercial OEMs. (But unless you’re an intrepid Linux hacker already, we’re going to recommend that you wait until later in 2014 to try it out.) We’ll post info soon about that. Oh, and stay tuned for the in-home streaming beta to begin soon, too! “