This is something people should consider when they compare prices between game consoles and PC. A game console might cost, say, 500, which might sound cheap in comparison. But, if you want to play online, you need a subscription. Let’s say 100 per year, and assume 7 year lifetime for console, cost you another 700. If you buy games as digital copies, they’ll be about 60 to 80 each, and they are rarely discounted. And when they are, it’s probably -10%. Assume you buy 10 games for the console, and it’s another 600 or so. Total price for the “cheap” console is thus about 1800.
Steam Machine costs about 1000, but as there are no subscriptions, the remaining 800 can go to games. But, for PC there are numerous places to get games. Also discounts are frequent and can be up to -100%. You can turn that 800 into a game library far larger than 10 games.
And then there’s compatibility. Games and accessories you buy for one console might not be compatible with the next console you buy. Games and (some of the) accessories you purchase for one PC, on the other hand, are compatible with the next PC you purchase, regardless if it’s a desktop, laptop, media PC or handheld.