Why the Steam Controller Remains Ideal for Living Room PC Gaming

The history of technology is filled with ideas that initially fail but later prove correct. The original Steam Controller was one such experiment—idiosyncratic, niche, and beloved by a small but devoted group. Its DNA lives on in the Steam Deck, where the concept of dual trackpads as an input method was refined and validated. Now, Valve is reviving the Steam Controller name with a new device, despite the setback of the second Steam Machine attempt due to market challenges.

For PC gamers within Valve’s ecosystem—especially those gaming from the couch—the Steam Controller remains an ideal solution. While the Steam Machine has been delayed, many gamers have already adopted the "Steam Machine lifestyle" through living room PCs running immutable Linux distributions like Bazzite and SteamOS.

My own setup includes a small-form-factor PC in the living room, roughly comparable to a base PS5 in performance, which handles indie titles effortlessly. Streaming games via Moonlight from my office works flawlessly. Outside of this, the Steam Deck is one of my most-used consoles. For me, the Steam Machine experience is already a reality.

Disclosure: Valve sent Aftermath a Steam Controller for review.

The Case for the Living Room PC

Having a PC in the living room comes with its own set of challenges, primarily the awkwardness of a keyboard and mouse on the coffee table. Over the years, I’ve experimented with countless setups to make this arrangement more seamless, especially as my living situation evolved. While Bazzite and SteamOS reduce friction by booting directly into Big Picture mode, users still need to access the desktop at some point. This makes an input method that approximates a mouse and keyboard essential.

I’ve tried nearly every approach imaginable to make this setup less awkward, and I’ve learned the hard way what works—and what doesn’t.

Why the Logitech K400 Falls Short

The Logitech K400 is often the default choice for living room PC setups due to its low-profile design and integrated trackpad. However, it’s a cheap, underwhelming keyboard that leaves much to be desired. Recently, Framework announced a competing keyboard using the open-source ZMK firmware, subtly challenging Logitech’s dominance in this space.

Logitech K400 (left) vs. Framework’s upcoming keyboard (right). Credit: Logitech, Framework.

While the Framework keyboard is still in development, its introduction signals a shift toward more customizable and higher-quality alternatives. For now, however, the Steam Controller remains the most practical solution for living room PC gaming, offering precision and comfort without the clutter of a full keyboard and mouse setup.