It’s wild to think that 2015 was already over a decade ago, but it is. While time marches on, one of the greatest pieces of remote technology was released for roughly $49.99 in 2015 and is now half the price on marketplaces. The original Steam Link, meant to work as a way to play your favorite PC games over remote streaming, is still an utterly fantastic piece of tech, especially for the price you can find it for now.
But you may not have known that, outside of just playing your favorite games at 1080P/60Hz, it also makes an absolutely fantastic desktop streamer. Even though I missed out on the Steam Link in 2015, I’m absolutely loving it in 2026.
I ditched Windows for SteamOS on my PC, and gaming is way better now
SteamOS is ol’ reliable when I want a Linux-gaming experience at this point.
Fantastic port versatility
Multiple USB ports, Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0 in a tiny package
While Steam Link is available as an app on most smart TVs, there are a few reasons why the physical box is worth purchasing even now. One of the biggest reasons is the number of ports that this little box has. Three USB ports, a full-blown Ethernet connection with 100Mbps connection, and native Bluetooth 4.0 support all work hand-in-hand with one another. Most smart TVs have abysmal Wi-Fi chips, and aging sets may not even work with Ethernet. The Steam Link, on the other hand, has been working like a dream since I plugged it in.
Even though the device is over a decade old, the USB 2.0 ports, native Bluetooth 4.0 connection, and more make it work great for both gaming and working remotely on your desktop. Rather than just relying on a Bluetooth connection that may not work via a smart TV, I can hook up a dongle and use my keyboard and mouse like I would normally.
Native support for VirtualHere
Any gamepad I plug in has been seen, even HOTAS
My Dad loves playing games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, and has a HOTAS for that exact reason. Instead of plopping him in my computer chair and having him try to adjust to the size of my computer monitor, I can plug a HOTAS into the Steam Link and have him play out in the living room when he comes to visit. In fact, seeing as Steam Link can take full advantage of VirtualHere, nearly every controller or gamepad type should work without much fuss. VirtualHere essentially recognizes the HOTAS as being plugged in natively to my PC in the other room, and lets it work just as naturally.
Seeing as the upcoming Steam Machine continues to be delayed due to RAM shortages and fluctuating prices, I figured that finding a way to get my games to play consistently in the living room would be a great way to play my favorite games. And seeing as I can use almost any gamepad via Steam Link and the physical hardware, I can play any of my 1,000+ games without having to drop more money on another Valve invention. Even if I do love using SteamOS on my ROG Ally X, I’d be happy to save some cash.
Desktop streaming and Legacy support
Even though the Steam Link is over 10 years old, it still gets updates
Most devices stop receiving updates after a couple of years, especially if they’ve been discontinued by their original manufacturer. But not the Steam Link, which is still getting updates to fix old bugs and patch out issues that dedicated users have encountered. Things like mic fixes and even new beta builds are being pushed through all this time. But the secret weapon that some users may not realize isn’t even the Steam streaming client. It’s desktop streaming for remote desktop access, and access to your GOG, Epic, or other libraries.
By exiting Big Picture Mode, I can access every part of my desktop from the comfort of my couch. While I can cast specific browser windows to my TV using something like Google Chrome, using the Steam Link turns the 70″ TV in my living room into a fully usable remote streamer. I could pop open VLC and watch a movie, do some light video/image editing, or play any of my other games that aren’t a part of my Steam library. It’s just as smooth as the standard Steam Link process, as well, so I don’t need to worry about lag or other issues while using this method to access my PC. I’ve run a 75-foot CAT 6 cable from my office to the living room, routing the excess through my basement, and everything feels incredibly smooth. Wi-Fi can also work here, but it’s always recommended to try to use Ethernet when possible.
Steam Link only goes to 1080p/60Hz
The Steam Link can look a little soft compared to other consoles or streams
Now, while I can heap praise upon the Steam Link for days, there is one thing that users will need to consider. Seeing as the dawn of 4K wasn’t as prevalent in 2015 as it is now, you’ll need to remember that the Steam Link caps out at a maximum resolution of 1080P, and only does 60Hz. Seeing as it’s making something that was previously inaccessible accessible in my living room, it’s not the end of the world.
But those striving for the best graphics or resolution may not consider using the Steam Link, especially if their TV is capable of 4K/120Hz.
On a smaller display, this may not even be that noticeable. But on larger displays, that 1080p boundary can make things look rather soft and less detailed. Some folks don’t mind, while something like this could be a dealbreaker for others. The lack of HDR is another thing to consider, so even if your GPU is capable of outputting HDR for your favorite games, the Steam Link isn’t capable of displaying it.
- Brand
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Valve
- Operating System
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Windows, Mac, Linux
Steam is a digital video game storefront and program developed by Valve that allows gamers to purchase, play, and mod their titles all through one convenient program.
The gaming and productivity King of my living room
Sometimes, I don’t want to sit behind my computer desk and play games in my office. The same can be said about writing. A change of scenery is a wonderful thing, and thanks to the Steam Link, I can make that happen with little to no issue. Rock-solid connection over Ethernet, and plenty of unique use-cases make the Steam Link an invaluable piece of equipment for me, even if it’s getting close enough to the point where it could get a driver’s license of its own soon. While I’ve just jumped on the Steam Link train recently, I can see why people have regarded it so highly since its release.
