Affordable E‑ink and Dot‑Matrix Faceplates for the Steam Machine Hit the Shelves

After teasing a trio of front‑panel customizations for the ever‑popular Steam Machine, Jsaux finally made two of them available for purchase. The excitement is real – and the price tags are surprisingly modest.

The first option is a 7‑inch RGB dot‑matrix display that sports a resolution of 64 × 54 pixels. It may sound tiny, but the colour‑capable matrix can show system temps, RAM usage, or even a rotating GIF of your favourite meme. In short, it’s a little billboard for whatever you want to broadcast, and it plugs into the console via a USB‑C cable that carries both power and data.

If you’re after something a bit sharper, the second faceplate swaps the matrix for a 5.8‑inch e‑ink screen. This panel pushes a 640 × 480 resolution and 16 levels of grayscale, giving you crisp, laptop‑like clarity. For now it’s monochrome, but Jsaux hinted that a colour variant could show up later. The e‑ink unit runs on a modest 500 mAh battery and talks to the Steam Machine over Bluetooth 5, meaning no tangled wires.

Because e‑ink only consumes power when the image changes, the battery can sit idle for ages when displaying static content – perfect for a “always‑on” status screen. The dot‑matrix side, meanwhile, draws power directly from the USB‑C connection, so you never have to worry about recharging.

Pricing is where these accessories really shine. The RGB dot‑matrix faceplate is listed at just under $90, while the e‑ink version costs a shade less than $100. For the amount of visual flair and functional data they add, it’s a steal.

Overall, Jsaux’s new faceplates give Steam Machine owners a fresh way to personalize their rigs without breaking the bank. Whether you’re into colourful pixel art or prefer the understated elegance of e‑ink, there’s a panel to suit your taste.