A Polygon writer's extended use of Valve's Steam Machine has highlighted Steam Cloud saves as the console's standout feature, allowing seamless switching between the Steam Machine, Steam Deck and PC without losing progress. While the writer maintains their earlier verdict that the hardware is overpriced for its specs, they argue that this cross-device flexibility has genuinely changed their gaming habits and reduced reliance on their PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

Steam Cloud automatically syncs save data across devices, letting players pause a game on one machine and resume instantly on another, such as continuing a title started on the Steam Machine while travelling with a Steam Deck, or switching from handheld to a TV-connected desktop mid-session. The writer compares the setup favourably to Nintendo's Wii U and Switch concepts, and notes that rival cloud-streaming options on PlayStation Portal and Xbox remain comparatively unreliable, making the Steam ecosystem's flexibility a key selling point despite the Steam Machine's high price.