The pieces in Valve's plan for console-style PCs fall into place at CES 2014, where the company names the hardware partners making the first batch of SteamOS-powered games machines.

Interestingly enough CES does not host a Valve-branded Steam Machine-- the company instead leaves the stage open to 13 other companies, namely Alienware, Alternate, CyberPowerPC, Digital Storm, Falcon NW, GigaByte, iBuyPower, Maingear, Materiel.net, Next Spa, Origin PC, Scan, Webhallen and Zotac.

The Steam Machines seen at the show range from $500 entry-level options to $6000 high-spec monsters. All pack an array custom specifications inside at times slightly bizarre custom hardware. Current favourites include Gigabyte's miniature cube, Falcon NW's desktop number (complete with lurid decal!) and the PS4-style option from iBuyPower.

Upgrading existing PCs might be fun for the enthusiasts, but most customers lack the skills to replace a graphics card, never mind a CPU or a motherboard. Enter Razer's Christine, a concept for a modular PC with plug-and-play upgradabilty.

The idea behind Christine sounds clever. It essentially consists of a central backbone into which one slots all components making up a PC. Said components-- be it CPU, GPU or HDD-- come as cable-free self-contained modules, and attach into the backbone via PCI-E ports.

Users can attach modules in any order, and each features active liquid cooling and noise cancellation. According to the company these include quad-SLI graphics, multiple SSD and RAID storage components, IO and even power supplies.

LG reveals a desktop PC running on ChromeOS-- the Chromebase (Model 22CV241), the first all-in-one (AIO) PC running on Google's cloud-based operating system complete with 21.5-inch IPS display.

It is actually the second desktop ChromeOS machine we recall, the other being the Mac Mini-style Samsung Chromebox.

The Chromebase promises "the successful combination of simplicity, power and great design" if with fairly modest specs-- Intel Celeron CPU, 2GB RAM, 16GB SSD, 1.3MP webcam and built-in 5W speakers as well as a complement of ports (including HDMI-in).

Following the launch of the Envy 17 Leap Motion SE laptop HP integrates gesture-based input technology in 11 desktop and all-in-one (AIO) PCs, all armed with a keyboard featuring built-in Leap Motion sensors.

Available separately as the HP USB Leap Motion Keyboard, the keyboard carries an embedded micro sensor only 3.5mm thick. Select HP PCs also ship with pre-installed Airspace and Leap Motion software, together with free bundled apps.

Users can buy more apps through the online Airspace Store.