Valve’s Steam OS will be available to the general public from December 14, Valve has announced.

However, the company cautioned that it is still in development, and that its potentially tricky installation process is perhaps is not suitable for those without Linux experience.

"Unless you're an intrepid Linux hacker already, we're going to recommend that you wait until later in 2014 to try it out," it said.

December 14 is also the date Valve will ship prototype Steam Machines to 300 fans.

The company is expected to unveil next year's commercial Steam Machines on January 7 at the Consumer Electronics Show.