I wasn’t immediately sure who the latest Steam client beta update, which allows Steam review writers to optionally attach their hardware specs and anonymised framerate data, was for. The reviewers? Not unless they want to inadvertently reveal that the reason they aren’t getting 360fps in Space Marine 2 is because they’re trying to run it on a 3DFX Voodoo Banshee. Developers? Performance data could be useful but if I ran a QA department, I’d want that coming from observable tests, not from the bottom of a slur-filled missive from ViperSniper69 (0.2hrs on record).

Then I read the words "This feature is currently in Beta with a focus on devices running SteamOS," and realised: this is for Valve themselves. A devious ploy to record how thousands of hitherto unbenchmarked games run on the Steam Deck and, eventually, the new Steam Machine.

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Steam Deck OLED stock is the latest victim of the AI boom-related explosion in RAM and SSD prices, it seems. Valve has just added a notice to its Steam Deck store page explaining that "Steam Deck OLED may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages." Steam Deck supply has often been hit with outages, particularly during the early days of the launch of both the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED, thanks to Valve's gaming handheld simply being so popular that it regularly sold out. However, several years into its existence, stock of the Steam Deck OLED has generally been fairly consistent, up until now.

Read the full story on PCGamesN: Steam Deck OLED stock hit by RAM and SSD shortages in worrying sign for Steam Machine release

It seems it will be easier to be Steam Machine Verified when compared with Steam Deck Verified, according to a Valve designer speaking with Game Developer.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

The Steam Machine, announced in late 2025, is yet to make a proper price announcement, with Valve eluding that information since first mentioning the thing. Amid rising RAM costs, it's understandable that waters have been muddled, but recent leaks indicate the company is planning to sell the device at a ludicrous price, even with the current situation.

As per a Jan. 9 Reddit post, which showed a Czech retailer's listing for the Steam Machine, Valve's latest and greatest hardware release is allegedly going to cost between $950 and $1070 for the 512GB and 2TB models, respectively.

Even considering that this figure likely includes VAT (21 percent, indicating a $785 or $885 pre-tax price), this would put it leagues above the base PlayStation 5, which it rivals in terms of raw power, despite its advantages as a PC rather than a specialized console. At this stage, you can get yourself a used PS5 for around $300 in the second-hand market with no extra tax on top, making it more than twice as cheap as the Steam Machine, which can in no way compete even at the usual $499 retail price point.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Gamingnewsandleaks/comments/1q88b1u/grain_of_salt_steam_machine_price_leaked_1000_for/

The increased price is likely due to the steep jump in undiced DRAM prices lately that have affected not only proper RAM, but every single hardware module that uses memory, including storage, motherboards, graphics cards, and everything in between. It's an unprecedented market situation at the moment, worse than even those COVID years when Bitcoin mining ate through the entirety of the global GPU supply.

However, at this price, it's basically dead on arrival. No one who has any other options would settle for purchasing a frankly low-range machine for over a thousand bucks when that same money could be funneled into consoles or even a much better PC in the used (or on-sale retail) market.

You could literally buy a PS5 with two controllers, a 4K OLED, and probably a game to play on them for the same price as just the Steam Machine itself, which is a Linux-based, Steam-oriented PC coming with its own fair share of base limitations.

It just does not make sense to release the Steam Machine at this price, at least not if it's aimed at the average Joe and not corporations and their use cases, where Valve can't expect to make up for a loss leader strategy through game sales. However, as Valve usually sells its hardware through Steam and not retailers, it's safe to say that the price above also includes their cut, somewhat increasing the official listing. Even so, I don't believe it's a big factor, given how large the base price probably is. Soon, we will know for sure.

The post Pricing the Steam Machine at $1,000 would kill it before it even arrived appeared first on Destructoid.

Update 09/01/2026: In response to the publication of this article, a separate user on X (formerly Twitter) dug into the Smarty.cz source code to verify the Steam Machine pricing estimates for themselves, and went a step further to look into Alza, another Czech retailer and one of the country's largest. On Alza's listing for the Steam Machine, user Hajedan also found that it had a similar pricing structure for the Steam Machine, though added that the original post's indication that the actual price will be lower than the conversion estimates is almost definitely correct due to Alza and Smarty.cz including […]

Read full article at https://wccftech.com/steam-machine-price-leak-valve/

With the Steam Frame and Steam Machine launching with SteamOS Linux this year, we're going to again see a nice boost for Flatpaks and desktop Linux overall.

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Read the full article on GamingOnLinux.

Valve’s quiet bankrolling of open-source emulation tools could make it heaps easier to play your PC games library on a humble smartphone, though it sounds like Gabe-made SteamOS phones are unlikely to be joining the company’s growing hardware catalogue. In an interview with The Verge, Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed that they’ve been funding the development of Fex – a free compatibility tool that gets Windows apps functioning on mobile ARM processors – since well before revealing the ARM-based Steam Frame standalone VR headset.

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This week’s most popular game is not a robovoiced extraction shooter or a buggy martial arts RPG, but Guess The Steam Machine Price: a well-meaning (if largely speculative) timepasser wherein whoever most accurately converts Valve’s teasing into a final street price for the resurrected SteamOS mini-PC wins. In 2026, when it launches.

I feel left out, so will have a go myself below, though there’s quite a serious kink in mine or indeed anyone’s plan to ticket the Steam Machine by speccing an equivalent DIY PC. Alas, RAM prices have gone stratospheric, in a manner not seen among computing components since the Great Graphics Card Dumpster Fire of 2020.

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Valve has revealed its refreshed Steam Machine, a compact PC designed for living-room or TV-attached gaming. Unlike the old partner-built Steam Machines from the 2010s, this version is entirely made by Valve and runs SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) with a KDE Plasma desktop interface. Launch is expected in early 2026. Key Features & Specs Component Specification…

The post Valve’s New Steam Machine 2025: Specs, Performance & Limitations appeared first on Invision Game Community.

Valve tried making Steam Machines a thing once, long ago, but they flopped so hard that we barely even remember them. Still, Valve has changed, and the new Steam Machine looks like an entirely different machine, so let's look at why they might actually pull it off this time around.

Better and friendlier Steam Controller

The first time I saw a PS1 controller was in a TV ad, and it just looked too different from any controller of its time to have me sold on it. It was only when I tried it out at a store's display that I realized it was the most ergonomic controller at that point.

The original Steam controller was actually pretty good, but its radically unique design just threw so many off before they even got to try it. That was made worse by how people could only buy it online, missing out on the chance to test it themselves before passing a harsh judgment. The new Steam controller keeps the features of the original, while looking a lot more like a regular controller would. The Steam Machine isn't meant to work solely with the new Steam Controller, but that's a great way to conquer the more casual-oriented family demographic. The device used to interact with the new system must look ergonomic and accessible even before potential users experience it.

ARM Support is a great strategic advantage

As caught by Digital Foundry, the new Steam Machine might have a powerful trick up its sleeve. Long story short, the new Steam Machine features ARM support, which will allow it to fight on all fronts. The main reason why the original Steam Machine failed was that it ran on Linux, and just didn’t entice enough developers to create native Linux ports of their games, which resulted in a killer lack of output. The new Steam Machine will run on Steam OS 3, which comes from Linux as well, yes, but it'll be compatible not only with PC games, but also mobile ones.

One Steam Machine to rule them all

Everything about the original Machine was too confusing, to the point that there wasn’t even just "one" Steam Machine, but a bunch of different machines from different manufacturers with the Steam Machine brand slapped on them. On top of adding extra layers of confusion, this exacerbated existing problems. The original Steam Machine was meant to compete with PCs, but it had a limited or null range for upgrades, depending on its manufacturer. It was, somehow, both a more limited and more confusing product than a PC.

We still don't know the range of upgradeability of the new Steam Machine, but it'll feature a unified hardware and, also very importantly, design. It might seem stupid, but this is what makes people see the machine as a strong product, and not as one of many confusing and less alluring alternatives to a PC. Have you noticed its cube shape and how everyone has been calling it the "Gabe Cube"? That sounds a lot like Valve might've cooked themselves behind the scenes to take off in a seemingly organic way, and, either way, it sure has. That's a sign that something is happening.

Consoles are too comfortable right now

The console market currently sucks, with the output of games at an all-time low and prices at an all-time high. Back then, even the cheapest Steam Machine would cost you $499, rendering it incapable of competing with the PS4. Today, even at the higher price point that Valve is hinting at for the Steam Machine, a lot of people might just shell out a few more dollars to get a more powerful system with access to a much larger library—one that even includes many of the best PlayStation games out there.

Why the Steam Machine can really pull it off

In case you're still not aware of it, I must break it to you that we're currently in the era of "Enshittification", a term coined by Sci-Fi author Cory Doctorow that describes the process by which online platforms become less effective and sometimes straight-up sillier for no apparent reason. Sadly, that also rings true regarding tech products, despite all manner of technological advances. Valve, however, seems serious about delivering something new that also performs old functions better.

Also, Valve is simply in a much better position to promote its own hardware right now. The Steam Deck is a massive success, a miraculous non-Nintendo piece of mobile hardware that's not only selling like hot cakes but has even inspired a wide array of competitors, effectively creating a new line of hardware in the mobile-PC hybrid arena.

Despite its current ubiquity, Steam wasn't always the juggernaut it currently is. The idea of a launcher might sound pretty useful, so long as it's not competing with a bunch of others, but not everyone was immediately keen on an extra step required to play a game. Valve, however, ended up improving Steam until it became essential to every PC gamer. Steam Machines might just follow suit, regardless of how silly that sounds right now.

The post Valve’s Steam Machine specs show they learned from their failure a decade ago appeared first on Destructoid.

Rumors of Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine console not being cheap has been going around for a while now especially with Linus Tech Tips claiming that the energy after asking the team if it would be around $500 “wasn’t great.” Following this, Valve Software Engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais, revealed on the Friends Per Second Podcast that the console will be priced similarly to a PC with the “same level of performance,” and not like other consoles or the Steam Deck. When asked about the price, Griffais said, “It’s more in line with what you might expect from the current PC market. Obviously, our goal is for it to be a good deal at that level of performance. And then you have features that are actually really hard to build if you’re making your own gaming PC from parts.” “Things like the small form factor and I think the noise level that we achieved or lack thereof is really impressive,” he continued. “And we’re excited that the people are going to find out how quiet this thing is.” The Steam Machine will launch in early 2026.

The device’s details:

Steam Machine

Your Steam Library in More Places

With over six times the horsepower of Steam Deck, Steam Machine has the power to play your whole Steam library, including your favorite AAA titles. Just sign in with your Steam account and your entire library is there.

There’s an LED Strip, Y’all!

Keep tabs on system status like download progress, even when your screen is off. Customize it with different colors and animations. Or turn it off!

Optimized for Gaming…

It Runs SteamOS – Steam Machine runs Valve’s gaming-first operating system. SteamOS is designed to provide a plug-and-play user experience, while keeping the power and flexibility of a PC. Experience SteamOS in the same way as other Steam hardware, like Steam Deck and Steam Frame.

Steam Machine Verified – We are expanding our Verified program to include ratings for Steam Machine, so customers can understand how their games will run.
…and it’s a PC

Yes, Steam Machine is optimized for gaming, but it’s still your PC. Install your own apps, or even another operating system. Who are we to tell you how to use your computer?

Steam Machine Plays Well, Wherever Steam is

Made for Steam Controller – Steam Machine comes with a built-in wireless adapter, just for pairing with Steam Controller. (Up to four with a single adapter!) This means you can pair your Steam Controller without its puck, and you can wake your Steam Machine without leaving your couch.

Great for Streaming – With enough horsepower to take on the most demanding games, Steam Machine is the perfect host PC for streaming to other devices. Easily stream to your Steam Deck, Steam Frame, or any other device running Steam or Steam Link.

 

Key Features

SteamOS – An OS optimized for gaming, with fast suspend/resume, and cloud saves. And that’s just the start.

Small Form Factor – Put it under your TV. Set it on your desk. Hide it under a banana. It’s powerful PC gaming packed into a roughly 6-inch (~160mm) cube.
Cool and Quiet – Steam Machine keeps cool and runs whisper-quiet, even while running the most demanding games.

I/O for Days – Ready for all the peripherals and monitors you can throw* at it: 1 Gigabit Ethernet. DisplayPort 1.4. HDMI 2.0. One USB-C and four USB-A ports. *But, like, don’t actually throw things at it.

CPU and GPU – 4K gaming at 60 frames per second with FSR, thanks to a discrete semi-custom AMD desktop class CPU and GPU.

Storage – Available in two storage sizes: 512GB and 2TB. Both come with expandable storage via microSD.

Connectivity – 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, plus Bluetooth 5.3 with a dedicated antenna. Steam Controller’s wireless adapter is built right into Steam Machine for direct pairing.
Power – No giant brick! Steam Machine’s power supply is built right in.

 

Technical Specifications

General
CPU	Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
GPU	Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP
RAM	16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Power	Internal power supply, AC power 110–240V
Storage	Two Steam Machine models: 512GB NVMe SSD 2TB NVMe SSD Both models include a high-speed microSD card slot
Connectivity
Wi-Fi	2×2 Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna
Steam Controller	Integrated 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wireless adapter
I/O
Displays	DisplayPort 1.4 Up to 4K at 240Hz or 8K at 60Hz Supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining HDMI 2.0 Up to 4K at 120Hz Supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC
USB	Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front Two USB-A 2.0 High speed ports in the back One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the back
Networking	Gigabit ethernet
LED Strip	17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizability
Size and Weight
Size	152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide
Weight	2.6 kg
Software
Operating System	SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
Desktop	KDE Plasma

Stay tuned at Gaming Instincts via Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for more gaming news.

The post The Steam Machine Will Be Priced Like A PC in The Current Market appeared first on Gaming Instincts - Next-Generation of Video Game Journalism.

While Valve has noted that it will price the Steam Machine so that it’s “more in line” with the “current PC market”, the company is yet to confirm what exactly this means. Former Xbox executive and Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, however, believes that the company should be more open with its operating system – SteamOS – and allow other companies to use it as well. In a social media post, Ybarra said that a key to the adoption of SteamOS would be to allow more companies to ship it with their own systems.

“Dear Valve Software, please just let 3rd parties use SteamOS and make the [hardware] with many different configurations,” wrote Ybarra. “SteamOS will take off and your Store revenue will only go up.” Ybarra went on to note that using SteamOS like this would also be a great move for Xbox, rather than the company sticking to Windows.

“This is what Xbox should do, btw,” his post continued. “But they will likely be forced to push Windows with AI, co-pilot, teams, and more. They could do GREAT if they embraced SteamOS on HW.”

It is worth noting that, since it is a Linux-based operating system, SteamOS is quite open even in its current form, with some users even finding success when they attempt to use the Steam Deck’s SteamOS recovery image on a desktop PC with AMD hardware. However, Valve hasn’t yet released SteamOS on its own to the public, and the operating system is still largely limited to specific sets of hardware, like the aforementioned Steam Deck and Lenovo’s Legion Go S.

The decision to not open it out the public is likely a technical one, since the operating system would need wider driver support in order to run on more hardware. Currently, the company is more focused on ensuring that its own hardware – the Steam Deck and the upcoming Steam Machine and Steam Frame – and is working with AMD to ensure the correct drivers are available in for the operating system. In fact, the company is likely keen on opening the operating system up to more hardware companies, but doesn’t have the bandwidth to ensure that all of the required driver development for different hardware configurations can be supported.

While SteamOS on its own might be “officially” limited to only Valve’s hardware releases, the Linux community has stepped up to fill in the gaps on its own. One of the more popular Linux distribution that offers a SteamOS-like experience is the Fedora-based Bazzite, which allows users to set it up to be quite similar to SteamOS, including booting right into Steam’s Big Picture mode.

On the subject of Xbox and the Steam Machine, NYU Stern Schoool of Business professor and industry analyst Joost van Dreunen has referred to Valve’s upcoming compact gaming PC as “Microsoft’s worst nightmare”.

“Steam Machine basically turns Microsoft’s worst nightmare into a shipping product,” said van Dreunen. “It pushes Microsoft further down the path it’s already walking, where Game Pass and cloud access matter more than plastic boxes.”

The Steam Machine is slated for launch some time in early 2026, alongside the new Steam Controller and the Steam Frame VR headset.

Dear @valvesoftware, please just let 3rd parties use SteamOS and make the HW with many different configurations. SteamOS will take off and your Store revenue will only go up.

This is what Xbox should do, btw. But they will likely be forced to push Windows with AI, co-pilot,… https://t.co/ZFzcxLZqnj

— Mike Ybarra 🦃 (@Qwik) November 21, 2025

The post The Steam Machine Keeps Sounding More And More Expensive appeared first on Kotaku.

A lot of people are expecting that the Steam Machine will bridge the gap between PC and consoles, and that’s certainly what Valve is hoping for. From what we’ve seen so far, it looks to be a really neat little PC, and Valve promises it can play games at up to 4K at 60 FPS. If you know anything about PC gaming, you know that’s no easy (or affordable) feat. 

There’s been a lot of debate around the Steam Machine’s pricing, but Valve has now addressed the matter directly. In the Friends Per Second podcast, Valve’s Lawrence Yang and Pierre-Loup Griffais were asked tough questions about Valve’s ambitions with the console/PC hybrid, and they said the following regarding pricing:

“I think that if you build a PC from parts, and get to the same level of performance, that’s the general price window we aim to be at.”

The Duo also stated that the Steam Machine’s price would be closer to the expectations people have from the PC market. No exact figure was given, but for context, you can build a similar gaming PC to the Steam Machine for around $800, in terms of performance. 

Will The Steam Machine Be Too Expensive For Most People?

As someone who is very in-tune with PC gaming hardware, I’m not surprised that the Steam Machine won’t be around $500. With the boom of AI, massive companies are buying up all the memory and storage they can get their hands on, inflating the price of DDR5 RAM kits and NVMe SSDs. Both of these components are highly important for modern gaming PCs, and with prices going higher, PCs are getting expensive once again. 

I think this so-called “GabeCube” will cost anywhere between $700-$800. That puts it right next to the PS5 Pro in terms of pricing, and I reckon most casual gamers will pick the Sony console. Heck, most would go with the standard PS5 that sits at $550. In the same Friends Per Second podcast (great podcast, by the way, I watch it regularly), Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed that the Steam Machine won’t be subsidized hardware. 

What that means is that Valve won’t be taking a loss on hardware and trying to recoup costs from game profits. So, it looks like the Steam Machine will still be a good entry point for new PC gamers, thanks to the streamlined SteamOS, but it won’t come cheap.

Valve has addressed the pricing for its recently announced hybrid PC, the Steam Machine.

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Distribution for the newly announced Steam hardware will be the same as the Steam Deck, Valve has confirmed, though it's working on improvements.

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