Valve has set the starting price for its Steam Machine at $1049 / £879, citing that the initial pricing plan has become "no longer viable" as a result of hardware supply challenges
The pricing and lottery-based limited availability of Valve's Steam Machine, akin to the successful Steam Deck, have been announced. This device comes in two storage configurations: 512GB, priced at $1,049 USD / £879 GBP, and 2TB, priced at $1,349 USD / £1,149 GBP. Registration for interested buyers is now open, with a lottery system determining allocation.
Critics have generally praised the Steam Machine for its design and compact nature, though its pricing is seen as steep compared to competitors like the PS5 and the Xbox Series consoles. More information can be found on the discussion about industry impact.
Those looking to buy the Steam Machine must sign up on the Valve official site by June 25, 10 am Pacific time. After registration closes, a random lottery will assign reservation queue spots. This approach aims to "improve the purchase experience and limit reselling."
Valve stated, "As units become available, those registered will receive an email offering purchase options," with the initial batch of emails being dispatched from June 29. They plan to fulfill the queue orders by year-end.
Due to changes in hardware costs and scarce availability, Valve's initial pricing targets became unfeasible. RAM and storage prices have surged, impacted by extensive purchases by AI hyperscalers. This situation has affected the component market, making them harder to secure.
The Steam Machine is sold either by itself or in a package with a Steam controller, with regional pricing detailed below:
| Bundle | USD | GBP | EUR | CAD | AUD | PLN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Machine 515GB | $1,049 | £879 | €1,039 | C$1,509 | A$1,609 | zł4,389 |
| Steam Machine 515GB + Steam Controller | $1,128 | £938 | €1,108 | C$1,628 | A$1,728 | zł4,698 |
| Steam Machine 2TB | $1,349 | £1,149 | €1,359 | C$1919 | A$2,109 | zł5,739 |
| Steam Machine 2TB + Steam Controller | $1,428 | £1,208 | €1,428 | C$2,038 | A$2,228 | zł6,048 |
Valve had suggested that the device's price would be competitively matched with that of similar PCs. Initially, industry watchers anticipated the Steam Machine to disrupt the console market, specifically challenging Microsoft's stance by integrating the Linux-based SteamOS with extensive Steam library support found on desktops.
First-hand reviews have been largely favorable. IGN's Jackie Thomas awarded the Steam Machine 8 out of 10, noting its position as a cost-effective entry into PC gaming, though acknowledging its steep price tag compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Describing it as "incredible for beginners," it remains one of the most accessible ways into PC gaming today.
James Archer from Rock Paper Shotgun highlighted the unique aspect of the Steam Machine as "a subtly powerful device better suited for living-room setups," distinct from traditional PCs despite limited high-end performance typical of gaming desktops. The full analysis is available in his review.
Eurogamer's Chris Tapsell echoed these sentiments, mentioning the possibility of constructing more powerful custom PCs at similar costs, with potential for upgrading. He noted the machine doesn’t match the PS5 Pro in terms of cost and performance but brings a "new standard" to the living-room console style and experience.