Steam Deck
News, coverage and analysis tracking Steam Deck across the outlets.
Valve has released Windows drivers for the Steam machine, y'know for the three people who managed to buy one and…Valve has released official Windows drivers for the Steam Machine, allowing users to switch from SteamOS to Microsoft's operating system. This move aims to increase game compatibility, particularly for online shooters, though dual-booting is not yet supported. Users will need an Ethernet connection for initial Windows product key entry as Wi-Fi drivers are installed later.
The RAM Crisis Is One Big Price-Fixing Monopoly, New Lawsuit ClaimsA new class-action lawsuit has accused Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix of colluding to fix prices for consumer RAM and storage, creating a monopoly. The lawsuit claims the manufacturers simultaneously shifted production away from consumer-grade DDR3 and DDR4 to focus on High-Bandwidth Memory for AI data centers, orchestrating a supply constraint. This alleged price-fixing has impacted the cost of PC and gaming hardware, leading to price increases across various platforms.
Valve says Steam Machine won't have 'as long of a timeframe' as Steam Deck, and new models are 'just…Valve engineers discussed the product strategy for the Steam Machine, indicating it will not have as long of a product lifecycle as the Steam Deck. Unlike the Steam Deck, which requires a fixed performance target for developers, the Steam Machine is more akin to a gaming PC with a variable performance gradient. Valve is observing the evolving PC hardware market and new game demands before committing to a new Steam Machine iteration.
PC price rises to slow this year, says Asus, though not in time for the Steam Machine launchAsus anticipates only single-digit price increases for its PC products in the coming months due to falling component costs, a significant decrease from recent price hikes. While these adjustments are expected in the third quarter, the company acknowledges that consumer acceptance will limit the extent of any increases. This trend is likely to be reflected globally, despite the report's focus on the Taiwanese market.
$1,049 Steam Machine is still a "good value," Valve engineer says, even though it was supposed to be $789 like…Valve engineers discuss the $1,049 price of the Steam Machine, acknowledging it's higher than their original $789 target due to component shortages. They believe the price is still competitive for its specifications and form factor, especially compared to self-built PCs, and hope consumers will understand the market conditions.- The Steam Machine Has Already Lost Is Biggest Advantage Before LaunchThe upcoming Steam Machine is set to launch without the significant advantage of its exclusive SteamOS, unlike the original Steam Deck. While the Steam Deck's success was largely due to its seamless, controller-friendly operating system in an uncontested market, the Steam Machine will face competition from more powerful handhelds and the ability for users to install SteamOS on any PC. This diminishes the Steam Machine's unique selling proposition, making its premium price point questionable despite Valve's broader goal of expanding Steam's reach.
- Valve’s wild Steam Machine price tag has gaming consumers balkingValve's upcoming Steam Machine is facing consumer backlash due to its high price point, with the lowest-tier 512 GB model costing $1,049 and the top-tier 2TB model reaching $1,428. Valve attributes the pricing to rising RAM and storage costs, stating their original price goal is no longer viable.
"This is going to be a niche device" – Analysts react to the $1,000+ Steam Machine price revealIndustry analysts are reacting to Valve's Steam Machine pricing, which starts at $1,049, significantly higher than initially anticipated. This increase is attributed to global component shortages, particularly memory and storage, exacerbated by the generative AI boom. Experts believe this high price point positions the Steam Machine as a niche product and raises questions about the future pricing of upcoming consoles from Sony and Microsoft, with some predicting they will also exceed $1,000.
Valve's $1,049 Steam Machine could've cost around $300 less if not for global RAM shortages, engineers say…Valve engineers have indicated that global RAM shortages contributed to the Steam Machine's $1,049 price tag, potentially increasing its cost by around $300. This situation mirrors recent price adjustments seen with the Steam Deck, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch due to market conditions. Consumers have expressed disappointment with the high price point for the console-PC hybrid.
You can now install SteamOS 3.8 on your standard gaming PC (with AMD GPU)Valve has released SteamOS 3.8, allowing users to install the Linux-based gaming operating system on their own PC hardware, provided they have an AMD GPU. While custom installs are in beta, this update enables users to run the same code as the Steam Machine on their personal computers. Support for Nvidia GPUs is planned for the future, but current custom installations require disabling Secure Boot and may encounter issues with specific hardware components.
Steam Machine price starts at £879Valve has announced the starting price for its Steam Machine, with the cheapest model priced at £879. The device will be available in four configurations, ranging up to £1,208, and requires users to join a waiting list before June 25th for a chance to purchase. Valve stated the Steam Machine is approximately six times more powerful than the Steam Deck.
Valve's Steam Machine price starts at $1049 / £879; original pricing "no longer viable" due to hardware supply issuesValve has announced that the Steam Machine will start at $1,049 USD / £879 GBP for the 512GB model and $1,349 USD / £1,149 GBP for the 2TB model, significantly higher than originally planned due to hardware supply issues. Availability will be limited and determined by a lottery system. Early reviews suggest it's a compelling entry-level gaming PC but too expensive to directly compete with consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
"Valve has a customer for life": Dad says Valve sent him a free Steam Deck case after his newborn threw up on…A father reported that Valve sent him a free replacement Steam Deck case after his newborn child vomited on the original. The user contacted Valve support hoping to purchase a replacement, but was instead sent one for free, leading him to declare Valve has earned his lifelong business due to exceptional customer service.
I've run the numbers, and if the Steam Machine does arrive this summer, this is how much it should costThis article analyzes the potential cost of Valve's upcoming Steam Machine, estimating a starting price of around $775 for the 512GB model and $975 for the 2TB model based on current PC component prices. The analysis considers wholesale versus retail pricing and compares it to the recent price increases of the Steam Deck OLED, suggesting a final retail price for the Steam Machine could exceed $1,000.
Steam Survey for May 2026 is out - Linux down at 3.99% but still above macOSThe May 2026 Steam Hardware & Software Survey shows a decrease in Linux user share to 3.99%, while Windows holds 93.85% and macOS 2.16%. This dip may be influenced by the Steam Deck's stock and pricing fluctuations, as well as the absence of Steam Machines and Steam Frames.
Panther Lake has another powerful iGPU in its lineup but you'll probably never see itIntel's upcoming Panther Lake processors feature powerful integrated graphics (iGPUs) like the 12 Xe-core B390, but high DRAM prices driven by AI demand may prevent these chips from appearing in affordable laptops and handhelds. Manufacturers like Framework are opting for higher-end configurations due to the minimal cost difference, suggesting that the full potential of these iGPUs might remain inaccessible to consumers.
NAND flash makers earned a record $46 billion in revenues over the first quarter of 2026, a shocking 3.5 times more than…NAND flash makers achieved record revenues of $46 billion in Q1 2026, driven primarily by the demand for enterprise-grade SSDs in AI data centers. This surge in demand has led to significantly higher prices for gaming SSDs and other storage devices, with projections indicating continued price increases due to limited production capacity.
We may learn the Steam Machine launch date very soon, as Steam's backend just got updated with a welcome tourValve has updated Steam's backend with a 'welcome tour' for the Steam Machine, suggesting its launch date and price may be revealed soon. This follows previous delays and uncertainty surrounding the PC-console hybrid's release. The article also touches on global supply chain issues impacting consumer electronics prices.
The Best Bags For Gamers & TravellersThis guide reviews various bags suitable for gamers and travelers, focusing on laptop protection, organization, and durability. Featured brands include Bellroy, Peak Design, Timbuk2, ALPAKA, Samsonite, Alienware, Maverick & Co., Mystery Ranch, URTH, Alaskan Leather Company, Freitag, and Targus, with options ranging from backpacks to messenger bags and cross-body slings.
Video game hardware is dead and there’s only one alternative - Reader's FeatureA reader expresses concern over the rising costs of gaming hardware, citing the Steam Deck's significant price increase and the anticipated expense of next-generation consoles. The author suggests cloud gaming, particularly pushed by Microsoft, as the likely alternative despite its drawbacks like reliance on stable internet and lack of game ownership.