Steam Deck
News, coverage and analysis tracking Steam Deck across the outlets.
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$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 Launch
The 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 balking
Valve'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 reveal
Industry 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 £879
Valve 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 issues
Valve 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 cost
This 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 macOS
The 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 it
Intel'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 tour
Valve 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 & Travellers
This 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 Feature
A 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.
The RAMageddon hits home
Valve has significantly increased the price of its Steam Deck handheld due to ongoing global shortages and price hikes in RAM and SSDs. This move highlights the broader crisis in consumer hardware pricing, impacting not only handhelds but also PCs, consoles, and other digital devices. The situation may also drive further adoption of cloud gaming as a more affordable alternative.
Despite astronomical price hike, the Steam Deck has sold out again in North America
Despite a significant price increase to $949 for the 1TB model, Valve's Steam Deck has sold out again in North America shortly after being restocked. Intermittent stock issues are attributed to memory and storage shortages, potentially exacerbated by Valve's focus on other hardware projects like the Steam Machine. Limited stock remains available in other regions, with the LCD model still available in Australia at its original price.
Valve allegedly had higher Steam Machine prices in mind before the Steam Deck hike, but I need you not to assume the…
Recent leaks suggest Valve's upcoming Steam Machine may have been planned with higher prices than the current Steam Deck OLED models. While exact figures are speculative, insider information indicates potential pricing exceeding $800, with the author advising caution due to ongoing hardware cost fluctuations.
Valve hikes Steam Deck prices as stock replenishes
Valve has increased the price of the Steam Deck handheld gaming PC as stock levels are replenished. The company cited rising component costs as the reason for the price adjustment.