Steam Machine
News, coverage and analysis tracking Steam Machine across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Xbox Series X/S to get second price increase in less than a year
Microsoft is increasing the prices of the Xbox Series S by $100 USD and the Xbox Series X by $150 USD, effective August 1st, 2026, due to a global memory shortage driven by AI data center demand. The company is also discontinuing the 2TB Xbox Series X model. This follows a previous price hike in October and comes amid reports of studio closures and other gaming systems, like Valve's Steam Machine, also facing increased component costs.
Valve wasn't sure it was gonna have any Steam Machines to sell at the start of 2026: 'Things looked really…
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais discussed the challenges in producing Steam Machines, particularly due to the RAM crisis impacting component costs and availability. At the beginning of the year, Valve was uncertain if they would have any units to sell, but they have since managed to secure a sizable amount for launch, though day-one demand is expected to exceed supply.
Tencent, Xbox, Game Angels, Ansible and Flick to speak on Game Republic New Horizons investor stage
The Game Republic New Horizons conference will feature speakers from Tencent, Xbox, The Game Angels, Ansible, and Flick Games on its investor stage. The event, co-hosted by Games London, aims to connect game studios with investors and funders. Separately, Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra discussed the ongoing global chip shortage, predicting gradual improvement in 2028 due to increased demand from data centers powering AI.
Micron (MU) Q3 FY26 earnings results beat EPS and revenue expectations
Micron reported its Q3 FY26 earnings, exceeding analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings-per-share. The company's strong performance is attributed to high demand for its memory and storage components, driven by AI development and the gaming industry. Micron's stock saw an increase in after-hours trading following the announcement.
Steam Machine: Official Overview
This article provides an overview of the Steam Machine, focusing heavily on privacy policies and cookie usage. It details how user data is collected and processed for advertising, content personalization, and website functionality, outlining different categories of cookies and their purposes.
Valve Releases SteamOS So Anyone Can Make A Steam Machine Now
Valve has released SteamOS 3.8, making its Linux-based operating system available for all hardware configurations, allowing users to convert their existing PCs into Steam Machines. While discrete AMD GPU support is available now, Nvidia support is still in development. The Steam Machine hardware is set to go on sale on June 30.
Well, that explains the expensive Steam Machine: Valve can't negotiate with RAM companies for better prices because "if we say no, then they never talk to us again"
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais explained that the high price of the Steam Machine is due to RAM manufacturers refusing to negotiate, leaving Valve with limited options. This issue is exacerbated by generative AI companies consuming large amounts of RAM, driving up prices for all consumers and leading console manufacturers like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to increase their own hardware prices.
Valve Admits That it Didn’t Have Bargaining Power With RAM Companies for Steam Machine
Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais revealed that the high cost of the Steam Machine was partly due to a lack of bargaining power with memory manufacturers. These companies dictated prices with no room for negotiation, a situation exacerbated by the demand from AI data centers. Griffais also explained Valve's commitment to an open PC ecosystem, which prevented them from subsidizing the hardware cost like a console.
Valve Was Forced Into Making A Weird Hardware Decision With Steam Machine
Valve's Steam Machine launch is impacted by a RAM crisis, forcing a 'memory lottery' for consumers. All units will ship with 16GB of RAM, but configurations will vary between dual 8GB sticks or a single 16GB stick, potentially affecting performance due to single-channel memory speeds. Valve attributes this decision to supply chain issues and supplier demands.
"It didn't look like things were going to change anytime soon": Valve insist price worries were never behind Steam Machine delays
Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat clarified that supply chain issues, not pricing concerns, were the primary reason for the Steam Machine's delays. They explained that establishing efficient production lines and securing components took significant time and effort, impacting the launch quantity rather than the decision to release.
Better value than the Steam Machine: I'm determined to find you gaming PC deals this Prime Day that show why a traditional build is better in the long run, even in a RAMpocalypse
This article analyzes Prime Day gaming PC deals, arguing that traditional custom-built or prebuilt PCs offer better long-term value and performance than Valve's Steam Machine. The author, an experienced reviewer of PC components and systems, aims to find deals from retailers like Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, and Walmart that provide superior upgradeability and discrete graphics cards for living room gaming setups, even amidst current component shortages.
Steam Machine review roundup: Hefty pricetag for a niche product
Reviews for Valve's Steam Machine highlight its high price point, with the 512GB model costing $1,049 and the 2TB version $1,428, not including a controller. While praised for its compact design and smooth SteamOS performance, reviewers note that the hardware uses older AMD architecture and may not be powerful enough for high-end gaming, making it a niche product compared to more affordable consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
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.
Valve is Getting a “Fat” Profit Margin on Steam Machine – Rumor
Industry insiders Kepler and Moore's Law is Dead suggest Valve may be taking a significant profit margin on the Steam Machine, potentially higher than admitted. This speculation arises from the device's high price point, which some argue is not justified by its performance compared to custom-built PCs. Valve has stated they cannot subsidize hardware costs due to the open nature of the PC platform.
Steam Machine Couldn’t be Subsidized Because Valve Values PC’s Openness
Valve explained that the Steam Machine could not be subsidized due to Valve's commitment to PC's open ecosystem, preventing them from recouping costs through game sales or subscriptions. The company emphasized that the PC platform's strength lies in its openness, allowing users to choose hardware based on their personal tradeoffs, contrasting with the more closed console model. Factors like ongoing memory and storage shortages also contributed to the higher price point.
Steam Machine Reviews
Reviews for Valve's Steam Machine are beginning to surface as reservations open. The articles discuss the Steam Machine as a unique computer developed during challenging times for the industry.
Valve finally confirms Steam Machine price
Valve has finally announced pricing for its Steam Machine, with the base 512GB model costing $1,609.00 AUD. The device, intended to bring PC gaming to the living room, also has a 2TB model available for $2,109.00 AUD. Bundles including the Steam Controller are also available at higher price points.
The Internet Has Some Thoughts On The Steam Machine’s $1,000+ Price
Valve announced the Steam Machine will launch on June 30 with a minimum price of over $1,000, drawing significant negative reactions online. Many questioned the high cost, especially compared to building a custom PC, and speculated about future console pricing trends.