Component Shortage
Ongoing coverage on Component Shortage.
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Switch 2 is the second fastest-selling console in US history, as PlayStation records its worst May in decades - and Xbox its worst May ever
The Nintendo Switch has become the second fastest-selling console in US history, while the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S recorded their worst May sales figures ever. This downturn is attributed to significant price increases across all platforms, driven by ongoing component shortages exacerbated by AI data center demand. The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 may offer a temporary boost, but concerns remain about console affordability and stock availability.
Evening Consolidation
Microsoft has significantly increased Xbox prices globally and discontinued the 2TB model due to a component crisis. Separately, the game Abyssus has received its 1.3 update and launched on consoles.
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.
Microsoft announces even more Xbox Series price increases for 1st August
Microsoft is increasing the prices of Xbox Series X and Series S consoles globally starting August 1st, with some models seeing a 33% hike. The company cites rising component costs, particularly for SSDs and memory, as the primary reason for the price adjustments. This follows similar price increases last year and affects consoles worldwide, with specific US pricing detailed.
Xbox announces another console price hike, this time $100 more for the 512 GB and $150 for 1TB
Microsoft is implementing another worldwide price increase for its Xbox consoles, effective August 1. The 512GB models will increase by $100, and 1TB models by $150, due to rising component and memory costs. The disc-equipped 2TB Xbox Series X is also being discontinued.
'Above $1,000 Is the Floor': Analysts Predict PS6 Price, and It's Not Good
Industry analysts predict that the PlayStation 6 could launch at a price point exceeding $1,000 due to ongoing component shortages and market trends. While some believe Sony will maintain a price below $999 for marketing reasons, others foresee a significant increase, potentially delaying the console's release until 2028.
Prime Day PC deals are the answer to RAMageddon, and I've found the discounts to prove it
Amidst a significant RAM shortage impacting PC upgrades, Prime Day offers are presented as the best opportunity to purchase computer components. Deals are available from major retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy, including discounts on pre-built gaming PCs and individual components. The article highlights that these sales may be crucial for acquiring PC gaming hardware due to ongoing shortages and high demand.
$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.
"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.
Steam Machine price announced and even Valve admit it’s too expensive
Valve has announced the pricing for its Steam Machine console, with the cheapest model costing £879. The company attributes the high price to increased costs of memory and storage components, exacerbated by AI data center demand. This price point is significantly higher than anticipated and even surpasses the PlayStation 5 Pro, potentially limiting the Steam Machine's appeal to enthusiasts.
Steam Machine pricing starts at $1,049 for 512GB model
Valve's Steam Machine, a SteamOS-based console/PC hybrid, is now available for pre-order starting at $1,049 for the 512GB model. The pricing reflects its hybrid nature and is influenced by AI-driven component shortages. Valve aims for an open ecosystem, unlike the traditional console model of selling hardware at a loss.
"It's too dangerous for us to speculate": Valve don't know if Steam Machine prices will drop in the future, after admitting that "some people are going to priced out"
Valve has opened reservations for the new Steam Machine, with prices starting at £879 / $1049 / €1039 for the base 512GB model. Valve designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat attribute the high cost to ongoing component shortages and pricing issues, stating that the current prices reflect manufacturing realities. They acknowledge that some consumers will be priced out but believe it still offers good value compared to other market options, while declining to speculate on future price drops due to market uncertainty.
Valve Reveals Steam Machine Prices at Over $1000
Valve has revealed the pricing for its Steam Machines, with the cheapest model starting at $1049 USD for a 512GB SSD configuration. Higher-end models with 2TB SSDs and controllers range up to $1428 USD. Valve cited inflated prices and component shortages, partly due to AI data centers, as reasons for the high costs.
Steam Machine prices start at £879 / $1049, Valve confirm, as "randomised reservations" open for the SteamOS PC
Valve has confirmed pricing for the Steam Machine, with models starting at £879 / $1049, and has opened a randomized reservation system for orders. The company also clarified that Half-Life 3 will not be releasing with the Steam Machine. The article discusses the pricing in the context of current component shortages and the ordering system designed to mitigate reseller bots.
The Steam Machine is the biggest victim of the RAMpocalypse to date, and that's made me unreasonably annoyed
The Steam Machine, Valve's TV-focused PC, has become a victim of the 'RAMpocalypse,' leading to a significantly higher price than anticipated. The base 512 GB model retails for $1,049, with the 2 TB version costing $1,349, making it poor value compared to budget gaming PCs. This pricing, driven by memory component shortages, reflects a broader trend of inflated PC hardware costs.
A ray of hope for PC builders desperate for an upgrade - one of my favorite motherboards is being bundled with 32GB of…
Amidst component shortages and a lean Prime Day, PC builders are advised to look at motherboard bundles from retailers like Newegg for potential upgrades. The article highlights specific MSI and ASRock motherboard bundles that offer quality-of-life features and future-proofing for AMD's AM5 platform and Intel's upcoming CPUs.
Apple Says Price Hikes Are Coming, But Won’t Say Which Devices Will Be Hit
Apple CEO Tim Cook has indicated that price increases for its hardware are unavoidable due to ongoing component shortages and rising costs. While specific devices were not named, the company is working to mitigate the impact on consumers. The Mac Mini has already seen a price hike, and similar increases may affect iPhones and other products.
Xbox announces business 'reset' amid reports of layoffs and studio closures
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced a business 'reset' for Microsoft's gaming division, signaling significant layoffs and potential studio closures following years of declining revenue. The memo cites a substantial increase in component costs for hardware and memory, exacerbated by past expansion choices, as a major challenge. Sharma and Xbox content chief Matt Booty aim to revive the company by evolving its business model and partnerships over the next 100 days.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame This Summer
Valve has announced that both the Steam Machine and Steam Deck will ship this summer. This confirmation comes despite concerns about potential delays due to component shortages affecting the game machine and VR headset.
Valve really isn't budging: Steam Machine and Steam Frame are still 'shipping this summer,' it insists
Valve insists that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will still ship this summer, despite ongoing component shortages and price hikes affecting the industry. The company is expanding its Verified program to include this new hardware, with developers encouraged to use the Steam Deck for compatibility testing due to the absence of Steam Machine dev kits.
