Hardware Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Pricing.
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Valve on the $99 Steam Controller: 'I do know price has gone up from where we originally wanted it to be'
Valve designer Lawrence Yang acknowledged that the Steam Controller's final price of $99 is higher than originally intended due to external factors. Despite the increased cost, Yang believes the controller's unique PC functionality will still drive sales, and regional pricing variations are expected due to import duties.
AI Yi-Yi!
China has blocked Meta's proposed $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, citing antitrust concerns. Meanwhile, Intel has warned that CPU prices may increase due to rising costs associated with artificial intelligence development and implementation.
Gamers, it's time to get excited — the Steam Machine's price and launch date may be imminent
Valve is reportedly nearing an announcement for the price and release date of the Steam Machine, with rumors suggesting the company may sell the device at a loss. This follows recent sightings of the Steam Controller, leading to speculation that both hardware components are close to launch. The pricing strategy is being considered amidst a global memory crisis impacting PC hardware costs.
Valve could sell the Steam Machine at a loss, and that would be a win for everyone
Valve may sell the Steam Machine at a loss initially to encourage lower MSRPs from console makers. Rumors suggest the Steam Controller will launch on May 4 for $99, potentially helping to recoup hardware losses. This strategy mirrors traditional console makers who sell hardware at a loss to drive game and add-on sales.
Steam Controller Price Leaks Online
A leaked YouTube video revealed that Valve's upcoming Steam Controller will be priced at $99.99. Valve has also indicated that ongoing RAM and storage shortages may impact the release dates for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, potentially delaying them into 2026, despite earlier hopes for a first-half-of-the-year launch.
Leak suggests solid pricing for Steam Machine, but even that might be too high to save it
A leak suggests Valve is targeting a $650 to $750 price range for the Steam Machine, influenced by fluctuating RAM prices and the AI market. This pricing places it competitively against the PlayStation 5 Slim but potentially above other consoles and custom PCs, raising concerns about its market viability. The article speculates that Valve should instead focus on iterating the Steam Deck.
"We need to adjust our pricing" - The cost of the Meta Quest 3 and 3S is rising by up to $100, and that plays right into Valve's hands if the Steam Frame ever launches
Meta is increasing the prices of its Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S VR headsets by up to $100 starting April 19, 2026, citing rising component costs. This price adjustment may benefit Valve's upcoming Steam Frame by reducing the price gap between the devices. Meta reaffirmed its commitment to VR despite recent layoffs and market speculation.
Sony should re-release the PS4 to combat rising prices - Reader’s Feature
A reader proposes that Sony should re-release the PlayStation 4 instead of focusing on the upcoming PlayStation 6 to combat rising hardware prices. The author argues the PS4 offered a better balance of power and affordability, and that continuing its production with updated features like the DualSense controller would be more beneficial for both consumers and developers than releasing a more expensive, incrementally powerful next-generation console.
PS5 and Switch 2 prices set to rise again as memory chip costs more than double
Rising memory chip costs, driven by high demand from AI data centers, are projected to increase hardware component prices by up to 75%. This trend is expected to lead to price hikes for current and future consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, and potentially delay next-generation hardware releases. Valve has also acknowledged that these shortages have altered its launch plans for its Steam Machine.
Meta is raising the price of the Quest 3 and Quest 3S due to memory price rises made worse by Meta
Meta is increasing the prices of its Quest 3 and Quest 3S virtual reality headsets due to rising component costs, particularly for memory chips. This price adjustment will affect both new and refurbished units, with the Quest 3 seeing a $100 increase in the US and the Quest 3S models increasing by $50. Meta cites the global surge in memory chip prices, exacerbated by AI infrastructure demand, as the primary reason for the change.
Meta Quest headset prices are going up on April 19
Meta is increasing the prices of its Quest 3 and Quest 3S virtual reality headsets starting April 19 due to rising RAM costs. The Quest 3 will increase by $100 to $599, and the Quest 3S will be $50 more expensive at $350 for the 128GB model. Sony also recently raised prices for PlayStation 5 consoles and the PlayStation Portal for similar reasons.
The Lenovo Legion Go 2 handheld costs more than two Nvidia RTX 5080 GPUs — and that's genuinely absurd
Lenovo has significantly increased the price of its 2TB Legion Go 2 handheld to $2,850, making it more expensive than two Nvidia RTX 5080 GPUs. This price hike, which also affected the 1TB model, is attributed to the ongoing memory crisis impacting PC hardware. The company has not provided an official explanation for the substantial increase.
PlayStation 6 Handheld Could Cost $500-$700, Leak Suggests
A recent leak suggests Sony is planning a PlayStation 6 handheld device with a price point between $500 and $700. This premium pricing indicates a focus on high-end hardware capable of running next-generation games, targeting enthusiasts rather than casual users. The strategy aims to avoid past mistakes like those with the PS Vita and compete with premium handheld PCs.
Evening Tech Bits
AMD has announced that its new Ryzen 9 9950X3D processor will be priced at $899, making it $200 more expensive than the standard Ryzen 9 9950X. Separately, a survey indicates that 71% of gamers would refuse to use Nvidia's DLSS technology.
Rising Oil Prices Are Bad News For Fans Who Still Need A Switch 2
An ex-employee suggests that rising oil prices may eventually force Nintendo to increase the price of the Nintendo Switch hardware. This concern was shared during a podcast discussion with former Nintendo employees.
Rising Oil Prices Are Bad News For Fans Who Still Need A Switch 2
An anonymous ex-Nintendo employee suggests that rising oil prices may force Nintendo to increase the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 hardware. The speculation was shared on a podcast with fellow Nintendo alumni.
Morning Tech Bits
Retailers in Canada and the UK have listed AMD's upcoming Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 processor with a price point around $1,000. Separately, a PlayStation 3 emulator has achieved a performance breakthrough related to its Cell CPU.
Former Nintendo sales lead believes Switch 2 price will inevitably go up
A former Nintendo employee believes the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 will inevitably increase due to global economic factors like inflation, tariffs, and rising costs for components such as memory and helium. He suggests that Nintendo might be using software pricing strategies to make a potential hardware price hike more acceptable to consumers.
Why A Switch 2 Price Increase May Be "Inevitable"
A former Nintendo retail lead believes a price increase for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is inevitable due to rising costs of components and global inflation. Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa has not ruled out the possibility, and recent price hikes for Sony's PlayStation hardware are cited as precedent. The article suggests that Nintendo may use lower software prices to offset consumer backlash to a potential hardware price increase.
Evening Tech Bits
Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake Refresh CPUs may face significant price increases, potentially making them less accessible for gamers. Meanwhile, Apple is reportedly preparing to launch four new products.