Hardware Pricing
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Pricing.
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Valve see the great RAM shortage "getting worse," just in case you were clinging to hopes of a cheaper Steam Machine
Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais state that the global RAM shortage is worsening, with retail supply lagging behind bulk supply by three to six months. This ongoing shortage, exacerbated by demand from AI data centers, is contributing to increased hardware prices and is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.
The Steam Machine's $1,000+ price tag is unlikely to come down anytime soon as Valve says the memory crisis is…
Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat stated that the memory chip crisis is worsening, impacting the production and pricing of the Steam Machine. He noted a significant lag between bulk supply observations and retail availability, with prices expected to remain high. The shortage is also limiting Valve's production capacity for the device.
Sky-high prices risk disaster for a console market struggling to grow | Opinion
The article analyzes the long-term risks of the current hardware pricing crisis in the console market, predicting a significant slump in unit sales over the next five years. It argues that this could lead to market stagnation and a failure to engage younger audiences, potentially jeopardizing the future of consoles as a primary gaming platform.
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D chip is now available for $329
The AMD Ryzen 7 7700X3D processor is now available for purchase at a reduced price of $329. This offers a competitive option for consumers seeking reasonable specifications at an affordable cost.
The age of accessible Meta Quest prices could be coming to an end as rumors swirl about the Quest 4
Rumors suggest that the upcoming Meta Quest 4 headset could represent a significant upgrade over the current generation. This potential advancement may lead to an end to the accessible pricing that has characterized previous Meta Quest models.
GTA 6 won't help console sales says analysts as demand predicted to drop by 20%
Despite the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, analysts predict a significant drop in console sales for 2026 and further decline in 2027. S&P Global Market Intelligence forecasts sales to fall to 33.9 million units by the end of 2026, down from 42.1 million in 2025, citing high prices, component shortages, and a lack of major releases as key factors.
The first wave of Steam Machines are dropping. Here's what people think.
The initial reception for Valve's Steam Machine has been mixed, with early adopters noting its high price point compared to traditional consoles due to recent hardware inflation. While some users praise its ability to run PC games and quiet operation, others, including Shuhei Yoshida, have expressed concerns about long game boot times and overall performance. Reports of hardware failures, such as GPU issues leading to bricked units, have also surfaced, drawing parallels to the Xbox 360's 'Red-Ring of Death'.
Intel quietly bumps the price up of the best CPUs it's made in years to 'reflect current market dynamics'
Intel has quietly increased the recommended retail prices for its Core Ultra 200S Plus processors, including the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core 5 250K Plus. The company cited 'current market dynamics,' rising supply chain costs, and strong demand as reasons for the price adjustments, which range from $20 to $40.
What kind of PS6 could justify a $1,000 price tag? | Opinion
The article speculates on how Sony could justify a potential $1,000 price tag for the PlayStation 6, suggesting a significant departure from current-gen hardware is necessary. It explores the challenges posed by rising component costs and the potential shift towards a digital-only, possibly more portable, console design, referencing the discontinuation of physical game sales and the success of the PlayStation Portal.
Playstation 6 blir troligtvis en kostsam historia
Sony's CEO Hideaki Nishino indicated that the company does not intend to sell the PlayStation 6 at a significant loss, suggesting a higher price point than previous generations. This follows reports of high component costs for the console and Sony's recent price increases for the PlayStation 5, which have not impacted demand. Sony is also investing in AI and cloud gaming to expand its future platform offerings.
No more selling PlayStation hardware at "significant" loss, says Sony, as everyone braces for a PS6 console that costs over $1,000
Sony executives, including Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Hideaki Nishino, have indicated that the company will no longer absorb significant losses from PlayStation hardware manufacturing. This suggests future consoles, like the anticipated PlayStation 6, may have higher price points to cover increased component costs. Despite recent sales declines, Sony believes price increases have not deterred customer demand.
Brace yourselves, Sony is already making PS6 sound terrifyingly expensive
Sony has indicated that the PlayStation 6 is unlikely to be heavily subsidized, suggesting a potentially high launch price due to rising component costs. The company stated it does not intend to sell hardware at significant losses, implying consumers may bear the brunt of increased expenses. This follows recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5 and suggests a trend towards more expensive console generations.
PlayStation 6 Price Won’t Be Easy on the Wallet, Sony Confirms
Sony Interactive Entertainment has indicated that the PlayStation 6 will not be sold at a significant loss, suggesting a high price point for consumers. The company noted that recent price increases on PlayStation 5 hardware have not negatively impacted demand. Sony also mentioned plans to tailor product offerings for different customer needs, hinting at a next-generation portable device.
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Switch 2 in South Korea
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Switch 2 in South Korea by approximately 15 percent, raising the suggested retail price to 758,000 won starting September 1, 2026. The company cited changes in market conditions, including a memory crisis and rising oil prices, as reasons for the adjustment. This follows similar price hikes implemented earlier in Japan, Europe, Canada, and the United States.
Valve Engineers Keen on Steam Machine Price Drop But Warn Not to Expect It “Anytime Soon”
Valve engineers Pierre-Loup Griffais and Yazan Aldehayyat have expressed a desire to lower the price of the Steam Machine, but caution that it is unlikely to happen soon due to current hardware and storage costs. They acknowledge that the high price point is counterproductive to the device's goal of reaching a wider audience. Reservations for the first batch have ended, with shipments beginning on June 29th.
On Steam Machine, Valve engineers say "the cheaper the better," but a price drop is unlikely "any time…
Valve engineers acknowledge that while they prefer lower prices for the Steam Machine, a price drop is unlikely in the near future due to ongoing high hardware component costs, particularly memory. Despite the entry-level model costing $1049, Valve believes it offers value as an enabler for gaming experiences.
PlayStation 5 sales keep plummeting as hardware prices show no sign of dropping
PlayStation 5 hardware sales are reportedly declining, with no immediate signs of price reductions to stimulate demand. The article suggests a continued downward trend in console sales.
Both PS5 and Xbox Series X sales were down in May
Sales for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X experienced significant drops in May, with Sony seeing a 58 percent decrease in units sold and Xbox Series X units falling 12 percent. Despite overall hardware spending growing seven percent year-over-year due to price increases, the Nintendo Switch continued to perform well, offsetting the declines of the other consoles.
Valve can afford a niche, pricey hardware launch; Sony and Microsoft can’t
The article analyzes the impact of rising hardware component prices on the video game industry, particularly for console manufacturers like Sony and Microsoft. While Valve's Steam Machine can find a niche despite its high price, Sony and Microsoft face greater risks if their next-generation consoles are priced out of the mass market due to these ongoing supply chain and pricing issues.
Commodore has dropped the price of its retro phone by $100 ahead of preorders
Commodore has announced a $100 price reduction for its retro phone just ahead of its preorder window. This price adjustment aims to make the device more accessible as preorders are set to begin.