Hardware Shortages
Ongoing coverage on Hardware Shortages.
Latest coverage
If You Haven’t Reserved A Steam Controller Yet, You’ll Have To Wait Until Next Year
Due to overwhelming demand, new reservations for Valve's Steam Controller will not be fulfilled until at least 2027. Valve has stated they have no plans to stop production but the response has exceeded expectations. The company is providing estimated delivery windows for existing orders, with new orders facing significant delays.
Xbox admits consoles are becoming unaffordable and hints at 'new business model'
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has indicated that the company is exploring new business models for future consoles due to the current hardware crisis and rising component costs. She suggested that the next Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, may move away from a purely premium, high-performance focus to ensure affordability for a wider audience, potentially through flexible storage options or different pricing strategies.
Steam Machine is coming this summer, Valve confirms, but its lack of pricing has me raising an eyebrow as hardware…
Valve has confirmed that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will begin shipping this summer, though pricing details remain unannounced. The delay was attributed to ongoing memory chip shortages, which have also impacted pricing for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch consoles. Valve is also expanding its Steam Deck Verified program to include the Steam Machine and Steam Frame.
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.
The Steam Deck OLED's price hikes have killed its status as the best deal in PC games hardware
The Steam Deck OLED has seen significant price increases due to ongoing component shortages and global logistical challenges. The 512GB model now costs $789 and the 1TB model is priced at $949, making it less competitive against rivals like the ASUS ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go.
Valve might be making 512GB and 2TB versions of its new Steam Machine, despite AI-driven memory shortages
Valve may be planning 512GB and 2TB versions of its Steam Machine, according to a recent Steam software update. This comes despite ongoing AI-driven memory shortages impacting component prices and availability, which have already affected Steam Deck supplies. The potential new storage options align with Valve's previously stated desire for multiple Steam Machine configurations.
Nintendo Stock Continues To Dive Following Low Switch 2 Sales Predictions
Nintendo's stock price has fallen nearly 8%, reaching a two-year low, due to investor concerns over pessimistic sales predictions for the Switch 2's second year. The company cited hardware shortages and market pressures, despite exceeding initial sales forecasts for the console's first year. Analysts are questioning Nintendo's confidence in its software pipeline and the console's future momentum, especially with an upcoming price increase.
A Global Tech Shortage Causes A Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 by $50 USD to $500 USD starting September 1 due to a global RAM shortage impacting the tech industry. This price hike follows similar adjustments by Sony for the PlayStation line and potential increases for Xbox Series X|S. The shortage is driven by high demand for AI data centers, affecting components like RAM and SSDs.
Valve tackles "incredibly frustrating" sold-out Steam Controller shortage with new reservation system
Valve has introduced a reservation system for the Steam Controller to address stock shortages and combat reseller activity. The system allows users to reserve a place in line for when the controller is back in stock, with limitations to prevent scalping. This move comes after significant customer frustration over the initial sell-out of the newly released controller.
PS5 sales expected to decline due to generative AI memory drought and rising prices
Sony predicts a decrease in PlayStation 5 hardware sales for the next fiscal year, citing memory procurement challenges due to the rise of generative AI. This shortage is also impacting other platforms like the Steam Deck and has led to price increases for gaming hardware. Despite hardware sales concerns, Sony anticipates an increase in first-party game sales.
PS6 Release Date And Price Are Still Up In The Air, Sony Says
Sony has not yet determined the release date or pricing for the PlayStation 6, with CEO Hiroki Totoki citing concerns over high component costs and global shortages. The company is exploring cost-reduction strategies and business model changes, while an industry analyst predicts a potential 2028 launch. Despite a loss related to Bungie, Sony's gaming operating income has risen.
Valve breaks down the issues causing Steam Machine launch delay
Valve has announced that the launch of the Steam Machine, a compact gaming PC running SteamOS, has been delayed due to ongoing hardware shortages, specifically RAM and SSDs. Valve UX designer Lawrence Yang cited these issues, along with price hikes, as significant obstacles. Despite the delays, rumors suggest a potential summer launch, and Valve has other hardware releases planned for the year, including the Steam Controller and Steam Frame VR headset.
Steam Machine’s Price Has “Skyrocketed” From Valve’s Targets Due to RAM Shortage – Rumor
Valve's Steam Machine hardware is reportedly facing significantly higher prices than initially planned due to global RAM shortages, according to leaker Brad Lynch. While Valve has confirmed the Steam Controller's price and release date, details for the Steam Machine remain scarce, though the company maintains its goal to launch all devices in the first half of the year.
Evening Tech Bits
Reports indicate that the price of Steam hardware, such as the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, has significantly increased internally due to a RAM shortage. Separately, the text editor Notepad++ has been made available on macOS.
'This doesn't have RAM in it, and it's not as complicated to start getting out the door for us' — Valve confirms it's releasing the Steam Controller before the Steam Machine in response to RAM crisis, but originally saw 'no need' to ship them together
Valve has announced that the Steam Controller will launch on May 4, 2026, for $99, preceding the Steam Machine due to ongoing RAM and storage shortages. Hardware engineer Steve Cardinali explained that the controller's lack of RAM makes it easier to release sooner, and Valve never intended to launch all hardware simultaneously. The company aims to ship all three products within the first half of the year.
Xbox boss warns "memory costs will impact pricing, will impact availability" when it comes to Project Helix
Xbox boss Asha Sharma acknowledged that the ongoing memory shortage crisis will impact the pricing and availability of its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix. Sharma stated that Microsoft is considering these factors as part of its equation to ensure accessibility for players. The crisis, exacerbated by AI data centers consuming large amounts of memory, is reportedly causing Sony to consider delaying its own next-generation console rollout.
AI Yi-Yi!
The increasing demand for AI workloads is causing significant shortages and price increases for CPUs. Separately, a series of errors led to unauthorized users gaining access to Anthropic's Claude Mythos model.
Next-Gen Xbox Impacted By Memory Crisis, New CEO Admits
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma admitted that memory shortages are impacting the development and pricing of the next-generation Xbox console, codenamed Project Helix. The demand for memory chips is high due to AI industry investments, creating competition for resources with Microsoft's own AI initiatives. While development kits will be sent out in early 2027, a specific release date for the console has not yet been announced.
The next Mac Studio and MacBook Pro releases could be postponed by several months
Apple's upcoming releases of the Mac Studio and MacBook Pro may be delayed by several months due to a global memory shortage. The Mac Studio, previously expected mid-year, is now predicted for an October release, while the touchscreen MacBook Pro's timeline has shifted towards late 2026 or early 2027. The shortages are impacting various tech companies, though Apple's recent MacBook Neo release was successful.
PlayStation 5 sees massive sales spike in the US, beating 2026 records so far as eager consumers rush to beat RAM crisis price hikes
US sales of the PlayStation 5 surged following Sony's announcement of upcoming price increases due to global economic pressures and component shortages. The spike in sales for the week ending April 4th has surpassed the rest of the year's sales so far. These pressures are also impacting other hardware markets, including PC RAM and potentially delaying the PlayStation 6.
