Hardware
Ongoing coverage on Hardware.
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Are you prepared to wait until 2027 for a Steam Controller?
Valve has announced that some Steam Controller orders may not be fulfilled until next year. This indicates potential shipping delays for the hardware, impacting customers who have placed orders.
Valve roll out a more detailed timeline for Steam Controller orders, giving you a clearer picture of when you'll hear about your reservation
Valve has implemented a new system to provide customers with estimated delivery windows for Steam Controller orders, addressing high demand. Customers will receive emails with one of three timelines: by September 2026, by December 2026, or in 2027, with further details to follow for the latter group. New orders are currently estimated for 2027.
Valve releases SteamOS 3.8 — and it comes with the biggest hint yet that the Steam Machine is about to arrive
Valve has released SteamOS 3.8, which includes initial support for upcoming Steam Machine hardware, signaling a potential imminent launch. The update also brings general stability tweaks, improved compatibility with Intel and AMD platforms, and enhanced video memory management for discrete GPUs.
Latest official SteamOS update paves the way for Steam Machine with a bunch of new display features and faster patches
Valve has released a new SteamOS update, initially supporting the forthcoming Steam Machine and bringing several improvements for current Steam Deck users. The update enhances OS update speeds, adds support for certain USB racing wheels, and introduces initial support for external HDR and VRR displays. It also includes better scaling for Desktop Mode on TVs and performance tuning for the graphics driver.
Steam Frame battery details emerge, showing hot-swappable system and AA batteries for the controllers
Details from an FCC filing reveal that the upcoming Steam Frame VR headset will feature hot-swappable batteries in an 'Enthusiast kit' and its controllers will use standard AA batteries. The filing also suggests the headset's internal battery may not be user-replaceable, though Valve's instructions are referenced for battery replacement. The Steam Frame is expected to launch this summer, potentially around the same time as the Steam Machine.
PC Gamer magazine's new issue is on sale now: Planet Zoo 2
The latest issue of PC Gamer magazine features world-exclusive access to Frontier Developments' upcoming management sim, Planet Zoo 2, with interviews and insights from seven key developers. The issue also includes features on the best PC first-person shooters, previews of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve and Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, and reviews of Forza Horizon 6 and other titles.
How About a New PS5 SSD Upgrade? That'll Be $3,000
SanDisk has released new 8TB SSDs compatible with the PlayStation 5 and PS5 Pro, with prices reaching up to $2,960. These prices represent a significant increase compared to similar SSDs from less than a year ago, a trend impacting various gaming consoles including Xbox Series X|S and the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Ayaneo is teasing a sequel to its lavish retro handheld, and it feels like a belated GBA 25th anniversary gift
Ayaneo is teasing a successor to its retro handheld, the Pocket Micro 2, which will be 52% larger with improved ergonomics, battery life, and a Qualcomm chipset. While specific details and visuals are scarce, the company hints at a modern remake of a classic handheld, potentially resembling the Game Boy Advance. The device aims to offer enhanced performance for emulation enthusiasts, though its premium pricing may position it above cheaper alternatives.
New Steam Machine benchmark leak hints at imminent launch
A new benchmark leak on Geekbench suggests that Valve's Steam Machine may be nearing its launch. The leak details a device named 'Valve Fremont' running SteamOS with specifications matching the official Steam Machine hardware, including a custom six-core AMD CPU. This leak hints at a potential release window of one to four weeks, though Valve has not officially confirmed the device.
Hardware Reviews
This article provides reviews for various PC hardware components, including the Epomaker TH80 V2 Pro keyboard, the Cooler Master MasterHUB stream deck, and the Asus ProArt PA27USD monitor. The reviews cover different aspects of each product's performance and features.
MSI has listed the official pre-order price of its new Claw gaming handheld and I think you're going to want to sit…
MSI has listed its new Claw handheld gaming PC for pre-order at $1,799, a price point that has surprised many despite earlier leaks. This high cost is attributed to its Intel Arc G3 Extreme processor and substantial memory and storage configurations. The article also notes that other high-powered handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go and ASUS ROG Ally X have also seen significant price increases, making the Steam Deck OLED appear more affordable by comparison.
Talking Point: Starter Pack - What Are Your Nintendo Switch 2 Essentials?
Nintendo Life staff discuss essential games and accessories for the Nintendo Switch, a year after its launch. They highlight key titles like Mario Kart World, Pokémon Pokopia, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, alongside hardware considerations and accessories such as controllers and storage.
Save Nearly 60% Off the Logitech G29 Racing Wheel and Pedal Set, Perfect for Forza Horizon 6 on PC
A refurbished Logitech G29 Racing Wheel and Pedal Set is available at a nearly 60% discount, including a 1-year warranty. This deal is presented as ideal for PC players, particularly those interested in Forza Horizon 6.
The Steam Frame is arriving in the US, suggesting the VR headset's launch isn't far off
Recent import manifests suggest Valve's new VR headset, the Steam Frame, is arriving at US warehouses, indicating a potential summer launch. Shipments from Quanta Computing, which did not work on the Valve Index, point to the Steam Frame as the likely VR device. The article also speculates on the possibility of Steam Deck or Steam Machine resupplies based on other import data.
Phantom Blade: Zero devs couldn't care less about releasing near GTA 6: 'We don't even think of the competition, what matters is how polished the game is'
Phantom Blade: Zero game director Qiwei Liang stated that the game's October 29 release date was not influenced by Grand Theft Auto 6's upcoming launch, emphasizing product quality over competition. The team is focused on optimizing the game for a wide range of hardware, including the Steam Deck, and ensuring it runs well without ray tracing.
Framework delays Laptop 13 Pro shipments by a month
Framework has delayed shipments of its new Laptop 13 Pro by approximately one month. The company cited issues discovered with the haptic touchpad and display during the final stages before mass production as the reason for the postponement.
Xbox Reportedly Planning Big Layoffs For Next Month
Microsoft's Xbox division is reportedly planning significant layoffs after June 30, following statements from new CEO Asha Sharma about the business's financial health. Sharma cited declining revenue, increased hardware component costs, and strategic overextension as reasons for the impending cuts. These layoffs come after a period of studio expansion under previous leadership.
Control Issues
Logitech has released a new mouse that features a foldable design and includes a carrying bag. The peripheral is intended for PC users.
Redditor finds AMD museum piece that once belonged to ex-CEO Rory Read, stashed away in a basement
A Redditor working as an HVAC technician discovered a PC in a customer's basement that appears to be a parting gift for former AMD CEO Rory Read, signed by employees including Lisa Su. The unopened computer, a prebuilt featuring an AMD Radeon R9 285, dates back to around 2014, when Read stepped down. The PC was found in its original packaging, suggesting it was never used.
2026 is shaping up to be one of the worst years ever for new graphics cards as Nvidia's RTX 50 Super Series refresh…
New rumors suggest that Nvidia's RTX 50 Super Series graphics cards, initially rumored for late 2026, have been delayed to early 2027, potentially launching at CES. So far in 2026, only minor revisions like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 GRE and laptop-specific Nvidia RTX 5070 12 GB have been released, with next-generation architectures from both AMD and Nvidia not expected until late 2027 or 2028.
