After months of anticipation, Valve has announced the pricing and availability for its Steam Machine. The compact gaming PC starts at $1049 for the 512GB version, a price point that may challenge the budgets of many prospective buyers. Reservations are now open on Steam.
The base $1049 configuration includes 512GB of storage but does not come with the Steam Controller. For those who wish to bundle Valve's controller, a package is available for $1128, effectively pricing the controller at $79 compared to its standalone $99 cost.
Storage options extend to a 2TB model, priced at $1349 for the machine alone or $1428 when bundled with the Steam Controller. The higher-end 2TB model includes two additional faceplates for customization.
These prices represent a significant increase from initial projections. Early speculation suggested a price range of $700-$800, but escalating costs for PC components, particularly RAM, over the past six months have contributed to the final retail price. Compared to current-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the Steam Machine's starting price is considerably higher.
However, when positioned against other mini gaming PCs with similar performance capabilities, the Steam Machine's $1049 price becomes more competitive. These specialized compact PCs often carry a higher cost than Valve's offering.
To manage demand and combat scalpers, Valve has implemented a randomized reservation queue system, a departure from the immediate purchase models seen with the Steam Controller and Steam Deck. Interested buyers can sign up for their desired Steam Machine configuration between now and June 25 to be entered into the first wave of invitations. Valve will then randomize the order of entrants to determine reservation priority. Those selected will receive an email allowing them to purchase the device, while others will be placed on a waitlist.
Valve has acknowledged that component shortages, particularly RAM, have impacted availability. The company stated that the reservation system is intended to prevent the need for constant page refreshing and to mitigate the influence of bots and scalpers. Those not making it into the initial reservation window by June 25 will be added to the end of the waitlist.