Valve just dropped pricing and reservation details for the Steam Machine, shedding new light on its long-awaited return to the gaming market. The company confirmed that the Steam Machine will launch on June 29, with reservations opening through a randomized selection process beginning June 25.
The Linux-based gaming system will start at US$1,049 for the 512GB model, while a 2TB version will retail for US$1,349, positioning the device well above the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X in terms of price.
Valve said the higher pricing reflects its decision not to subsidize hardware costs, a strategy commonly used by traditional console manufacturers. Instead, the company argues that selling hardware at or near cost helps preserve the openness and flexibility associated with PC gaming. According to Valve, subsidized hardware often encourages closed ecosystems that limit consumer choice.
Source: GamesIndustry.biz
The company also revealed that component shortages continue to affect production, particularly in the memory market. Valve engineers described ongoing negotiations with suppliers as increasingly difficult, noting that volatile RAM pricing contributed to delays and forced adjustments to launch plans. Limited component availability has also reduced the number of systems Valve expects to have available at launch.
Alongside the pricing announcement, Valve introduced SteamOS 3.8.10, a major update that expands support for custom desktop hardware. The update allows users to build their own Steam Machine-style gaming PCs using a broader range of AMD and Intel components, while Valve continues working to improve compatibility with Nvidia graphics cards.
For more information, check out the official website.