Valve just release a news update where they answer some of the most asked questions regarding their newly announced hardware, with those being the Steam Machine, Steam Frame and Steam Controller, which were unveiled just some months ago, back in November 12th, 2025.

In this news report, they answer some of the most critical questions that many interested customers had regarding their hardware, with the most important being how much will the hardware cost and when will it release? To which, Valve responded with the following statement:

When we announced these products in November, we planned on being able to share specific pricing and launch dates by now. But the memory and storage shortages you've likely heard about across the industry have rapidly increased since then. The limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing (especially around Steam Machine and Steam Frame).

Our goal of shipping all three products in the first half of the year has not changed. But we have work to do to land on concrete pricing and launch dates that we can confidently announce, being mindful of how quickly the circumstances around both of those things can change. We will keep you updated as much as we can as we finalize those plans as soon as possible.

As many theorized, the fast-changing and increasing prices of RAM, GPU and SSD's due to AI demand has been a detriment to the release date and prices that Valve had planned for all their 3 hardware products this year, much more so with the prices hiking just a bare days after Valve's original announcement back in November.

Still, despite the dreaded technology landscape at the moment, Valve is still committed to releasing their hardware during the first half of 2026, albeit with no given date as of yet.

Additionally, Valve also took the opportunity to answer some questions regarding technical details of their hardware, like the Steam Frame having a built-in internet browser, from which players can use other stream services through a browser theatrical mode, the Steam Machine being able to play many titles at 4k 60fps, although specifying that some heavy titles might require upscaling to hit a playable 1080p target, and the SSD and DDRAM5 of the Steam Machine being modifiable/upgradable on release.

There's more detailed information in the news blog post that Valve released today, for those interested in the full read of the article.

Source

 

[SeltzerMist]

Anything higher than 700 is doa. Timing couldn't be more of a b... Shame, was really looking forward to grabbing one. Highly doubt they will sell the thing at a loss if components remain this pricy.

The lower storage model at least needs to be equal to the current price of the series X to be competitive IMO

 

[Xzi]

Anything higher than 700 is doa. Timing couldn't be more of a b... Shame, was really looking forward to grabbing one. Highly doubt they will sell the thing at a loss if components remain this pricy.

Nah they were never gonna sell it at a loss, but Valve will play the long game and drop the price when RAM and GPU supply chains stabilize again. In the meantime, Steam Deck will remain the more affordable option, and I'm sure the new Steam controller will be very popular.

 

[subcon959]

It's a shame they didn't manage to get it out a bit quicker as it could've helped a lot of people looking to get into PC gaming right now and getting shafted by costs and availability.

 

[Xzi]

It's a shame they didn't manage to get it out a bit quicker as it could've helped a lot of people looking to get into PC gaming right now and getting shafted by costs and availability.

Yeah, obviously no one could've predicted the AI bubble would become so overinflated so quickly though. All just speculation in the hopes that AGI can be achieved, which isn't a guarantee, and even if it does happen there's no guarantee it does anything useful in service of humanity.

 

[tech3475]

It's a shame they didn't manage to get it out a bit quicker as it could've helped a lot of people looking to get into PC gaming right now and getting shafted by costs and availability.

TBH I think Valve would be better off just working on making Steam OS a mass market distro than the Steam Machine.

Even before the AI shortages, they said it wasn't going to be priced like a console but a PC, by which point it starts to feel like Steam Machine 1.0 again and people may be better of just looking at a regular desktop or laptop.

I attribute the Steam Deck's success due to it's price as much as it's form factor.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

sounds like valve is going to announce a delay in June

They just did.
"Early 2026" my ass.

Post automatically merged: Feb 7, 2026

That is called DDOS. From what I've heard, you can actualy subscribe to "shaddy services", where you would "lend" your PC to DDOS a website/server when you are not using it. This is, of course, illegal and can only be found on the dark web.
Also, sending prompt to nearly any online AI tool requires subscription for limited daily/monthly use. Option B will most likely fail, since DDOSing those would not only require even more PCs working together to have any effect, but also, require insane preparation in order to launch the DDOS attack.

No, that's just a DoS.

You'd definitely be lending your PC to more than just that, and not just when you're not using it.

Post automatically merged: Feb 7, 2026

If they launch above 800 euros, is more than certain to be DOA.

Unless people do have a lot of money to spend. I know i don't :/

I'm not sure which device you're talking about. Frame or Machine?
Steam Machine will launch for around that for the lower spec version, if leaks are to be believed (personally I believe them), the higher spec version is closer to 1000 (VAT included)
Steam Frame will almost certainly cost around $1000, like the Valve Index. There is so much tech that goes into a VR headset not to mention the R&D costs, and even more so with standalone VR. They can't afford to sell it for much less.

TBH I think Valve would be better off just working on making Steam OS a mass market distro than the Steam Machine.

Even before the AI shortages, they said it wasn't going to be priced like a console but a PC, by which point it starts to feel like Steam Machine 1.0 again and people may be better of just looking at a regular desktop or laptop.

I attribute the Steam Deck's success due to it's price as much as it's form factor.

They are. I believe these are the last Valve devices we'll see for a very long time. Valve creates a new market where they see an opportunity and then leave the rest to 3rd parties. It's what they've always done.

Honestly I have to agree with you. I dont see people looking at the price and choosing it over a Quest 3 currently. Most people that buy them are either parents looking for a VR headset for their kid or people that really don't care how shitty Meta is. $500-$600 for a Quest 3 is way more appealing than $1000+ for a Steam Frame. Yea there will be some that buy the Frame no matter what, but a lot of people will just wait.

I don't think we can really blame Valve for waiting things out. Nor could I blame them for pushing the price up for the cost of the hardware. We really should be blaming AI and the companies that shovel and burn so much money into this shit. The cost of a lot of tech is going up because of this garbage being pushed and its crazy that companies keep feeding it just to pass money around.

Valve doesn't want casual users that are never going to buy games. They're a software company. What they want is returning customers. Most Quest headsets just gather dust so I don't think they're very concerned about capturing that market.

Also, Valve aren't in the business of throwing money out the window like Meta is. Remind me again how much money they've thrown at Horizon Worlds for no real benefit?

So far, I've seen way more legitimate interest in the Steam Frame from gamers than I ever did about the Quest. The Quest was always more like "ugh, I want VR, but I hate Facebook, but this seems like the best deal". People are legitimately excited for the Steam Frame. Both people who don't have VR yet and people who haven't used it in a long time and still have a Index (or Vive, or Rift). And those people are more likely to spend money on Steam.

 

[eriols]

sold my steam deck this year. I loved it but the novelty didn't last long. I bought a laptop with RTX 4090 GPU and ever since then I didn't touch my SD anymore. those portable gaming handhelds are cool if you cannot afford a serious gaming rig, but once you get a good gaming pc, they become redundant.

 

[tech3475]

sold my steam deck this year. I loved it but the novelty didn't last long. I bought a laptop with RTX 4090 GPU and ever since then I didn't touch my SD anymore. those portable gaming handhelds are cool if you cannot afford a serious gaming rig, but once you get a good gaming pc, they become redundant.

I disagree, I use mine as a compliment to my gaming desktop/laptop, using it for situations where I want a more portable/handheld gaming system.

 

[Noctosphere]

I disagree, I use mine as a compliment to my gaming desktop/laptop, using it for situations where I want a more portable/handheld gaming system.

I kinda built my own portable rig. I bought an 8-inches tablet (a kinda cheap one, but one that still does the job), and a gaming tablet controller. Now, all I had to do was linking it to my PC with sunshine/moonlight, and now, I can stream my video game on my tablet and play freely.
Of course, I stay at home when doing this. I don't do it outside my network, but I can still play in bed, on the couch, or some classic toilet-gaming. This rig costed around 150CAD, so maybe around 100-120USD. I didn't need anything more^^
(BTW, before you guys point to the fact that I can't bring my games with me outside my home, well, no, of course I can't. It doesn't bother me. Plus, portability today is not what I would call "portability". Back then, you could bring your gameboy with you and it would fit in your pocket. Same goes with the NDS and 3DS. Today, with the Switch or the Steam Deck, I would definitely not call these "portable". Handheld, yes, but clearly not portable. You need a strapbag to bring one with you in the bus or the metro. Anyway, all I wanted to say is, when I go outside, I don't bring my video games with me. Just my cellphone, some earplugs, and some video games musics)

 

[tech3475]

I kinda built my own portable rig. I bought an 8-inches tablet (a kinda cheap one, but one that still does the job), and a gaming tablet controller. Now, all I had to do was linking it to my PC with sunshine/moonlight, and now, I can stream my video game on my tablet and play freely.
Of course, I stay at home when doing this. I don't do it outside my network, but I can still play in bed, on the couch, or some classic toilet-gaming. This rig costed around 150CAD, so maybe around 100-120USD. I didn't need anything more^^
(BTW, before you guys point to the fact that I can't bring my games with me outside my home, well, no, of course I can't. It doesn't bother me. Plus, portability today is not what I would call "portability". Back then, you could bring your gameboy with you and it would fit in your pocket. Same goes with the NDS and 3DS. Today, with the Switch or the Steam Deck, I would definitely not call these "portable". Handheld, yes, but clearly not portable. You need a strapbag to bring one with you in the bus or the metro. Anyway, all I wanted to say is, when I go outside, I don't bring my video games with me. Just my cellphone, some earplugs, and some video games musics)

This is where you and I differ, last I used my Steam Deck it was away from the home when I was on holiday with hotel wifi, not suitable for streaming games.

I couldn't even bring my gaming laptop with me due to size/weight restrictions, but I could bring my Steam Deck.

 

[Noctosphere]

This is where you and I differ, last I used my Steam Deck it was away from the home when I was on holiday with hotel wifi, not suitable for streaming games.

I couldn't even bring my gaming laptop with me due to size/weight restrictions, but I could bring my Steam Deck.

Last time I went on a trip far away from home, I sure didn't bring any video games. If I'm on a trip, I will usually enjoy the trip and not play video games like I always do at home. A trip is usually to do something new/unusual.
Unless you are someone who is always on the road (usually for job), then I can totally understand having a Steam Deck. But otherwise, I just don't see why anyone would buy this and call it "portable" or "complementary" gaming PC.

 

[tech3475]

Last time I went on a trip far away from home, I sure didn't bring any video games. If I'm on a trip, I will usually enjoy the trip and not play video games like I always do at home. A trip is usually to do something new/unusual.
Unless you are someone who is always on the road (usually for job), then I can totally understand having a Steam Deck. But otherwise, I just don't see why anyone would buy this and call it "portable" or "complementary" gaming PC.

Whenever I'm on holiday, there will usually be time when we're relaxing in the room or stuck due to bad weather, this will be the time I play video games if at all. Plus being handheld it means I can sit on the sofa more comfortably whilst other family members watch morning news or whatever on the TV.

And to me a holiday doesn't just have to be "new/unusual", it can be just going somewhere to relax.

I also use my Steam Deck for other things e.g. Sky Go (can't be used (easily) with e.g. Fire Stick, Mobile HDMI out, etc.).

Overall the value of the Steam Deck I'd say comes down to what you want it for, in your case clearly there's no value but to me and clearly many others, there is, even if it's use cases you don't agree with.

 

[Arecaidian Fox]

Whenever I'm on holiday, there will usually be time when we're relaxing in the room or stuck due to bad weather, this will be the time I play video games if at all. Plus being handheld it means I can sit on the sofa more comfortably whilst other family members watch morning news or whatever on the TV.

And to me a holiday doesn't just have to be "new/unusual", it can be just going somewhere to relax.

I also use my Steam Deck for other things e.g. Sky Go (can't be used (easily) with e.g. Fire Stick, Mobile HDMI out, etc.).

Overall the value of the Steam Deck I'd say comes down to what you want it for, in your case clearly there's no value but to me and clearly many others, there is, even if it's use cases you don't agree with.

Pretty much mirrors my use cases and reasoning for the Deck as well. I'll also add that when the CPU cooler on my PC died the other month, some delivery shenanigans meant I was waiting for over a week before I could use my rig again. The SD was a lifesaver, both for playing some singleplayer and multiplayer games and just the ability to use it as a computer in general.

 

[Lumpofcoal]

Analaysts have predicted that the ram/nand prices will grow by an order of magnitude in the coming years. Ironically, this would mean that the longer valve waits, the more out of reach their desired prices will become.

Even if they were to somehow land a hardware contract at their desired prices, I don't think it will be a long-term one. That would mean that they would have to raise prices shortly (maybe every half year) after release. Despite steam being a giant in digital gaming, it's still a very small player when taking into account who they have to compete with for those hardware. Even the bigger players are on short-term contracts as well.

I could see them postponing to 2030 (hopefully the AI bubble has popped by then) even.

 

[Nightwish]

I wonder which of the following two methods would make the bubble pop faster:
A - avoiding AI altogether or
B - setting up a small PC that sends prompts to their servers constantly, increasing their traffic without any actual engagement in return

Ironically, C, use it as a normal person that doesn't buy credits, wasting them a bigger amount of money that they will soon not be able to find anywhere. Although it's probably D, subscribe to a reasonable plan and milk the subscription for everything to speed up the clock, because none of them are close or will ever be close to being profitable.

 

[Axido]

Ironically, C, use it as a normal person that doesn't buy credits, wasting them a bigger amount of money that they will soon not be able to find anywhere. Although it's probably D, subscribe to a reasonable plan and milk the subscription for everything to speed up the clock, because none of them are close or will ever be close to being profitable.

Option B is already an automated version of what you call option C. In a best case scenario you would just have a middle man software that forwards messages between two LLM servers, which then talk to each other for all eternity without any real human ever reading a single word of the output.

D is an interesting thought, but i don't know if I would want to pump any of my hard-earned money into this. Also, most companies already put limitations in place, even for paying customers. This still doesn't make AI profitable by any means, but it also limits the amount of damage that can be done compared to a full-on flat rate. It also bears the risk that this will prolong the inevitable by generating a little bit of cashflow in addition to some numbers AI companies can boast. Option B might have less impact on their electricity bills, but it also sends the message that nobody wants to pay for their slop.

 

[SuffahBish]

GOG is porting Galaxy to Linux and called Linux the future of gaming too. Linux bros. Our time is now.

 

[Skv0ra]

They would if AI wasnt fucking ram and storage prices. Its probably fucking the prices of all hardware atp. Right now It would probably cost $1000-$1200 and they probably dont want to say that and piss a bunch of people off.

There was some EU shop leak that basically put it at around 1k, so that's DOA than anything else.

Take a PS5, that this still punches under overall, and if it costs a hay-penny less then it's DOA that's not Xtreme Beach Volleyball. And if, and likely it will, be 1200 - I'd rather get a upper-mid-range pre-built that will pull much harder than the Gabecube ever will with plenty of room for future upgrades.

Deck did good because for only $100 more than Swatch, it delivered above and beyond of that Swatch ever was designed to do, but even then it was mostly us hardcore PC nerds who got it as a secondary dust-collecting thing or a very, very poor man's upgrade to whatever baked potato excuse of a 2-decade old PC we were using. Cube gonna compete in a league that's over-saturated with better products out of the gate.

 

[Skelletonike]

I'm more interested in the controller tbh, while this seemed promising, the price will most most definitely be too much.

 

[samcambolt270]

I just want the controller T_T I dont give a shit about that other crap. Release the controller!