The Steam Machine’s initial promise of being a powerful small PC gaming device has cooled off since its unveiling. Initially touted as nearly as powerful as the PS5, concerns about pricing have grown. Valve claims the system will be six times more powerful than the Steam Deck OLED and capable of running games at 4K resolution, but worries about cost linger.
The biggest concern is how much the Steam Machine will actually cost. Unlike consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5, which are often sold at a loss to recoup development costs through software sales or subscription services, Valve says the Steam Machine’s hardware will be “more in line with what you might expect from the current PC market.” This means pricing will reflect comparable specs to desktops.
Some analysts estimate the Steam Machine could cost around $700-$1,000, depending on configuration. While this is still an expensive device, some hope that Valve won’t price it out of reach for console players. With frequent Steam sales and potential upgrades, the value proposition remains intact. As the system’s release date looms in Spring 2026, we’ll have to wait and see if Valve successfully balances power with affordability.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/gaming/handheld-gaming/i-was-stoked-for-the-steam-machine-but-this-one-thing-could-be-a-deal-breaker