Valve Software has introduced its latest gaming device, the Steam Machine 2026, starting at a price of $1,049 for the base model. This compact gaming PC, measuring just six inches, is intended for living room use and operates on SteamOS, similar to the Steam Deck.
The company, based in Bellevue, Washington, has acknowledged that the pricing is influenced by the ongoing global shortages of PC components, particularly SSDs and RAM. A more advanced version with a 2TB drive is available for $1,349. Both models come equipped with semi-custom AMD CPUs and GPUs, along with 16 GB of RAM, Bluetooth capability, and a MicroSD card slot.
Valve addressed potential customer concerns in a blog post, noting that component availability directly impacts pricing. The device features a customizable LED panel on the front that can be used for various functions or turned off.
This launch reflects the challenges faced by the gaming industry amid supply chain issues, which have also affected the pricing of existing gaming consoles.