When the Steam Machine was first introduced in November 2025, Valve informed me {that a} PC model of the console would launch within the first quarter of 2026. Nonetheless, the state of affairs could now be extra difficult.
Valve printed a weblog publish saying, “We had deliberate to share particular pricing and launch dates by now.” Nonetheless, with the shortage of AI driving up the value of PC {hardware}, the corporate took slightly longer to finalize pricing and launch dates for Steam Machine and Steam Body.
Valve nonetheless claims it intends to launch Steam Machine within the first half of this 12 months, however this follows AMD’s earnings launch, which additionally hints at an early 2026 launch date. Nonetheless, irrespective of the way you take a look at it, it seems just like the Steam Machine will arrive slightly later than initially anticipated.
When will the steam machine be launched?
Shortly after the Steam Machine was introduced, I attempted to foretell when Valve would launch a mini gaming PC, however that was earlier than the RAM disaster actually began. Again in November, we anticipated Valve to announce a launch date and worth for Steam Machine by the top of January 2026, however apparently that did not occur.
As a substitute, it seems just like the Steam Machine launch has been delayed till Valve finds a concrete worth, even when it is only for a couple of months. Nonetheless, with the RAM market being so unstable proper now, Valve will in all probability maintain off till costs stabilize a bit extra. In any case, this in all probability means Steam Machine may even be dearer.
Valve has been adamant from the start that its upcoming mini PCs can be priced primarily based on PCs with comparable {hardware}. A couple of months in the past, I assumed this is able to convey the Steam Machine worth to round $800. However given the PC pricing in current months, it is simple to think about the subsequent console costing greater than $1,000.
That is all simply hypothesis, and we can’t know the precise Steam Machine launch date or worth till Valve pronounces one thing. Nonetheless, for those who had been wanting ahead to the Steam Machine, you have to be ready for longer wait occasions and better costs.
Jackie Thomas is videogameaddicted’s {Hardware} and Shopping for Guides Editor and the Queen of PC Elements. you may observe her @JackieCobra