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Steam Machine: Valve's Quiet Launch Looms
5 Feb
Summary
- AMD suggests Steam Machine will ship early this year.
- Valve keeps price secret, likely due to rising component costs.
- Steam Machine offers PC performance with living room convenience.
AMD has indicated that Valve's Steam Machine is on track for an early 2026 shipment. Valve has not yet confirmed a release window or pricing for its anticipated gaming hardware. The device is designed as a mid-level gaming PC, aiming for accessibility and a sleek design, running on SteamOS.
Valve representatives suggest the Steam Machine's performance rivals over 70% of gaming PCs. Pricing is expected to align with building a comparable PC from parts, potentially exceeding $750. Valve stresses that the machine is not subsidized and aims to offer competitive value, highlighting unique features like small form factor, quiet operation, and seamless integration with living room entertainment systems.
Features such as HDMI CEC control, robust Bluetooth connectivity, and the ability to power on from a controller are touted as significant benefits. Valve designer Lawrence Yang noted the convenience for users no longer wishing to build their own PCs. Concerns have been raised about Valve not subsidizing the hardware to boost Steam platform adoption.
