Just like that, gaming giant Valve has announced three new pieces of hardware scheduled for 2026, including the Steam Machine, a console-like PC designed to plug into a TV. Not to be confused with the 2015 device of the same name, it’s a very different-looking beast.
Flanked by the new Steam Controller and the Steam Frame VR headset, the cube-shaped PC is reportedly six times more powerful than the Steam Deck handheld device. It’s powered by an AMD CPU and GPU with 16GB of RAM and either 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD storage options.
Curiously, the Steam Machine only has 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. That’s less than what the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have, with both consoles targeting 4K visuals at up to 120fps.
Admittedly, Valve’s qualification is that its device targets “4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR”. In other words, it’s relying on AMD’s FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling technology to fill in the gaps.
Like the Steam Deck, Valve will designate games on its digital storefront that are verified to run smoothly on the new hardware. Alongside the ‘Deck Verified’ disclaimer on a game’s store page, Valve will also add a ‘Steam Machine verified’ symbol. Microsoft recently commenced its own game verification program, coinciding with the ROG Xbox Ally X launch, but it usually still requires some settings tweaks to get the best performance.
Shipping with the device is the Steam Controller, which looks like a standard gamepad with a pair of trackpads below the magnetic control sticks. Then there’s also the Steam Frame, a VR gaming headset designed to pair wirelessly with Valve’s other devices via a 6GHz dongle.
Steam Machine price is still in the air
As reported by independent games publication Sifter, Valve confirmed that its plan is to “start shipping in early 2026, with specific launch timing and pricing to be shared after the first of the year.” Which is a very roundabout way of saying ‘expect more details in January’. Australia is one of the countries set to get the new hardware at launch.
With no confirmed price for Valve’s three new devices, there’s only speculation to fill the void. Viewing the Steam Machine in particular as a gaming console competitor, $749 is the benchmark for a digital-only console in Australia. That’s how much the digital PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles currently cost locally.
Both Sony’s and Microsoft’s consoles are primarily 4K gaming machines, which is how Valve positions the Steam Machine. However, its internals — especially the relatively low GPU memory —suggest more of a 1080p device. Some games might run in 4K, but not necessarily the latest and greatest games, at least at 60fps.
With that considered, the Steam Machine arguably stands its best chance at succeeding by coming in at a lower price than the established gaming consoles. Valve might be uniquely positioned to take an aggressive pricing approach; it handles its own distribution in Australia, bypassing retailers and other third-party costs.
At this stage, it’ll likely be less than two months until Valve locks in all the details on its latest hardware.
Apropos of nothing, I’m spending the rest of the morning listening to Daft Punk.
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