Valve has officially opened reservations for its new Steam Machine, bringing the once-abandoned brand back from the dead. If you’re experiencing a bit of déjà vu, you’re not alone. Steam Machines first appeared more than a decade ago as an attempt to bring PC gaming into the living room. That effort never really caught on, but Valve is trying again with a much more refined vision built around SteamOS.
The new hardware is available in four configurations. The entry-level Steam Machine with 512GB of storage costs $1,049, while a bundle that includes the Steam Controller runs $1,128. Those wanting more storage can step up to a 2TB model for $1,349 or spend $1,428 for the 2TB bundle. The higher-end versions also include additional faceplates, including a walnut option that looks particularly sharp.
I’ll admit I was hoping the starting price would come in below $1,000. Psychologically, that four-figure barrier matters to a lot of people. Even so, after looking at the hardware market and the realities of component costs, I don’t think Valve’s pricing is absurd. Expensive? Sure. Outrageous? Not really.
Valve says the company originally expected hardware costs to decline over time as it sourced parts beginning in 2023. Instead, memory and storage prices moved in the opposite direction, while some components became difficult to obtain altogether. According to Valve, those factors forced it to abandon its original pricing targets and limited the number of systems available for launch.
To avoid the chaos that often accompanies hardware releases, Valve is using a randomized reservation system. Interested buyers can sign up through June 25. After registrations close, Valve will randomly assign reservation and waitlist positions.
There are a few requirements. You’ll need a Steam account in good standing, and you must have made a Steam purchase before April 27, 2026. Valve is also limiting signups to one per household in an effort to reduce scalping.
The first purchase invitations will begin going out on June 29. If selected, customers will have 72 hours to complete their purchase before losing their reservation.
One thing I appreciate is that Valve isn’t pretending this is a console. The company continues to position Steam Machine as a PC first and foremost. In fact, Valve points out that gamers can already install SteamOS 3.8 on compatible hardware and build their own living-room gaming PC if they prefer.
The big question is whether enough people are willing to spend over $1,000 on a purpose-built SteamOS machine. Valve seems confident the demand exists. The company says interest in its recently released Steam Controller exceeded expectations, prompting this more controlled reservation process.
Either way, it’s fascinating to see the Steam Machine name return. The original concept may have arrived before the market was ready. This time around, with SteamOS far more mature and PC gaming stronger than ever, Valve may have a better shot.
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