Following months of leaks, rumors, and endless speculation, the Steam Machine is finally here. Valve had previously shared the complete specifications of the device, but we now have the full picture, including its price and release date. While you can call it a console, it’s more accurate to describe the Steam Machine as a compact gaming PC that runs the Linux-based SteamOS and is designed to deliver a living-room gaming experience similar to traditional consoles.

This isn’t Valve’s first attempt at a Steam Machine, but this version feels far more refined and focused. The company’s experience with the Steam Deck and years of work on SteamOS appear to have laid the groundwork for a much more polished product. Alongside the Steam Machine, Valve also officially announced the Steam Controller (which is out now) and the Steam Frame VR headset, both of which are designed to work seamlessly with the new system.

Steam Machine release date announced

After months of rumors and conflicting reports, Valve has finally confirmed exactly when the Steam Machine will arrive. The company previously only stated that the device would launch sometime in the first half of 2026 after delays caused by industry-wide memory and storage shortages.

That uncertainty is now over, as according to Valve, the Steam Machine will officially launch on June 30, 2026. The announcement finally puts an end to months of speculation surrounding the device’s release window. Rumors had suggested that Valve could reveal the system during Summer Game Fest, while benchmark listings and recent leaks hinted that an announcement was imminent.

With the launch now just around the corner, the Steam Machine is shaping up to be one of Valve’s biggest hardware releases since the Steam Deck, and it won’t be long before players can finally get their hands on the company’s long-awaited return to living-room gaming.

Steam Machine specs

Valve didn’t shied away from revealing the Steam Machine specs with its initial announcement. As far as performance goes, Valve claims it has “over six times the horsepower of Steam Deck”. We also know that the device will be available in two different models, with the distinction being their storage capacity: 512GB and 2TB.

There’s also a good degree of customization you can do with the Steam Machine, which is always nice to see. As you can see above, the LED Strip is a nice addition, while Valve’s marketing also shows that you can switch out the front panel (at least) for a custom design. The limited-edition Companion Cube from dbrand also gives the Steam Machine a whole new shell for Portal fans (no pun intended).

Steam Machine price

Pricing was one of the biggest question marks surrounding the Steam Machine, but now we finally have official figures from Valve. For months, rumors suggested that the device could cost around $1,000 due to rising memory and storage prices, and it turns out those predictions were surprisingly accurate.

The base Steam Machine with 512GB of storage will cost $1,049, while a bundle that includes the new Steam Controller is priced at $1,128. There’s also a 2TB model listed for $1,349, with the controller bundle carrying a $1,428 price tag. The 2TB version also comes with two additional faceplates: red fabric and solid walnut.

The final pricing places the Steam Machine firmly in the premium gaming PC category rather than competing directly with traditional consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. Earlier predictions had hoped for a price somewhere between $600 and $800, but the ongoing hardware shortages and rising component costs clearly pushed the device into a much higher price bracket. Even the early leaks from retailers, which listed prices close to $1,000, ended up being remarkably close to the final figures. 

Is Steam Machine a console?

Steam Machine sort of blurs the line between PC and console, but we’d say that it’s definitely the former. That’s because it runs on SteamOS, Valve’s very own gaming-focused operating system. SteamOS is based on Linux, meaning it is much more open than a regular games console like the latest Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo Switch. And if you’re still not sure about it being a PC, Valve explicitly calls it that on its store page.

“…and it’s a PC

Yes, Steam Machine is optimized for gaming, but it’s still your PC. Install your own apps, or even another operating system. Who are we to tell you how to use your computer?”

Source: Steam

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.