As part of Valve’s recent hardware announcements, we can now look forward to the Steam Machine. We suppose you can call it a console, or a console-PC hybrid, but it’s essentially a mini PC for your home that runs on the Linux-based SteamOS. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Steam Machines before, but this feels like a much more definitive launch – especially with all the development time Valve has had with the operating system through the success of its Steam Deck handheld.

The Steam Machine is a cube-shaped home console set for release in 2026, and was announced along with the company’s new Steam Frame VR headset and Steam Controller, both of which will pair well with the new SteamOS device. It’s already got a custom Portal Companion Cube model, too.

Steam Machine release date window announced

The official Steam Machine reveal shows that the mini PC will be “shipping in 2026”. Nothing more specific was shown in the video announcement, but Eurogamer discloses that Valve said “the products are going to be shipping in early 2026,” which would suggest a Q1 release, i.e., somewhere between January and March, but this is yet to be confirmed. The “early 2026” release window is now also listed on the hardware’s Steam store page.

We theorized a Steam Machine revival early this year at CES, back when Valve announced SteamOS for the Legion Go S, the first third-party handheld to receive it. Thanks to all the rumors and leaks circulating on the web, we also figured that 2025 could be a big year for Valve hardware, and it’s nice to see some official announcements at long last.

Steam Machine specs

Valve hasn’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 seems to give the Steam Machine a whole new shell for Portal fans (no pun intended).

Steam Machine price estimate

Valve hasn’t announced how much the Steam Machine will cost, and there isn’t a whole lot to go off right now. The first thing to point out is that there will be two models (512GB and 2TB), so there is going to be an obvious price gap between them.

The original Steam Machines that launched a decade ago varied in price massively, as vendors like Alienware, Gigabyte, and many more made their own editions with different specs. Looking back at the launch prices, they started at $499 and could cost as much as $6,000 when fitted with flagship hardware at the time. As for the new official Valve-built Steam Machine, we estimate somewhere between $450 and $600, based on an analysis from YouTuber ‘Moore’s Law Is Dead’.

According to Eurogamer, Valve says that it is “still narrowing down the last few details” and that includes the “exact price points”. Valve also says that the price will be revealed close to the release, so we may have to wait until 2026 to hear anything official regarding the price. Since we’re talking about Valve here, we have to expect a competitive price tag when compared to a regular PC build with similar performance metrics.

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.