When Valve announced the Steam Machine back in November, I was cautiously optimistic. This wasn’t Valve’s first attempt at the idea, as the original Steam Machine launched in 2015, but it never really found its footing. However, a lot has changed since then. Hardware and software have improved significantly, and the Steam Deck’s success since its 2022 launch has shown that Valve can absolutely build compelling gaming hardware.
So when Valve revealed the new Steam Machine — a compact, cube-shaped mini PC slated for an early 2026 launch, along with a new Steam Controller and the Steam Frame VR headset — it felt like the timing might finally be right.
Unfortunately for Valve (and, honestly, everyone), things took a turn almost immediately after the announcement, thanks to what I’ll call the RAM apocalypse. You’ve probably heard about it already, but if not: the explosion of AI has led data centers to scoop up massive amounts of RAM, causing supply shortages and sending prices skyrocketing. To put that into perspective, I bought 32GB of DDR5 RAM for my PC back in 2024 for $145. Today, that same kit of RAM costs around $550 — nearly four times the original price.
Since Valve had already confirmed the Steam Machine would ship with 16GB of RAM and 8GB OF VRAM, it didn’t take long for concerns to arise about how the global RAM shortage might affect pricing. As it turns out, those worries were well-founded.
In a recent Steam Machine FAQ, Valve confirmed it’s delaying the system’s launch, which was originally planned for early 2026. The company also said that due to rising RAM costs, it needs more time to reevaluate the Steam Machine’s price before announcing it.
“When we announced these products in November, we planned on being able to share specific pricing and launch dates by now. But the memory and storage shortages you’ve likely heard about across the industry have rapidly increased since then,” Valve explained. “The limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing (especially around Steam Machine and Steam Frame).”
- 4K Capability
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Yes
- Brand
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Valve
- Game support
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Steam
- Storage
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512GB, 2TB
The Steam Machine’s delay won’t be long
Though my optimism is turning into skepticism
As for the Steam Machine delay, the good news is it shouldn’t be long. While Valve initially targeted an early 2026 launch, it’s now shifted its language to “the first half of the year,” which hopefully means we’ll see it sometime before June. That delay also applies to the new Steam Controller and the Steam Frame headset.
“Our goal of shipping all three products in the first half of the year has not changed. But we have work to do to land on concrete pricing and launch dates that we can confidently announce, being mindful of how quickly the circumstances around both of those things can change,” Valve said. “We will keep you updated as much as we can as we finalize those plans as soon as possible.”
On paper, the Steam Machine still looks like a very promising piece of hardware. It packs a semi-custom, desktop-class AMD CPU and GPU (Zen 4, 6 cores / 12 threads, up to 4.8GHz) with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, and options for either a 512GB or 2TB SSD. From the start, Valve has said the system is capable of running games at 4K at 60FPS with FSR (AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution) and its latest FAQ reiterates that claim. Though it does admit some titles will require tweaking settings.
At this point, Valve’s decision to delay the Steam Machine and reevaluate pricing amid the RAM shortage has turned my optimism into skepticism.
That said, as promising as the Steam Machine may be, my biggest fears seem to be coming true. First, it’s already delayed, and it’s not hard to imagine it slipping again. Second, my hope that it would be an affordable gateway to PC gaming feels increasingly unlikely.
Originally, I was hoping the Steam Machine would land around $600, given its hardware. Now, though, I wouldn’t be surprised if the 512GB model ends up closer to $900, given the cost of comparable components. That would put it much farther away from the price of a PS5, Xbox Series X, or even a Switch 2. To be clear, that $900 figure is pure speculation on my part, but it doesn’t feel out of the realm of possibility.
At this point, Valve’s decision to delay the Steam Machine and reevaluate pricing amid the RAM shortage has turned my optimism into skepticism. I still love the concept, but if the price climbs too high, I worry it’ll push a lot of people toward a console or just building their own PC instead, and make the Steam Machine dead on arrival. Still, Valve, I’d love to be wrong here. Surprise me with a competitive price in a few months and renew my hope, and I’m sure many others.
