When the Steam Machine was first introduced again in November 2025, Valve informed me that the console-like PC can be launching within the first quarter of 2026. However issues is likely to be extra difficult now.
Valve just released a blog post, the place it says “we deliberate on having the ability to share particular pricing and launch dates by now.” Nonetheless, the AI shortages which are inflicting PC {hardware} to spike in worth has precipitated the corporate to take a bit extra time to nail down the worth and launch date for the Steam Machine and Steam Body.
Valve does nonetheless declare that it intends to launch the Steam Machine within the first half of the 12 months, which follows an AMD earnings name that additionally suggests an early 2026 launch date. Regardless of the way you slice it, although, it seems just like the Steam Machine might be coming a bit later than we initially anticipated it to.
When is the Steam Machine Coming Out?
Shortly after the Steam Machine was introduced, I attempted to predict when Valve was going to launch its mini gaming PC – however that was earlier than the RAM disaster actually kicked off in earnest. Again in November, I guessed that Valve would have introduced a launch date and worth for the Steam Machine by the top of January 2026 – however clearly, that did not occur.
As a substitute, it seems just like the Steam Machine has been delayed, if solely by a number of months, till Valve can discover concrete pricing. However with how unstable the RAM market is true now, Valve might be holding off till pricing stabilizes a little bit bit. Both approach, this in all probability means the Steam Machine may even be dearer.
From the start, Valve has been adamant that it might worth the upcoming mini PC in accordance to a PC with comparable {hardware}. A couple of months in the past, I figured that this might put the Steam Machine at round $800. However with the way in which PC pricing has been for the previous couple of months, I might simply see the upcoming console hit $1,000 or extra.
That is all simply hypothesis, and we can’t know the precise Steam Machine launch date or worth till Valve declares one thing. However in case you have been wanting ahead to the Steam Machine, you may want to brace your self for an extended wait and a better price ticket.
Jackie Thomas is the {Hardware} and Shopping for Guides Editor at IGN and the PC elements queen. You may comply with her @Jackiecobra