Valve has decided to take the plunge and reveal all the remaining details about its highly anticipated living room console. The Steam Machine , a device that straddles the line between a console and a compact computer, now has official figures for its launch in the European market. Although the initial presentation took place at the end of last year, supply chain issues have forced the company to adjust its launch expectations and the final manufacturing costs of the device.
The proposal aims to bring the vast library of PC games directly to home televisions, leveraging the maturity that the SteamOS system has achieved in recent years. This isn't just a technological whim, but an ecosystem that aspires to compete with traditional entertainment systems by offering a freedom of use not typically found in these closed machines, allowing users to even tinker with the desktop or change the operating system if they wish.
A look at the prices and available versions
The hardware cost has undoubtedly been the most discussed aspect following the announcement. The entry-level version, equipped with a 512GB SSD, is priced at €1.039, while the 2TB version costs €1.359. Valve has been quite transparent about this, justifying these figures by citing the sharp crisis in RAM and storage prices that has affected the entire tech industry over the past year—a key factor in the delay and price of RAM.
For those who want the complete package, bundles including the new Steam Controller are also available. In these cases, the price rises to €1.108 for the basic model and €1.428 for the higher-capacity version. It's worth noting that the 2TB model includes interchangeable front panels with premium red fabric and walnut finishes , allowing for a touch of aesthetic customization right from the start.
How to book and avoid speculation
To ensure the units reach real players and don't end up on resale sites at exorbitant prices, the company has implemented a rather unusual reservation system. Those interested have until Thursday, June 25th at 19:00 PM (peninsular time) to sign up for the waiting list. Once the deadline has passed, Valve will randomly reorder all applications , so being the first to click the sign-up button won't help.
To participate in this process, certain security filters have been put in place, such as having a Steam account in good standing and having made a purchase before April 2026. Those selected will receive an email starting June 29th and will have 72 hours to confirm payment. It's a somewhat slow method, but it seems to be the only way to guarantee equitable distribution given the limited stock expected for the first few weeks.
The hardware: raw power in a compact format
Beneath its cube-shaped chassis, measuring a mere 15 centimeters on each side, the Steam Machine hides AMD-designed hardware that promises significantly higher performance than the Steam Deck. It features a 6-core Zen 4 processor and an RDNA 3 GPU which, on paper, should be capable of running games at 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, thanks to FSR upscaling technology. Cooling is handled by a 120mm fan designed to keep temperatures under control without making too much noise.
In terms of connectivity, the device comes well-equipped with USB-C and USB-A ports, Gigabit Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6E for those who prefer a wireless connection. However, some controversy has arisen from the confirmation that the output port is HDMI 2.0 instead of version 2.1, which limits some advanced features on the latest generation of televisions. The company assures users that they are working on software improvements to address some of these technical shortcomings in the future.
The arrival of this new device represents an ambitious attempt by Valve to carve out its own niche in the living room, moving away from the console business model that sells hardware at a loss to recoup investment through subscriptions. With a focus on system openness and compatibility with thousands of titles from day one, the Steam Machine positions itself as an alternative for users seeking the convenience of a compact machine without sacrificing the advantages of an open platform, even though the global economic climate has pushed its final price higher than many initially anticipated.
