Valve’s future console, called Steam Machinegets a lot of attention. Officially unannounced, it is revealed little by little thanks to the confidences of the Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais and a technical investigation of the chain Linus Tech Tips. According to the latest information, the Steam Machine is more akin to a compact gaming PC than to a traditional console, which explains the uncertainty surrounding its pricing positioning.
“I think if you put a PC together from components and you get a broadly equivalent level of performance, that’s the price range we’re aiming for.” A statement which immediately triggered speculation.
A PC disguised as a console?
The team of Linus Tech Tips took this statement seriously and attempted to rebuild the Steam Machine from the supposed components. “The company was surprisingly open about specifications, features and design,” explains Linus Sebastian in his video. The result? A compact PC with near-console performance, built for around $813 with generic brands. With higher quality components, the cost could rise to over $900.
This initiative makes it possible to identify a plausible price range, while remembering that Valveas a manufacturer, would benefit from preferential rates on components.
Towards a sale price around 699 dollars?
According to Linus Sebastian, if Valve wants to remain competitive without selling at a loss, the final price would be around $699. “Sebastian predicts the console will retail for $699 if the market doesn’t undergo major changes.” This price seems consistent for a machine offering an experience close to a PC, while adopting a console format.
Others believe that a version without a controller at $649 would also be possible. A hypothesis supported by the compatibility of the machine with controllers already existing on the market.
A machine that already divides the community
On the networks, opinions are divided. Some say they are willing to pay this price if the performance is there, while others were hoping for a more affordable alternative to the PlayStation or the Xbox. One Internet user sums up the general feeling: “For those expecting a $400-500 machine, you will be disappointed. Don’t be fooled by its format, it is indeed a PC.”
Although the official price of the Steam Machine has not yet been announced, estimates based on components and Valve’s statements paint a realistic picture: it could be positioned as a real living room PC, as powerful as it is expensive.