The mystery surrounding the price of the next Steam Machine of Valve is starting to dissipate, thanks to the YouTube channel’s in-depth investigation Linus Tech Tips. Without any official announcement having been made by the company, several technical indices now make it possible to estimate a plausible price for this hybrid machine between home console and gaming PC.
Through a series of declarations, demonstrations and technical reconstructions, experts today put forward a price well below $1,000. But the debate remains lively.
Valve plays with transparency… in its own way
Questioned by the channel Skill Up, Pierre-Loup Griffaisa software engineer at Valve, said: “I think if you put a PC together from components and you get a roughly equivalent level of performance, that’s the price range we’re aiming for.”
This comment set several hardware specialists in motion. Starting with Linus Sebastianwho revealed in a video that he was invited to Valve to take a close look at the Steam Machine. He describes an informative exchange: “surprisingly open about specifications, features and design.”
A PC built to simulate the Valve console
Based on this information, Linus Tech Tips assembled a PC using the components and supposed performance of the console. Result: depending on the configurations, the cost varies between 602 dollars and 910 dollars, with a realistic estimate around 813 dollars.
But Linus predicts that Valve will likely sell the machine to $699 : “if the market does not undergo major changes”. A price considered higher than the unit manufacturing cost, but competitive for players.
Some Internet users go even further. For one: “I think $699 is a fair price. Offering a console-only version (without controller) at $649 could also be an option, since it would be compatible with all existing controllers.”
The trap of comparisons with the PS5 and Xbox
This estimated price positions the Steam Machine above traditional consoles, such as the PS5 or the Xbox Seriesoften sold between $499 and $549. But one detail changes everything: the Steam Machine, despite its compact format, is indeed a Complete PC.
As another comment points out: “For those expecting a $400-500 machine, you will be disappointed. Don’t be fooled by its form factor, it is indeed a PC. I estimate its price between $700 and $800.”
Steam Machine: a premium console or a PC in disguise?
Valve seems to be banking on a hybrid positioning: a machine as simple to use as a console, but as powerful and modular as a PC. If the final price still remains unknown, the elements gathered so far converge towards a reality: the Steam Machine should establish itself as a serious alternative for demanding gamers, ready to invest in an open and efficient platform.