Steam returns to the forefront of the hardware scene. With its new Steam Machine, Valve promised a hybrid console capable of attracting PC gaming enthusiasts without blowing their budget. But a few months before its launch, the first information on its price is already dampening hopes.
Presented as a cubic mini-console with a sleek design, the Steam Machine runs SteamOS 3, based on Arch Linux, and features an AMD Zen 4 processor with 6 cores, 12 threads and a frequency of up to 4.8 GHz. It is capable of displaying in 4K at 240 Hz, or even 8K at 60 Hz. A little monster designed to replace a PC, for those who have neither the desire nor the budget to build one.
Valve’s Steam Machine, a more powerful console than expected
During its presentation, Valve insisted on the performance of its console. According to initial estimates, it would surpass 70% of PCs currently used by gamers. The objective is clear: to offer an all-in-one solution, usable on television as well as on PC screen, without compromising on power.
With this in mind, many fans were hoping for a price modeled after existing living room models, like the PS5 or Xbox Seriesaround 500 dollars. Some even mentioned a more competitive price, 400 dollarswhich could have ensured a real tidal wave.
A price much higher than the 500 dollars hoped for
But this is precisely where things get complicated. In a recent video, Linus Sebastiancreator of the YouTube channel Linus Tech Tipsrevealed a discussion he had with Valve about the Steam Machine’s business model. And the atmosphere was not reassuring.
“I can’t tell you what the price will be because I literally don’t know,” says Sebastian. “But when I said I was disappointed that it didn’t follow a console pricing model, where the manufacturer gets 30% of every game sold over the life of the machine – because I think that would be a more relevant product – they kind of asked me what I meant. ‘What do you mean by console pricing?’ I said ‘well, $500.’ No one said anything, but the mood in the room wasn’t great.”
This lack of reaction was interpreted as a clear indication that Valve does not want to sell the Steam Machine at a lossunlike Sony or Microsoft who compensate their margins on game sales. Result: the console could be released at 600 or even 700 dollarsa price that risks chilling players.
Especially since for this price, some users might prefer build their own PC with equivalent performance, or simply invest in a PS5 Promore powerful and often sold in packs with games or promotional offers.
For now, Valve has not yet made the price official. But if we are to believe the atmosphere described by Linus Sebastian, the promise of PC gaming accessible via the Steam Machine already seems compromised.