Valve’s Steam Machine looks like a console, but don’t expect it to be priced like one

Valve's Steam Machine: A Gaming Box That Won't Be Priced Like a Console

In a recent interview with YouTube channel Skill Up, Pierre-Loup Griffais, Valve's Hardware Manager, revealed that the company's upcoming Steam Machine living room box will be priced in line with similarly specced PCs, not consoles. This decision marks a departure from the industry norm of console-style pricing.

According to Griffais, the Steam Machine is designed to outperform the bottom 70 percent of machines that opt-in to Valve's regular hardware survey, utilizing an AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 GPU. As a result, users can expect the device to have similar performance to desktop hardware with comparable specs, at a price point that falls in line with desktops.

The Steam Machine will not be priced lower than a similarly specced gaming PC, which may deter some gamers from building their own Steam Machine alternative by installing SteamOS on a custom PC build. However, the device's unique features, such as its small form factor, ultra-quiet fan design, and strong integration with the Steam Controller and other Bluetooth controls, will set it apart from similar gaming PCs.

Griffais emphasized that Valve aims to provide a baseline offering for users who want a hassle-free experience without having to build their own PC. The Steam Machine's price point is expected to be competitive with high-end desktops, making it an attractive option for those looking for a plug-and-play solution.

With the Steam Machine's launch anticipated in early 2026, Valve has made a bold move by pricing its device at par with similarly specced PCs. This decision will likely appeal to users who value ease of use and don't want to spend hours building their own gaming PC.

I mean, think about it... if the Steam Machine is gonna cost like a high-end desktop, that's still pretty pricey for most people . I'm not sure how many ppl are gonna be able to afford that, especially when you consider the cost of a decent gaming PC already . And yeah, the whole "building your own" thing can be kinda off-putting for some folks... I get it, but at the same time, ppl love being able to tinker with their own gear . Still, it's def an interesting move by Valve... not sure if they're gonna catch a lot of flak from gamers who wanna build their own rigs .

I'm low-key hyped about the Steam Machine's price point lol! It's gonna be sick for people who just wanna game without breaking the bank . I mean, who needs a console when you can get a similar rig for desktop prices? The fact that it's outperforming those "bottom 70%" machines is insane . And let's not forget about the quiet fan design - gaming on the couch just got even better! But I guess it might deter some PC enthusiasts who wanna build their own SteamOS rig... maybe they'll just have to upgrade their game

I'm so stoked about the Steam Machine! I mean, who needs to mess around with building a custom PC when you can just plug in and play? The idea that it'll be priced like a high-end desktop is super appealing to me. I've got an old gaming rig that's been collecting dust for ages and now I'm tempted to upgrade... or rather, simplify my life . It's gonna be interesting to see how this whole thing plays out, especially with the whole custom PC build option still being on the table . Overall, I think Valve is onto something big here!

Yooo, I'm hyped about the Steam Machine! Like, think about it, you can get a beastly gaming PC for the price of a console . It's like Valve is trying to say, "Hey, we know you're a gamer, not a DIY enthusiast!" And let's be real, who doesn't love the idea of having a plug-and-play gaming experience without breaking out the soldering iron ? I mean, it's like they're saying, "Come for the games, stay for the quiet fan design that won't wake up your roommate ". Anyway, I'm excited to see how this thing turns out in 2026! It could be a game-changer (get it?) for PC gaming.

omg u guys ! so valve is like totally changing the game with steam machine it's gonna be priced like a pc, not console prices which means ur gonna get similar specs 2 high end desktops but 4 half the price that's like a dream come true for gamers who wanna build their own steam os rig 2 rival valve's steam machine and tbh, i think this is a genius move by valve the steam controller & other bluetooth controls r gonna make it super attractive 2 users who just wanna play games without the hassle of building ur own pc anyway, cant w8 4 steam machine 2 drop in early 2026

I think this is a great move for Valve . It's all about making the Steam Machine accessible to more people, especially those who aren't tech-savvy. By pricing it similarly to high-end desktops, they're essentially saying that you don't need to break the bank to get a powerful gaming machine.

But I'm curious, will this pricing strategy affect the overall PC building experience? For those who enjoy tinkering with their own rigs, might this change make them think twice about investing in a custom build. On the other hand, for casual gamers who just want a hassle-free experience, this could be a game-changer (pun intended) .

the fact that valve is making the steam machine priced like a normal pc instead of lower than console prices... it's a bold move, i think its gonna attract more people to use the device, especially those who dont wanna deal with building their own gaming rig and with the features they're offering, like the steam controller, i can see why ppl would want to buy one over just a regular pc

omg u think thats so cool that steam machine is gonna be priced like a pc not console lol whats the point of havin a box if u cant get one for cheap tho? but i guess its good that its made 4 ppl who dont wanna deal w/ buildin there own rig its def a better option 4 those who just wanna play games n chill

omg u guys, this is gonna change the game ! so like valve's steam machine is comin out in 2026 and it's gonna be priced like a normal pc, not some console prices lol. that means if ur lookin to build ur own gaming rig but dont wanna put in all the work, the steam machine got u covered . it's all about that plug-n-play life and with these specs, its gonna blow some serious competition outta the water . cant wait to see how this all plays out

seems like valve is trying to blur the lines between console and pc gaming boxes, kinda cool that they're not pricing it super low like consoles, might make it more legit as a gaming device. but $1000+ might be a bit steep for some people...

So I think this is pretty cool, you know? Like they're basically saying that just 'cause it's a box for your living room doesn't mean it can't be super powerful . And yeah, not pricing it like a console makes total sense if you want people to actually buy the thing and use it . It's like... you get what you pay for, right? I mean, those gaming PCs that are usually way more expensive than consoles just got some serious competition . And I'm curious to see how this whole SteamOS thing shakes out . Either way, it's definitely going to be interesting to watch this all play out .