Everything we know about Steam Machine

Steam Machine launch date

The first wave of order confirmation emails for the Steam Machine will go out on Monday, 29th June 2026.

That’s right—first wave. Rather than a typical console launch where all units are released at the same time across the world, Valve is rolling out the Steam Machine in stages. If you’ve reserved a model in your area (handled via a one-time random draw), you’ll be notified when your allocation becomes available. After that, you’ll have 72 hours to buy your Steam Machine—otherwise it will be passed on to someone on the waitlist.

Valve plans to send out every Steam Machine allocated to the reservation list by the close of 2026. So even if you can’t purchase your Steam Machine on the 29th of June, you should hopefully have one before the year ends. The good part is that once your order confirmation email arrives and you’ve completed the purchase, your Steam Machine will be shipped to you. How long you wait depends on where you fall in the reservation queue.

Valve’s approach is intended, in part, to stop scalpers from grabbing large numbers of Steam Machines and flipping them immediately at inflated prices. (You can purchase only one Steam Machine per household.) It likely helps with inventory planning too, so Valve can avoid promising more units than are actually available.

The downside is that your chance to buy a Steam Machine may not come for a while, depending on whether you land on the reservation list or the waitlist. If you genuinely want one and can afford it, I’d recommend signing up for every available unit and bundle. Because each unit and bundle uses its own reservation list, and your final position is based on whichever list you rank highest in, this method can improve your odds of getting a Steam Machine.

Just remember: you can only purchase from one of the options (you’ll be taken off the other reservation/waitlists once everything is sorted). You may also end up paying more than you first expected, depending on which list you’re assigned through. Even so, it’s still a route worth considering if you’re keen to get Valve’s sleek black console.

You have until Thursday 25th June at 6pm (BST) / 7pm (CEST) / 1pm (EDT) / 10am (PDT) to register for the Steam Machine. You can still register after that point, but you’ll be placed at the very back of the waitlist.

Steam Machine pricing

Valve has revealed the prices for both the Steam Machine 512GB and the 2TB editions. It has also shared the costs for two bundles—one matched to each Steam Machine model variant—that include the Steam Controller.

Note: If you buy either the Steam Machine 2TB on its own or the 2TB controller bundle, you’ll also get two additional faceplates—one red fabric and one solid walnut.

If you’re considering this console, be sure you know how to buy a Steam Machine.

As noted, the prices for both Steam Machine versions are higher than many people expected. Much of that comes down to the overall rise in PC component costs—especially RAM and storage, both of which have climbed over the past few years. Valve has said its choice not to subsidize the Steam Machine’s price was made in order to maintain an open system.

In comments to Eurogamer, Lawrence Yang, a Valve UX Designer, said that Valve treats the Steam Machine as a PC and as part of the open PC ecosystem, which they strongly back. “We believe it’s crucial for people to have choices in what they play and how they engage with it. So, if they prefer a Steam Machine for their gaming experience, that’s fantastic. If they prefer to build a separate PC for gaming in their living room, that’s also fantastic.”

If you’re not specifically looking for a Steam Machine but want a PC setup with comparable performance, James Archer, deputy editor of our PC-focused site RPS, suggested a mini ITX build (“something resembling Nvidia’s RTX 5050”) when we asked about the Steam Machine from a tech perspective.

Steam Machine Trailer

Valve shared this Steam Hardware Announcement clip to introduce the Steam Machine, along with the new Steam Controller and Steam Frame:

Steam Machine Design and Features

The Steam Machine is Valve’s new console designed to let you play PC games on your television. In practice, it’s aimed at people who’d rather not buy a gaming PC, or who haven’t found the Steam Deck practical (or may find it hard to use comfortably, especially with smaller hands like mine). Even though it borrows the same name as the original Steam Machine released a decade ago, this updated model was developed internally by Valve.

While the Steam Machine could remind you of a shrunken Xbox Series X in appearance, it’s actually more comparable to the GameCube in size—just a bit taller and wider than Nintendo’s sixth-generation system (though it doesn’t include the handle). That shape helps it slide neatly beneath your TV, unlike bulkier systems such as the PlayStation 5.

Valve didn’t aim to copy either the Xbox Series X or the GameCube. Instead, in a discussion with Will Judd, the company said the console was designed around the fan setup and core ideas from thermodynamics. Valve explained that “if you comprehend how much air you require, you can establish a fan design quite early,” and once you know “the size of the fan, everything else kind of follows from that.”

All of that results in a streamlined black cube, with an LED strip positioned near the base along the front. That light bar is also designed to be personalized, so you can change its colors and animations. It can even be used to show game download activity—whether you’re seeing an update in progress or the console is powering up.

The front panel above the light strip can be customized too, and the panel itself is magnetic so it’s easier to clean. Valve also plans to publish the 3D files for this panel, giving users the option to produce their own designs. The 2TB version comes with two faceplates—red fabric and solid walnut—so you can choose the look you prefer. And if you’re looking at the 512GB model, there’s no need to worry; fans are already making their own faceplates. For example, DBrand has created a Companion Cube design. (Cake not included.)

At launch, you’ll be able to pick between two Steam Machine options: one with 512GB storage and another with 2TB. You can also purchase the console as part of a bundle that includes the new Steam Controller (details below). Still, the Steam Controller isn’t required—this Steam Machine works with a wide variety of controllers, accessories, and PC peripherals. The new Steam Controller can also power on the Machine, and depending on the version you get, it can even turn on your television.

On the Friends Per Second podcast, Pierre-Loup Griffais said the Steam Machine would be “more aligned with what you might anticipate from [the] current PC market.”

Even so, the system includes a set of features meant to make it feel closer to a conventional console, not just a compact gaming PC. Graffais highlighted, “some integration features like HDMI CC, being able to turn your TV on, turn off your TV… that’s all complex, but more crucially you can turn on the Machine from your controller, which isn’t straightforward depending on your PC… so the ability to sit down on your couch, press a single button on your controller, and have the entire system power up in a way that’s expected for something in your living room is incredibly valuable.”

That covers the outside of the Machine—now let’s take a look at the internal components by going through the Steam Machine specs…

Steam Machine Specifications

Here’s a complete breakdown of the Steam Machine specifications:

When it comes to how the Steam Machine actually performs in day-to-day use, Chris Tapsell noted in his review that it’s “exceptionally quiet and has experienced zero issues with heat.” (Though…
I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that.

Steam Controller specifications

Below is what we currently know about the specifications for the upcoming Steam Controller. Please note that these specifications may change by the time the controller goes on sale.

The new Steam Controller may be the first ‘first-party’ console-style gamepad to include TMR thumbsticks. These use a fresh kind of magnetic sensor designed to track your movements with greater precision, which should translate into more fluid gameplay. Most notably, though, TMR thumbsticks are typically sturdier and less likely to run into problems such as stick drift (unlike the original Joy-Cons for the Nintendo Switch). Ideally, that will help the new Steam Controller last longer than other options currently on the market.

The Steam Controller also offers optional gyro-based motion controls, along with a new feature called ‘GripSense’. With this, the controller can determine how you’re holding it and, as a result, switch gyro aiming on or off. If you’d rather, you can also set ‘GripSense’ to control different inputs. This is expected to support a smoother experience, enabling tailored control setups across different games, and making gyro-based controls more approachable for people who find them difficult.

Summary of Steam Machine Coverage

Want to dig deeper into the Steam Machine? Here’s an overview of Eurogamer’s reporting, covering our most recent articles plus a few from last year that you may also enjoy:

We hope you’ve had fun learning more about the Steam Machine, Controller, and Frame!