tech
Valve’s Steam Machine looks like a console, but don’t expect it to be priced like one
Upcoming gaming box will be priced in line with a similarly specced PC, Valve says.
TL;DR
- Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed the Steam Machine will not use a console-style subsidized pricing model.
- The pricing will align with the PC market for hardware offering similar performance levels.
- The Steam Machine aims to outperform 70% of PCs in Valve's hardware survey.
- Estimates suggest a comparable PC build could cost $700+, similar to higher-end consoles.
- Market volatility in RAM and storage costs makes exact pricing difficult to predict.
- Gamers can build their own SteamOS alternatives, but the official machine will offer features like small form factor, quiet design, and HDMI-CEC.
- The Steam Machine aims to be a baseline offering with hard-to-replicate features.