Don’t expect console pricing for Valve’s Steam Machine — unless it’s a PS5 Pro

Valve Steam Machine — (Image credit: Valve)

After the success of the Steam Deck in recent years, it was still a surprise to see Valve announce even more gaming hardware.

Alongside the Steam Frame and new Steam Controller, the Steam Machine has captured the attention of many, packing a gaming PC into a Gamecube-like form factor that’s just as well suited to being next to your TV as it is on your desk.

With Valve remaining tight-lipped about pricing, though, we haven’t had a lot of information to go on — and now, we know a little more.

Valve’s Steam Machine expected to be priced like a PC

Valve has suggested that the Steam Machine will not have its price subsidized, which is what you see from traditional console manufacturers.

Essentially, consoles are sold at a little less than what they cost to make, with platform holders like Microsoft and Sony making money back through the sale of software. That helps keep the prices of consoles down, and as we saw with the PS4 and Xbox One generation, having the lowest sticker price can be a huge deal.

Still, Valve will be sticking to what it did for the Steam Deck back in 2022. The Steam Machine will cost what it costs, essentially — so what will it cost?

YouTuber Dave2D said Valve told him they’re not targeting console pricing, but that the system will be priced competitively with a compact PC.

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Estimates suggest that it could start at a low of $700, with prices going up to around $800. But Pierre-Loup Griffais, a Valve Software Engineer, told YouTuber SkillUp the following:

“No, it’s more in line with what you might expect from the current PC market. Obviously, our goal is for it to be a good deal at that level of performance. And then you have features that are actually really hard to build if you are making your own gaming PC from parts.”

“Things like the small form factor, the noise level that we achieved, or lack thereof, is really impressive and we are excited that people are going to find out how quiet this thing is. But also, some integration features like HDMI CEC., the Bluetooth and wireless work that we’ve done, the four antennas, the very deliberate design, so that you can have a great experience with four Bluetooth controllers."

Of course, there's no solid price on Valve's PC machine just yet, but it does give us a good idea of the price it will be. Considering the PS5 Pro is now up to $749 due to an increase, the Steam Machine may have some competition on the console front after all.

Given that the next Xbox is expected to offer a more PC-like experience with additional storefronts, this could allow Microsoft the chance to sneak in at the more affordable end of the spectrum. Although the company has said its next-gen hardware will have a more premium focus.

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