Valve once had an idea for a small form factor gaming PC that would run SteamOS and offer PC gamers a console-like experience. The studio partnered with several vendors, each coming out with their own versions of the Steam Machine. They often featured different hardware configurations but so long as they included Valve's small list of requirements, they were given the Steam Machine branding.
The first batch of Steam Machines came out in late 2015 and cost anywhere from $400 up to $600. Players could pair these Steam Machines with a Steam Controller to play and a Steam Link to stream the content to a monitor or television.
Steam Machines quickly fizzled out and by 2018 Valve removed links to Steam Machines from their storefront. SteamOS at least continued on through Steam Deck.
Today, Valve just surprised everyone by announcing that not only is the Steam Machine back but it's a first-party offering and far more versatile than ever before.
This new Steam Machine is said to be "made for powerful, versatile PC gaming on a big screen." The device looks like a rather unassuming 6-inch cube that is small enough to fit under your TV or sit on your desk without taking up much space.
Steam Machine will run the latest version of SteamOS, providing an experience similar to that found on the Steam Deck. It will, of course, work with any modern controller you own. However, it was made to work best with the new Steam Controller.
You get full access to your existing Steam library, with the ability to play games at up to 4K resolutions and 60 FPS, so long as you don't mind using AMD's FSR scaling. This is accomplished through a semi-custom AMD desktop CPU and GPU.
The Steam Machine will offer a storage size choice of either 512GB or 2TB. Storage can be expanded via a microSD slot.
In addition, Steam Machine includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 with a dedicated antenna.
The device's most notable feature is the front facing LED strip. Valve says that you can customize the strip to show things like download progress and other status updates. You can also fully customize the color and animation of the LED strip however you want.
Valve is keeping the Steam Machine open to you. This means you can install your own apps or even install an entirely different operating system if you really want to. You can also use the Steam Machine for streaming to other devices such as your Steam Deck, Steam Frame, or anything else running Steam or Steam Link.
As the case is with the Steam Frame and new Steam Controller, Valve hopes to start shipping out the Steam Machine in early 2026. A firm release date and pricing details will come in early 2026.
A rundown of the Steam Machine's full technical specs can be found below:
| General | |
| CPU | Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6c / 12t Up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP |
| GPU | Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP |
| RAM | 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM |
| Power | Internal power supply, AC power 110-240V |
| Storage | Two Steam Machine models * 512GB NVMe SSD * 2TB NVMe SSD Both models include a high-speed microSD card slot |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna |
| Steam Controller | Integrated 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wireless adapter |
| I/O | |
| Displays | DisplayPort 1.4 * Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60Hz * Supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining HDMI 2.1 * Up to 4K @ 120Hz * Supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC |
| USB | Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front Two USB-A 3.0 high speed ports in the back One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the back |
| Networking | Gigabit ethernet |
| LED Strip | 17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizability |
| Size and Weight | |
| Size | 152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide |
| Weight | 2.6 kg |
| Software | |
| Operating System | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma |
Don't want, however, as I have a moderately high end PC, and the ability to stream to a craptop if needs be, or even my telly with a Bluetooth controller in use.
I also wonder how it affects heat management if you swap out the hard drive with a beefier one? I don't even know what upgrade options this thing has aside from a MicroSD card and an external hard drive. I get that it's meant to be a PC treated like a console for the living room, so it's not a modular home office PC, but I also wonder why I shouldn't just wait for a Steam Deck 2 to catch up to the Steam Machine's performance? At least then I have controls and a screen built in. I also wonder how long this'll be supported until VALVe gets bored of the idea again.
Separating the next paragraph because the more I re-read that message, the dumber I feel.
Complete Nonsensical Mumbling:
I'm also surprised the third party manufacturers aren't suing VALVe for screwing them over for Steam Machines 1.0. Unless there's simply no agreement signed that would justify a lawsuit (and the costs and the time it takes for anything to happen, etc.). Then again, it's been a while so I guess the Statute of Limitations already ended (can't remember if it was the Vive or Index that replaced Steam Machines, but it was long before Steam Deck was a thing let alone first party Steam Machines 2.0). Steam Deck probably would've triggered such a lawsuit if it was feasible/justified.