Valve Steam Machine Expected to Launch at $699.99, According to Linus Tech Tips

Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine may arrive with a premium price tag, according to a new prediction from Linus Tech Tips. After testing the device at a recent preview event, Linus shared that Valve appears committed to positioning the Steam Machine as a fully fledged PC rather than a traditional, loss-leading console. As a result, he now expects the system to launch at approximately $699.99.

Linus explained that he initially encouraged Valve to target a $500 price point, but the company reportedly pushed back, emphasizing that the hardware needs to be “sustainable” rather than subsidized. Unlike major console manufacturers that often sell devices at slim margins, Valve appears determined to avoid taking a loss on components.

A PC at Heart, Not a Console Competitor

According to Linus, the suggested $699.99 figure reflects both Valve’s design philosophy and current component pricing. With RAM and SSD costs still fluctuating, he believes Valve intends to deliver a device that offers strong value while maintaining realistic PC-level pricing.

Despite sharing some disappointment that the Steam Machine may not compete directly with console pricing, Linus noted that the device’s capabilities—such as support for up to four Steam Controllers simultaneously—add meaningful value for players seeking a living-room-ready PC experience.

Valve has not yet confirmed the final retail price and is expected to do so closer to launch. Even so, Linus’s estimate aligns with the company’s public stance: the Steam Machine is meant to be a compact PC designed for the living room, not a cut-price console alternative.

If the predicted price holds true, Valve’s device will likely compete more closely with compact gaming PCs and handheld-to-desktop hybrids rather than mainstream consoles. How consumers respond to this pricing strategy may influence the direction of future PC-console crossover devices.

Source

Steam Machine Specifications

• CPU: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4, 6 cores / 12 threads, up to 4.8 GHz, 30 W TDP
• GPU: Semi-custom AMD RDNA 3, 28 Compute Units, ~2.45 GHz sustained clock, 110 W TDP, supports 4K gaming @ 60 FPS with FSR + ray tracing
• RAM: 16 GB DDR5 system memory + 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM
• Storage: NVMe SSD — either 512 GB or 2 TB; includes microSD card slot for expanded storage/portable catalog
• Operating System: SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) with KDE Plasma desktop environment
• Video Output / Ports: DisplayPort 1.4 (up to 4K @ 240 Hz or 8K @ 60 Hz, HDR, FreeSync, daisy-chaining) + HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K @ 120 Hz, HDR, FreeSync, CEC)
• Connectivity: 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 (dedicated antenna), Gigabit Ethernet, integrated wireless adapter for controller
• USB Ports: Front — 2× USB-A 3.2 Gen 1; Rear — 2× USB-A 2.0 + 1× USB-C 3.2 Gen 2
• Power Supply: Internal PSU, AC 110–240 V
• Dimensions & Weight: ~152 mm tall (148 mm without feet) × 162.4 mm deep × 156 mm wide; ~ 2.6 kg weight

Specs source: Steam