Valve Steam Machine price was reportedly $1000 even before release date delay

The uncertainty over the Steam Machine price continues. Responding to component shortages, Valve recently raised the cost of its Steam Deck handhelds. Gamers now fear that the mini PC will also strain budgets. However, an insider revealed that even before the system’s release date delay, its price was higher than anticipated.

Jez Corden of Windows Central discussed the console affordability crisis on an XB2 podcast. When addressing the Steam Machine, he informed audiences:

I heard, last year when it was first announced, it was gonna be $1000… from a very, very good source, like a very good source.

The insider doesn’t specify whether that figure applies to the 512GB model or the 2TB alternative. Nevertheless, at the time, the PS5 digital was $499.99. While Valve said its hardware’s cost would be more comparable to a gaming PC than a console, its specs may not have justified the investment.

Frightening price predictions

Some gamers are using the Steam Deck price increase to predict the cube’s MSRP. The 1TB OLED version asks $949 instead of $649, while the 512GB variation is $789, up from $549. Similar adjustments to the Steam Machine price from $1000 could see one version costing buyers $1450.

Valve attributed the revisions to its gaming handhelds to the component shortages. The SteamOS cube also relies on DDR5 memory and SSDs, which the AI boom has impacted. There are variables involved, but the company seems unlikely to willingly lose money on the more potent mini PC.

When looking for other clues, fellow insider Brad Lynch recently gave buyers another hint. Around 2 months ago, he was told that the Steam Machine would be more expensive than the Steam Deck is now. Meanwhile, guided by industry trends, Circana analyst Mat Piscatella provided Eurogamer with a $1200 estimate.

Will anyone buy Valve's living room PC?

Despite the doom and gloom, Corden noted that even at a higher price, the restocked Steam Deck OLED sold out. He believes the company may target a smaller audience with fewer units.

Whether it proves to be a niche product or not, signs point to a Steam Machine release date in the near future. In a new leak, Valve’s backend added a Welcome Tour. As Brad Lynch explained, the manufacturer announced the Steam Controller's launch window a few weeks after a similar update.