Valve's Steam Machine is not classified as a console, which accounts for both its advantages and its challenges.

      It's a PC that resembles a console

      Steam Machine

      The Steam Machine has the appearance of a console, connects to a television like one, and provides a user-friendly experience for couch gaming. However, Valve emphasizes that it remains a PC. The pricing for the Steam Machine falls squarely within the realm of PCs. The starting price for Valve's living room gaming system is $1,049 for the 512GB model, while the 2TB variant is priced at $1,349. Additionally, if you wish to include the Steam Controller, it costs an extra $79.

      Costs like a PC, acts like a console

      Steam / Valve

      As noted in a Valve news update, the traditional console model often entails selling hardware at a loss and recovering those costs through subscriptions or games tied to that hardware. Valve believes this is a short-term strategy that may suit one company, but it isn't the kind of ecosystem that aligns with its vision for PC gaming.

      Valve doesn't intend for the Steam Machine to be the sole device for playing Steam games in the living room. Instead, it aims to be one option among various PCs, handhelds, SteamOS devices, and other choices available to players. This also accounts for the high pricing, as Valve chooses not to subsidize hardware costs through a closed platform model. The Steam Machine is priced more closely to the actual costs of its components and manufacturing.

      The price is still a concern

      Valve

      Despite this, the Steam Machine is not cheap. At $1,049, it significantly surpasses the prices of a PS5 or Xbox Series X, placing it alongside compact gaming PCs and high-end handheld setups in the consumer mindset. Valve mentions that the cost of components has worsened the situation, particularly for RAM and storage. The company initially anticipated that PC hardware costs would decrease over time, but the market moved in the opposite direction, affecting both pricing and availability at launch.

      However, the ambition extends beyond merely undercutting modern consoles on price. Valve aims to combine SteamOS, a library of Steam games, PC versatility, and a design suitable for living rooms into a single compact unit.

      Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience focused on consumer hardware.

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      Though Valve's new Steam Machine has been generating buzz primarily due to its pricing, a larger narrative may be that users won't necessarily need to purchase it. Valve has confirmed that SteamOS is becoming progressively desktop-compatible, allowing gamers the opportunity to construct their own Steam Machines using standard PC components and the operating system that powers the Steam Deck.

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      Steam Machine reviews commend Valve's hardware, but the major issue is its four-figure price tag

      Reviewers appreciate the design, SteamOS, and overall experience; however, many find it difficult to justify spending over $1,000.

      The review embargo on Valve's Steam Machine has been lifted, and a review of major publications reveals a clear trend: the reviews are not as mixed as social media might suggest. In fact, there is significant agreement on what Valve executed well and areas where it may have faltered.

      Here’s how prominent reviewers scored the Steam Machine.