Assuming everything goes to plan, 2026 should see the launch of Steam’s ambitious new console/PC hybrid. The imaginatively titled Steam Machine has had gamers concerned since it was first announced late last year, and I’m sure you already know why: we’re all terrified by the price tag.

Fans are getting increasingly frustrated over the price of the new Steam gaming PC, and for good reason: by all accounts, it sounds as if the Steam Machine is not going to come cheap. Valve is also working on a new wireless VR headset called the Steam Frame, which is suffering from the same issues.

The Steam Machine Price Saga Continues

The waiting is the hardest part

At this time, Valve has yet to officially announce a price for the Steam Machine, and now we know why: Valve doesn’t actually know yet how much it’s going to charge for the hardware, which is probably not a great sign. In a recent update to players, Valve explained that it’s been hit by the global RAM shortage and increased costs, which has thrown a wrench into their plans. This same shortage has reportedly impacted the development and release of the next-gen consoles from both PlayStation and Xbox.

Valve explained:

“When we announced these products in November, we planned on being able to share specific pricing and launch dates by now. But the memory and storage shortages you’ve likely heard about across the industry have rapidly increased since then. The limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing (especially around Steam Machine and Steam Frame). Our goal of shipping all three products in the first half of the year has not changed. But we have work to do to land on concrete pricing and launch dates that we can confidently announce, being mindful of how quickly the circumstances around both of those things can change. We will keep you updated as much as we can as we finalize those plans as soon as possible.”

While it’s good to know the Steam Machine is still on track for a 2026 release, it would be nice to know how much we need to start saving. Of course, this is hardly an ideal position for Valve, and it’s clear there are no real winners here.

This Isn’t A Terribly Good Sign

We’ll have to wait and see

Since the Steam Machine was first announced, fans have been wondering if it’ll actually be worth whatever price point it ends up being sold at, especially considering the fact that it’s basically a non-upgradeable gaming PC. While some reports estimate the Steam Machine could end up being sold for around $700, other leaks have put it at over $1,000.

However much it actually ends up being, it’s clear that if you want a Steam Machine, you’re going to have to start putting away some money now.