Today, we’re paying 200 euros more for the Steam Deck than we were just a few months ago. What really gives me a stomachache is the prospect of the Steam Machine.
I love my Steam Deck!
Okay, sure, it’s a bit strange to start a column on this topic this way, but that’s exactly why the price hike hurts so much: The handheld is highly recommended for casual gamers like me!
But please take a look at the price trends:
- Steam Deck OLED 512 GB: previously 570 euros; now 780 euros
- Steam Deck OLED 1 TB: previously 680 euros; now 920 euros
Good heavens, Captain!That’s a price increase of 36.84 percent (512 GB) and 35.29 percent (1 TB)! Anyone who didn’t snap one up earlier is really missing out now. Oh, and of course, the tech remains the same—check it out onValve’s product page. So you’re effectively getting less for your money.
I’ll put the price into perspective for you and then look anxiously toward the future. Spoiler alert: If you’re eyeing the Steam Machine, start saving up for a kidney.
The price is hot (unfortunately)
In light of the new Steam Deck price tag, a column by Peter came to mind. Back in 2022, it was titled, regarding the price of the RTX 4090: “Sky-high prices for the RTX 4090: If this keeps up, I won’t be able to afford my favorite hobby anymore.”
Well, Peter is still gaming today, but the statement proves just how resilient gamers are. Nothing reflects this better than the skyrocketing prices in console and PC gaming. People complain a lot, but they still buy. Of course, that’s no justification for charging astronomical prices, but in the end, we’re the ones deciding with our wallets.
A price increase of over 35 percent is a very bitter pill to swallow. But when you look at the prices of other PC handhelds, Valve’s new price tag doesn’t surprise me.
- MSI Claw 8 AI+, starting at 926 euros (Geizhals)
- Lenovo Legion Go S, starting at 799 euros (Geizhals)
- ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, starting at 899 euros (Geizhals)
Only the Zotac Zone stands out slightly at around 650 euros (via Geizhals), but I still wouldn’t call it a bargain.
If you compare these prices with the Steam Deck OLED, Valve’s handheld was already leaning toward the cheaper end of the spectrum. So I’m not surprised that Valve has—to put it mildly—adjusted its pricing.
And Valve is in good company.
- Sony has drastically increased the prices for the PS5 Pro.
- Nintendo is adjusting the prices for the Switch 2 worldwide.
And who’s to blame?
Let’s all say it together:
The memory crisis.
What does this mean for the Steam Machine?
Oh, man. The Steam Machine. We were so excited when Valve announced the console-PC hybrid practically out of nowhere. The older folks among us remember that new info was supposed to come out at the beginning of the year. Now it’s the end of May, and the crickets are chirping their never-ending concert.
The only thing we know:The Steam Machine is supposed to arrive this year. Fine, but at what price?
In March, I ran a headline in a news article that served as a barometer of the global community’s mood: “’If it’s over $1,000, I’m out’: Steam Machine is set to get more expensive, and gamers aren’t happy about it.”
I predict that this $1,000 statement will go stale like milk. By the way, in the same article you’ll find our price survey, and 34 percent of you—and thus the majority—would like a price between 400 and 600 euros.
That won’t happen.
Our handheld guru Linh thinks a price of over $1,000 is likelyand if I didn’t agree with him back then, I certainly do today. The price increase for the Steam Deck casts a very dark shadow over the potential price of the Steam Machine. Perhaps it’s not just a necessary price adjustment, but also a trial balloon on Valve’s part to gauge how strong the outrage among buyers will be over this move.
Conclusion
We live in a crazy world. I don’t like to talk about the “good old days,” because back then, not everything was necessarily good—it was just different. But one thing that was definitely better back then: consoles got cheaper over time instead of more expensive.
Yes, Valve is slapping a 35 percent markup on its Steam Deck, but I wouldn’t make them the scapegoat (nor Sony, Nintendo, or the other manufacturers).
The memory crisis—and with it the price surge for PCs and consoles—arose mainly because the three major memory manufacturers chose to focus on the more lucrative AI server boom. AI consumes an incredible amount of resources, and this steep price hike is just one of the symptoms.
I love my Steam Deck, but with all due respect: I wouldn’t pay 35 percent more for the same technology.
As for the Steam Machine, I already know I’ll politely pass. Not because I want to, but if I have to tighten my belt, I’ll cut back on luxury items first. And I can live just fine without a Steam Machine. Instead, we should put more pressure on the tech giants by breaking out of the price spiral and refusing to swallow this pill anymore.
