Opinion: For many, the leaked price is a shock. For me, it would even be a dream come true.
A few days ago, there was talk of a Czech dealer about the supposed price of the Steam Machine has been leaked. Reddit user Pajman64 discovered the listing and was able to read the hidden price using the developer console in the browser.
Converted, the mini PC is expected to cost around $950 for the 512 GB memory version. The model with two terabytes is expected to cost around $1,070.
This leak is most likely not real, but an even higher price would not be unrealistic.
Why the leak is probably false
Valve usually distributes its hardware itself. Just like with the Steam Deck, we assume that the Steam Machine will also only be available through Valve. It is very unlikely that a single Czech retailer would be the exception.
This retailer would purchase the hardware from Valve itself and resell it at a higher price. For example, the Steam Deck OLED with 512 GB of memory is also being offered for the equivalent of 764 euros.& nbsp;
It is much more plausible that the price quoted is merely a placeholder and not a concrete leak.
Nevertheless, a price in the region of €1,000 would not be unthinkable – it would even be optimistic in view of the memory crisis.
Why the leak could still be realistic
Well-known Valve hardware developer Pierre-Loup Griffais already hinted at this a few months ago in an interview with The Verge that the Steam Machine would cost about the same as a self-built PC with similar performance.& nbsp;
At that time, however, the memory crisis had not yet reached the proportions it has today. A self-built PC with similar hardware costs significantly more today than it did a few months ago.
I used the website “Pcpartpicker” to put together a gaming PC that is as close as possible to the technical specifications of the Steam Machine. I opted for a Micro-ATX case, which offers a good compromise between size and price. If we were to use even smaller components (Mini-ITX) instead, this would drive the price up even further.
https://www.global-esports.news/ wp-content/uploads/2026/01/The-GPU-of-the-Steam.jpg
Based on current prices, this PC would cost me $1,177. Unsurprisingly and unfortunately, the most expensive components are the RAM sticks. The leaked price of $950 may sound quite high at first, especially compared to the PS5 and Xbox, but it wouldn’t be a bad deal – at least in times of rising hardware prices.
Since Valve doesn’t want to subsidize the Steam Machine through software sales, a higher price than the PS5 Pro would not only be unlikely, but plausible.
In addition, there is no end in sight to the memory crisis, and even graphics cards are becoming more expensive. Given this volatile landscape in the hardware market, I’m not surprised that Valve is still keeping quiet about the price.
The release period was perfect – until it wasn’t
For years, I’ve been hoping for a revival of Steam Machines. There are several reasons why now is the right time:
- With the release of the Steam Deck, game compatibility on Linux has improved significantly.
- Windows 11 is meeting with a lot of resistance in the community, and there is no gaming-focused operating system as an alternative for the masses.
- Xbox consoles still exist, but they are hardly relevant. Another manufacturer for gaming in the living room is coming at just the right time and could shake up the market.
Now Valve has finally taken the plunge; the stars were simply aligned – until they weren’t. The Steam Machine deserves a second chance, and now of all times, external factors are making it difficult.
Yes, the leak with a price tag of less than €1,000 is probably not real – but in times of skyrocketing hardware prices, it almost feels like a pipe dream.
