2026 could well be the year that the console wars are finally ended – but not by the PS6 or next-gen Xbox. Instead, both systems are under existential threat from a newcomer.

Towards the end of 2025, Valve unveiled a completely new range of hardware to complement its successful Steam Deck. The fresh Steam Controller, Steam Machine and Steam Frame are all poised to join Valve’s expanding hardware portfolio. It’ll make PC gaming more straightforward for those seeking powerful gaming without wanting to invest time and money in building a bespoke computer.

Valve may have remained somewhat quiet regarding specifics such as launch date and cost since the announcement – and there’s a valid explanation for that. However, there’s still a great deal that we do know about the Steam Machine, including some of its key features and approximately how powerful it will be.

Here’s what we know thus far about what the Steam Machine is, what it can and cannot do, and when you ought to expect to see it.

What is the Steam Machine?

The Steam Machine is a completely new PC device from Valve, the same firm that operates the game distribution platform Steam. It resembles a compact little cube and contains sufficient graphical power to run contemporary PC games on virtually any display you connect it to, reports the Mirror.

One scenario that Valve proposes the Steam Machine for is as a lounge gaming device. With an HDMI port at the back, the device is perfect for connecting to a television and playing your favourite Steam games from the comfort of your settee.

It will operate the Linux-based operating system called SteamOS – the same one presently used on the Steam Deck. That means it should run nearly any game in your Steam library, apart from the ones that require Windows for anti-cheat.

The positive aspect is that, because the Steam Machine will be open-source, users can install whichever operating system they prefer on the device. Should that involve replacing SteamOS with Windows, that option is available.

However, there are several advantages to retaining SteamOS on the device. Firstly, it supports the quick resume feature present on Steam Deck, enabling users to pause a game mid-session and restart it within seconds.

Regarding connectivity, there’s an SD card slot on the front panel. This allows users to increase the internal storage capacity and transfer games effortlessly between the Steam Machine and a Steam Deck – or even the newly launched Steam Frame VR headset, should they wish.

Valve has also incorporated an LED lightbar on the front of the device. As standard, this can display system activities such as download progress, or it can be customised to perform other functions.

How powerful is the Steam Machine?

Regarding the Steam Machine’s capabilities, Valve has remained relatively tight-lipped about precise hardware specifications. The company states that it utilises a ‘discreet, semi-custom AMD GPU’ that’s approximately ‘six times’ more capable than a Steam Deck.

On Valve’s website, it indicates that the CPU will run at 4.8GHz with a TDP of 30W. Meanwhile, its GPU is an RDNA3 variant with 28CUs. This will operate at 1.45GHz with a TDP of 110W.

Theoretically, this should enable 4K gaming at 60fps in certain titles, though the device will depend on some AI upscaling with FSR to accomplish that. On paper, these specifications are roughly comparable to a PC fitted with an RTX 4060 graphics card.

Whilst it won’t outperform the most powerful rigs available, it should prove perfectly adequate for enjoying slightly older titles on your television. Regarding storage capacity, buyers will be able to select between two variants. The first features a 512GB SSD, whilst the alternative boasts 2TB. Both options support expansion via the microSD card slot.

What’s the expected price for the Steam Machine?

This is where Valve has remained remarkably tight-lipped, and considering the current state of the hardware industry, their caution is understandable.

RAM prices have soared dramatically over recent months as AI server farms monopolise much of the globe’s available supply. Consequently, this has likely complicated matters at Valve as the company attempts to balance affordable pricing with adequate profit margins for the Steam Machine.

Presently, no official pricing information has been disclosed for the Steam Machine, and with the market experiencing such dramatic volatility, it’s virtually impossible to attach an accurate price to the device at this stage.

That said, preliminary estimates suggest the machine could retail somewhere between £600 and £800. Nevertheless, we’ll have to wait for market conditions to stabilise before Valve announces its final pricing.

What’s the Steam Machine release date?

When the Steam Machine was unveiled, Valve announced that its hardware units would begin shipping in ‘Early 2026’. As we move into February, there remains no indication of when the Steam Machine will arrive in shops, which could potentially be a consequence of the RAM shortage causing a postponement.

Valve has not yet made any statement suggesting it will miss that early 2026 launch date. That said, we are not expecting a release in the immediate future.