2026-01-13 12:47:28

Valve’s Steam Machine could reportedly cost a lot more than a PlayStation 5 Pro and an Xbox Series X.

According to leaked listings spotted at Czech retailers Smarty and Alza, Valve’s upcoming console-style PC could cost around $950 for a 512GB model and more than $1,070 for a 1TB version before tax.

While Valve has not confirmed pricing or availability, the consistency across multiple retailers has fuelled speculation that the Steam Machine will launch well above traditional consoles like the PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X.

Even accounting for retailer markups, which appear to sit at roughly 15 per cent based on comparisons with Steam Deck pricing, analysts estimate Valve’s direct prices could still land around $830 for the base model and $930 for the higher-capacity SKU.

That would make the Steam Machine significantly more expensive than Sony and Microsoft’s flagship consoles -with the PS5 Pro retailing for $750 and the Xbox Series X costing $650 – and closer in spirit to a compact gaming PC than a subsidised mass-market system.

This supposed distinction could be deliberate, as Valve has never hidden the fact that the Steam Machine is designed as a console-like PC, rather than a closed platform.

Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Valve is unlikely to sell hardware at a loss, instead relying on its established PC ecosystem and Steam storefront for long-term value.

Timing may also be working against Valve, as the Steam Machine is expected to launch amid a global NAND memory shortage, which has driven up the cost of storage and other key components.

That pressure could explain why Valve has so far avoided committing to a firm price or release date, despite unveiling the hardware in November 2025 and hinting at a possible Q1 2026 launch window.

The Steam Machine is part of a broader hardware push that includes the Steam Frame VR headset and a redesigned Steam Controller, signalling Valve’s ambition to build a full-stack gaming ecosystem spanning handheld, desktop and living-room play.

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