Valve has launched its new Steam Machine gaming PC, with the entry-level 512GB model priced at $1,049 in the United States and £879 in the United Kingdom.
The company said the pricing reflects rising hardware component costs and supply constraints that emerged during development.
In a blog post, Valve said it had initially expected component prices to decline over time as newer technologies entered the market. Instead, costs for key components, particularly RAM and storage, increased significantly.
“There are a variety of reasons, all of which are affecting hardware products everywhere. The overall effect is that our original goal for the price of Steam Machine is no longer viable. So the prices we’re sharing today reflect the state of the world for manufacturing; or, more accurately, it reflects the price of the components as we’ve secured them over the past 6 months,” Valve said.
The company added that the availability of some components had also affected production, limiting the number of units available at launch. The device was unveiled in November as a PC “optimized for gaming” that can also be used as a console.
Steam Machine will be offered in 512GB and 2TB configurations, alongside optional bundles that include the Steam Controller. The 2TB model is priced at $1,349, while the bundle version costs $1,428.
To manage demand and reduce reseller activity, Valve is implementing a reservation system rather than opening sales immediately.
Customers can register interest in a specific model through June 25, after which Valve will conduct a one-time randomization process to determine reservation and waitlist positions.
Those selected for the reservation queue will receive an opportunity to purchase a Steam Machine as units become available, with the first batch of purchase invitations scheduled to begin on June 29.
Valve said customers not selected for the initial reservation queue will be placed on a waitlist and notified when additional units become available.
The company printed a lengthy FAQ on the blog post here.
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