Steam Machine reservations open at $1,049 base price
Over $1K for entry-level SteamOS desktop — form factor tax or future-proof Linux box?
Valve opened reservations for the Steam Machine today, with pricing starting at $1,049 USD (£879). The company is using a randomized queue system similar to the original Steam Deck launch, not first-come-first-served.
The delay pushed this release back several months while Valve wrestled with component shortages. Reviews are live now that the embargo lifted. Rock Paper Shotgun has theirs up.
This is a full SteamOS desktop PC, not a handheld. At over a grand for the entry config, you're paying a premium for the small form factor and native Linux gaming. A comparable Windows build with similar specs would run $700–800 if you source your own parts. The upside: plug-and-play Steam library access without dual-booting or fighting Proton compatibility yourself.
If you want framerates dialed in before your Machine ships, check which settings actually move the needle on your current rig first.