Valve Sets Steam Machine Price at $1,049, Launches Reservation System

After months of speculation and rumor, the long‑awaited reveal is finally here: Valve has disclosed the price list for its Steam Machine, putting the cost of this new desktop gaming platform into clear focus.

Breaking down the cost, the $1,049 model comes with 512 GB of storage. For those who want the Steam Controller included, a bundle is available at $1,128, effectively reducing the controller’s price to $79 instead of the $99 retail price. Users needing more space can opt for the 2‑TB version at $1,349, or $1,428 with the controller, and this edition also includes two extra faceplates for customization.

While the price tag may seem steep, Valve insists that what you’re buying is a high‑performance gaming PC, not just a conventional console. In recent months, component costs—particularly RAM—have surged, pushing the final price higher. Given that this is a compact mini‑PC with impressive power, the cost is more understandable, especially when comparable models on the market can be hundreds of dollars pricier.

For those willing to overlook the price, the acquisition route is a reservation system designed to be fairer than past releases. Learning from the hiccups with the Steam Controller and Steam Deck, Valve will make the Steam Machine available only through a random reservation queue. This approach aims to prevent bots and resellers from snatching up all the stock, sparing users the frustration of endless page refreshes.

From today until June 25th, you can sign up for your preferred version. After that cutoff, Valve will randomly assign each person a turn to reserve, sending email confirmations to those approved and to those placed on the waitlist. Despite Valve’s active anti‑scalping efforts, the ongoing RAM shortage continues to hamper availability, making it unclear how many units will be released in the initial wave. Undoubtedly, this launch is an ambitious test of both player patience and Valve’s logistical capabilities.