After months of delays and desperate pleas from fans for an affordable Steam Machine, Valve finally has the when, where, and how you can buy its upcoming console-like gaming PC. And just like practically all gadgets in 2026, Valve’s big push for couch-based gaming will not be cheap.
Valve’s 6×6-inch box of gaming goodness will cost $1,350 for a bare console that comes with 2TB of storage. If you want to spend less, there’s a $1,128 512GB variant that comes bundled with Valve’s normally $100 Steam Controller. You can put your name down to preorder the console on Steam starting today, but it gets even more complicated from there. On its page, Valve says players can “Join the list any time before June 25 at 10 a.m. PT [1 p.m. ET]. On that date, the list will be closed and randomized, and you will receive an email with your results shortly after.” Valve said in a blog post that the email should tell you whether or not you’re one of the lucky ones with the option to purchase a Steam Machine from the first batch of shipments that will go out starting June 29. Otherwise, your name will be added to the reservation queue, and you’ll have to wait to receive an option to purchase.
Essentially, Valve is indicating there is a limited number of consoles that will be available to purchase. There’s no way to guarantee you’ll be first in line to get one once June 25 rolls around. This is the strangest preorder system we’ve seen here at Gizmodo. Valve is likely expecting major shortages like it recently saw with its Steam Controller.
