Steam Machine Price Shock: Breaking the $1,000 Barrier
Czech retailers reveal pricing that could make Valve’s console-PC hybrid significantly pricier than PlayStation 5 Pro and Xbox Series X
How Steam Machine Pricing Compares
Subsidized by Sony
Subsidized by Sony
Subsidized by Microsoft
Still subsidized
Full PC pricing model
Impacted by NAND shortage
Gaming Hardware Price Breakdown
| Device | Storage | Price (USD) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Machine (512GB) | 512GB | $950 | Baseline |
| Steam Machine (2TB) | 2TB | $1,070 | +$120 vs 512GB |
| PS5 Digital Edition | 825GB | $449 | -$501 vs Steam Machine |
| PlayStation 5 | 1TB | $549 | -$401 vs Steam Machine |
| Xbox Series X | 1TB | $649 | -$301 vs Steam Machine |
| PS5 Pro | 2TB | $699 | -$251 vs Steam Machine |
| Steam Deck OLED | 512GB | $549 | -$401 vs Steam Machine |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black | 2TB | $799 | -$151 vs Steam Machine |
⚠️ The NAND Shortage Crisis Explained
The global memory shortage has intensified since the Steam Machine announcement in November 2025. Driven by insatiable demand for AI hardware, chip shortages are driving up costs across all tech sectors. Industry reports indicate every NAND manufacturer has sold out capacity for all of 2026.
Unlike Sony and Microsoft, Valve will not subsidize the Steam Machine’s price to boost game sales. This means consumers pay the full cost of production, which includes expensive components hit hard by the shortage. Even older MLC memory has seen price doubling, with rapid inflation accelerating since November 2025.
New production lines needed to address demand won’t be ready until at least late 2027. This timing may explain why Valve hasn’t committed to official pricing or release dates despite revealing the Steam Machine in mid-November 2025. The company hinted at a possible Q1 2026 launch, but component costs remain volatile.
Steam Machine Journey: From Announcement to Price Leak
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