Steam Machine Rumors Suggest Price Nearly Double Existing Consoles
Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine could test gamers’ wallets, according to leaked information from Czech retailer Smarty. Hidden in the store’s code, the 512 GB model is rumored to cost $950 (≈32,086 THB), while the 2 TB version could reach $1,070 (≈36,139 THB)—significantly higher than many expected.
Analysts suggest Smarty typically adds a 17% markup, which would bring the actual prices closer to $814 (≈27,492 THB) for the base model and $916 (≈30,938 THB) for the higher-capacity version. Even so, this still surpasses the current retail prices of popular consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Gamer Reactions and Social Debate
On Reddit and other social platforms, the news has sparked heated discussion. Many gamers feel the Steam Machine’s rumored specs might not justify the premium price, suggesting that building a high-end gaming PC might offer better value. While the Steam Machine promises convenience as a living-room PC-console hybrid, some see it as paying nearly double for similar performance.
Factors Driving the Price
Several factors could contribute to the high cost:
- Global shortages and rising prices of RAM and SSDs in 2025.
- Import taxes in certain regions.
- Valve positioning the Steam Machine as a premium living-room PC rather than a loss-leading console like previous models, focusing on PC-grade performance.
Expected specs include AMD Zen 4 CPUs and RDNA 3 graphics, aiming to deliver a true PC gaming experience on a TV screen without the need for a traditional desktop setup.
Looking Ahead
While these details remain unconfirmed by Valve, they serve as a warning for gamers anticipating this hybrid PC-console. Official pricing is expected to be clarified in early 2026, ahead of the Steam Machine’s release.
 Origin: Mensjournal
