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Valve has at long last, granted it’s been under a year since announcing the Steam Machine, revealed pricing for its PC console. The sticker shock is strong with the base model going for $1,049, which has a 512 GB SSD for storage and does not include a controller, or the $1,428 flagship 2 TB model that does include a controller. Folks shouldn’t be too shocked, really, given the ongoing insanity with NAND/DRAM pricing thanks to AI’s insatiable appetite and manufacturers’ thirst for profits in feeding it. Most pundits agreed months ago that it would be nice if the base model launched in the $600-$800 range, but it didn’t take long to see that would be a near impossibility unless it miraculously secured its memory and storage components for pennies on the dollar. However, it had already been speculated that Valve likely hadn’t moved fast enough in procuring those precious components before rampocalypse, and as such, here we are with all models going for over $1K.

Valve has implemented its limited drop program registration process for pre-orders in an effort to curb scalping, but seriously, if these prices are not scary enough, then anyone considering paying more should think about the old saying that there’s a sucker born every minute. The pre-order queue opened yesterday and ends on June 25, and will randomly pick participants to send emails to. Those who register will receive an email on June 29 and must respond within 72 hours, and Valve has said that any registrations that appear to be AI-generated will be voided. Those who do not join in the reservation process will still be able to pre-order once the window has closed, but will be added to the pre-existing queue.

“Registrations generated by artificial intelligence, script, macro, automated, or other means that may, in Valve’s discretion, impair or subvert the registration process will be void.”

– Valve

So what do you get for $1K-$1500?

• CPU: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T
• GPU: Semi-custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs
• 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
• 512GB ($1,049) – 2TB ($1,428) NVMe SSD, microSD card slot
• 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Gigabit Ethernet
• Integrated Steam Controller wireless adapter
• Small form factor, ~6-inch cube
• SteamOS 3
• 1x Display Port 1.4 / 1x HDMI 2.0
• 1x USB-C
• 4x USB-A
• “4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR, thanks to a discrete semi-custom AMD desktop class CPU and GPU.”
• “Steam Machine keeps cool and runs whisper-quiet, even while running the most demanding games.”

The 512 GB model with a controller goes up to $1,128, and the $2 TB model without a controller is $1,349. One last detail is that Valve does not consider the Steam Machine to be a console but rather an extension of PC gaming.

“The traditional console model is to sell hardware at a loss and make up the revenue with subscription services or by selling games that are locked-in to the hardware. We think this can make sense for a single business in the short term but that open ecosystems are better for customers over the long term.”

– Valve

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