Valve has yet to disclose pricing or a firm release date for its newly unveiled Steam Machine, but fresh listings from Czech retailers are offering the first clues about how much the console-style PC may cost.
The initial figures surfaced after Czech electronics retailer Smarty quietly listed the Steam Machine with prices set at approximately $950 for the 512GB model and $1,070 for the 1TB version, excluding taxes. The listings were not publicly visible and were instead discovered within the site’s source code by users tracking the product.
Grain of Salt: Steam Machine Price Leaked ($1000+ for 2TB)
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Shortly after, similar prices appeared on Alza, one of the largest electronics sellers in the Czech Republic. The matching figures from two separate retailers have fueled speculation that these numbers may be close to Valve’s intended pricing, though both listings could still represent placeholders rather than finalised retail costs.
Industry observers caution against drawing firm conclusions. Retail prices typically include store markups, which can significantly inflate costs compared to manufacturer-direct sales. For example, Smarty currently lists the Steam Deck OLED (512GB) at roughly $633 before VAT, while Valve sells the same configuration for $549 in its own store. That gap suggests a markup of around 15 per cent.
Applying a similar margin to the Steam Machine listings would place potential U.S. pricing closer to $826 for the 512GB version and about $930 for the 1TB model. While still expensive, those figures would be more competitive than the raw retail listings initially suggest.
Positioned as a console-style PC
Valve has described the Steam Machine as a console-like experience built around PC hardware, blurring the line between traditional consoles and compact gaming PCs. That positioning naturally invites comparisons with current-generation systems such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Even at adjusted estimates, the Steam Machine would likely carry a noticeable premium over both, reflecting its PC-based architecture rather than a subsidized console model.
Unlike Sony or Microsoft, Valve is not expected to sell hardware at a loss to drive software sales. Instead, the company appears intent on pricing the Steam Machine like a standard small-form-factor gaming PC, consistent with its broader hardware strategy.
Supply pressures and launch timing
The uncertainty around pricing may also be tied to ongoing supply chain pressures. A global shortage of NAND flash memory has driven up the cost of storage components, a critical factor for a device offered in high-capacity configurations. Rising component prices limit Valve’s flexibility, even if it wanted to maintain tight margins.
Valve first revealed the Steam Machine in mid-November last year and has suggested a possible launch window in the first quarter of 2026. With no official confirmation yet on pricing or availability, the retailer listings have intensified interest and speculation.
For now, the numbers emerging from Czech retailers provide the clearest indication yet of where Steam Machine pricing might land—but until Valve makes an official announcement, they remain educated guesses rather than final answers.
