The Steam Machine is nowhere near releasing, but a new leak is now claiming that it is expected to arrive with a price tag of over $1,000.
As for what or who is to blame for this whopping price tag, fingers are being pointed at Valve.
Steam Machine Leak: Over $1000 Price Tag
The leak comes from Jez Corden, a journalist primarily known for reliable Xbox news, who said that last year, he heard that when the Steam Machine was first announced in November, Valve was planning to charge $1,000 for the console.
That was the price being discussed when the machine was originally scheduled to be released in the first quarter of 2026.
According to Corden, "I'll be honest with you... I heard, last year when it was first announced, it was gonna be $1000...from a very, very good source, like a very good source."
That $1,000 figure was tied to a machine that was supposed to launch months ago, but given everything that has happened since that original announcement, the price at launch could be notably higher than initial rumors.
More Expensive Steam Machine Expected
The Steam Machine has been pitched as essentially a living room console, aimed to compete with the likes of PS5 and Xbox Series X. At over $1,000, it would cost considerably more than what Sony and Microsoft are currently charging for older machines.
Valve is also facing a "psychological" problem, according to ComicBook Gaming, as once a price climbs past $1,000, the optically significant threshold has already been crossed.
Whether the machine ends up at $1,100 or $1,400, the perception from potential buyers is roughly the same as fans round it up to $1,500, and this puts Valve at a tricky position when it tries to sell the Steam Machine as a console rival.
Valve's Delays Worsened Steam Machine Pricing
The Steam Machine was delayed after Valve said it needed more time to calculate the price and assess other factors. It should be noted, however, that from November 2025 up until early 2026, AI caused has microchip prices to skyrocket. Alongside this, broader global economic pressure contributed to the rising costs that have since gotten worse as of writing.
According to Corden and ComicBook Gaming's report, Valve's $1,000 pricing for the Steam Machine back in November 2025 would be different now as it could definitely cost more. It is important to note that Valve recently raised the prices for the Steam Deck handheld console.
As of press time, there are no new announcements from Valve about the Steam Machine's pricing and exact release date.
