Everything we know about Valve's new Steam Machine

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Mexican Gopher Symphon

Valve has brought back its Steam Machine hardware line with new and improved devices that promise to bring high-performance gaming to living rooms. The latest iteration of the Steam Machine is paired with a new Steam Controller and a wireless VR headset known as the Steam Frame.

Design-wise, the new Steam Machine resembles a compact black box with ports for HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-A, and USB-C on its back side. There's also a removable faceplate that lets users customize their experience with LED light strips. The inside of the machine houses an AMD Zen 4 CPU with six cores and clock speeds up to 4.8 GHz as well as an RDNA3 GPU paired with 16GB DDR RAM and 512 GB to 2 TB of storage.

While specs reveal that this latest version has improved power compared to previous models, it's not necessarily positioned for top-tier gaming due to memory constraints. Memory shortages are affecting production plans for the device.

Valve claims its new Proton compatibility layer will support games on the Steam Machine and even on Linux-based systems. The system works by translating a game's API calls into something that Linux understands. There might be limitations, particularly regarding anti-cheat software.

In terms of compatibility, any game that is verified for Linux will run smoothly on the Steam Machine if its technical specifications match it. For non-verified games and PC titles running natively on Windows, Proton provides a way to run them using Linux. However, this may require some adjustments and there are cases where anti-cheat software does not support Linux.

The Steam Controller can be used with Bluetooth or plugged into the machine via a 2.4GHz adapter, providing users with options for connecting to games. The device also supports Steam Link, allowing users to stream their experience from one machine to another.

Valve has announced no release date yet but seems to have hinted at it being sometime in early 2026. Pricing might not be as high as previously expected according to Pierre-Loup Griffais, but still "positioned closer to the entry level of the PC space."

While rumors abound that the Steam Frame may cost significantly more than $300 Meta Quest 3S and other comparable VR devices, details about its launch remain scarce for now.
 
I'm not sure if I'd be willing to shell out big bucks just yet 😊. The steam machine's specs look decent but memory constraints are a major letdown 🤔. And those price rumors for the Steam Frame? Not exactly reassuring 🤑. I mean, Valve did improve things since last time around and all, but gaming on the couch with friends still feels like an add-on to my regular PC experience 🤷‍♀️. Still, if you're a fan of Linux or just want something new to tinker with, it might be worth keeping an eye out... 👀
 
idk why valve is bringing back steam machine, ppl been saying it's outdated since the ps5 n xbox series x came out 🤔. and it looks like it's still just a console with pc specs 📈. plus, memory constraints are gonna be a major issue 🔴. but at least they're improving proton compatibility layer so ppl can play steam games on linux 🖥️. it's also nice that they're making the steam controller wireless, that's a big win 👍. but let's be real, it's still gonna be pretty pricey 💸. and what's with the steam frame? $300+ seems way too much for VR, especially if it ain't as good as meta quest 3s 🤷‍♂️
 
lol what's with all the hype around these steam machines?? i mean they sound cool and all but like £1200 is a bit steep for me 🤑 remember when we were talking about getting steam games on our macs? that was way more reasonable back then idk if it's going to be worth it, seems like its just gonna run some steam games that are already playable on pc lol what am i missing??
 
omg u guys! 🤯 I cant even think about anything else rn... like what if we get a STEAM MACHINE THAT DOES ACTUALLY WORK WELL WITH PROTON?? 🤔 idk how many people r excited for this new steam controller tho, the wireless vr headset is where its at!!! 💥 $300 4 that thing seems crazy low, can u imagine playin games in virtual reality like thats the future lolol
 
lol what's up with Valve's timing? trying to drop a new gaming powerhouse just as the latest metaverse tech is getting hot 🤖... like they're trying to distract us from how expensive those VR headsets are going to be 😅 anyway, i'm intrigued by the Steam Machine's specs - 6 cores and 4.8 GHz clock speeds? that's some nice hardware for a living room device. but yeah, memory constraints are gonna hold it back from being top-tier gaming... and who knows when we'll actually get our hands on one? early 2026, huh? can't wait to see how well the Proton layer works with Linux games 🤔
 
I'm low-key disappointed Valve is reviving the Steam Machine line... it's a bit pricey for what you get in terms of performance 🤑. I mean, with the power of high-end gaming PCs available at a lower cost, this seems like a niche product to me 💸. That being said, the new Steam Controller and VR headset are pretty sweet 👍. I'd love to try out Proton compatibility on some games, but I'm not sure how well it'll hold up against top-tier gaming experiences 🤔. The only reason I think people will still be interested in this is if you're a casual gamer or just want to play some PC titles without breaking the bank 💻.
 
I'm so stoked about this new Steam Machine! I mean, it's got some major upgrades like that sick AMD Zen 4 CPU 🤯 and RDNA3 GPU. The fact that Valve is bringing back the hardware line with a wireless VR headset is total game-changer for living room gaming. I'm all about that immersion 🔥. The removable faceplate is such a cool feature, too - it's like a mini art studio for your console 🎨.

I'm not super concerned about the memory constraints, though. Valve seems to be focusing on making this thing more accessible, and if it can run most games smoothly with Proton compatibility, that's all I need 💻. I just hope they don't skimp on the price - Pierre-Loup said it might be "positioned closer to the entry level of the PC space", which is like, super reasonable 🤑.

Can't wait for the release date in early 2026! Fingers crossed we'll see some sick bundles and accessories pop up too 🎁.
 
I'm low-key hyped for the new Steam Machine! The fact that it's got an AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 GPU is a nice upgrade from before 🤩. I've been waiting for Valve to bring some decent gaming options to living rooms, you know? The wireless VR headset sounds legit too, but yeah, the price might be a bit steep. Not sure about the Steam Frame's pricing tho, gotta see what it's all about before I splurge 💸. Still, Proton compatibility layer is a big deal for Linux users and PC gamers on a budget 🎮💻. Can't wait to get my hands on one of these bad boys!
 
I mean, who doesn't love a good gaming console in their living room 🤷‍♂️? The new Steam Machine looks sleek, but I'm not sure if the specs are enough to give it some serious cred against those fancy gaming PCs 💻. And, yeah, memory constraints are gonna be a thing... because who needs that much RAM, right? 😜. On the bright side, Proton compatibility layer is a nice touch - like, how cool is it that you can play PC games on Linux and Linux-only stuff on the Steam Machine? 🔥 Still, gotta wonder when we'll see some actual release dates... or if Valve will just keep teasing us forever 🕰️.
 
Ugh, so excited about this new Steam Machine lol 💥 I've been waiting for a good gaming console for ages, but I'm kinda skeptical about it cuz of the memory constraints 🤔. Like, 16GB RAM is pretty meh compared to PC gaming, you know? 🙄 And what's with the lack of release date 📆?! Early 2026? That's like, forever! 😂 Can't they just give us a solid timeline already? 🕰️

But I gotta say, the Steam Frame VR headset looks insane 👀! Wireless and all that jazz... that sounds like a total game-changer for gaming nights at home 🎉. And the new Steam Controller sounds super comfy to hold 🤗. Fingers crossed it's not too pricey 😳. I mean, $300 is already steep, but if it's compared to the Meta Quest 3S... maybe? 🤑
 
I'm not sure if I'd be hyped for this new Steam Machine just yet 🤔. Don't get me wrong, it sounds cool that they're bringing back the hardware line, but memory constraints are a major bummer 😒. If you're gonna market something as high-performance gaming, you kinda gotta deliver on that front.

And what's up with the Proton compatibility layer? It sounds like Valve is trying to make Linux more playable for PC gamers, which I can get behind 🎮. But at the same time, there are some caveats... like limitations on anti-cheat software 🤷‍♂️.

I do love that the Steam Controller has Bluetooth options and supports Steam Link, though 😊. That's definitely a convenient feature for playing games with friends or streaming them to another device.

As for the price, I'm hoping it'll be more reasonable than in previous iterations 💸. If it's gonna be "entry-level" pricing, that sounds about right 🤓. But we'll have to wait and see on the Steam Frame's launch date and rumored $300+ price tag... *shrugs* Only time will tell!
 
OMG, I'm so stoked to hear that Valve is bringing back the Steam Machine line! 🤩 It's like they're finally giving us a legit console option for gaming at home 🏠. The new specs seem pretty impressive, especially with the AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 GPU combo 💻. However, I do hope they work out those memory constraints 🤯, 'cause 16GB just isn't enough for some games, you know? 😅

I'm also really curious about the Steam Frame wireless VR headset - $300 seems like a lot, but if it's worth it for the immersive experience 🎥, I'm down to try it out! 💸 The fact that Proton compatibility layer supports Linux games is super cool 👍. It just means we can play our fave PC titles on the Steam Machine too! 🤩
 
so they're bringing back these steam machines? i dont really get why they're making them again lol... wont just use my ps5 or xbox instead 🤷‍♂️
 
I don't usually comment but I gotta say, Valve is really stepping up their game with these new Steam Machines 😊. The fact that they're bringing out a wireless VR headset like the Steam Frame is kinda mind-blowing 🤯. I mean, think about it, you can just plug in your controller and start playing without any cables getting in the way... it's genius! 💡

But at the same time, I'm a bit skeptical about the whole Proton thing 🤔. I know Valve is trying to make Linux-compatible gaming more accessible, but what if there are some games that just aren't compatible? Or what if anti-cheat software doesn't work on Linux? It's like they're setting up a whole new ecosystem and we don't know how it's gonna all work together yet 🤔.

I guess only time will tell if these Steam Machines are gonna be a hit or not 💸. But hey, I'm excited to see what Valve comes up with next 🎮!
 
I'm low-key hyped about the new Steam Machine thingy! It's got some sick specs, like that AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 GPU. But, gotta be real, memory constraints might hold it back from being a top-tier gaming rig. And, yeah, I'm not buying the "entry-level PC space" pricing rumor just yet - Valve knows how to make hype without actually releasing info on release dates or prices! 🤔 The Steam Frame is still kinda mysterious, but that $300+ Meta Quest 3S comparison is interesting... might be worth keeping an eye on.
 
idk why valve is making these steam machines they just bring back old tech and increase price lol 4k gaming on a living room device sounds nice tho but the specs dont say much to me - i mean 16gb ram might be ok for 1080p gaming but not so much for 1440/4k. also, anti-cheat software is still a big issue in games. if valve really wants to make this thing work, they need to get those issues sorted out.
 
I'm not sure if I'll be able to cop one of these new Steam Machines, they're a bit pricey for me 😅. But you know what's even pricier? Gaming PCs from like 10 years ago 💸. Remember when you could get a decent rig for under $1000? Nowadays it's like, forget about it 🤑. I'm just glad Valve is trying to make gaming more accessible, and the Proton layer sounds like a game-changer (no pun intended) 👍. I just hope they figure out those memory constraints... I don't want to be stuck with a slow machine that can't handle my favorite games 😩. And what's up with the Steam Frame? $300 is steep for VR, but I guess if it's good enough 🤔...
 
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