Valve reveals the latest Steam Machine and introduces the innovative Steam Controller
Valve is set to redefine home gaming with the announcement of its latest Steam Machine and Steam Controller. Designed to provide a console-like experience for PC gamers, these new devices are expected to launch in early 2026.
Introducing the Steam Machine
The Steam Machine operates much like a traditional console but is essentially a compact PC running on Linux-based SteamOS. Key features of the Steam Machine include:
- Customizable front plate
- LED light strip
- USB-A port and microSD card slot on the front
- DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and Ethernet ports on the back
Under the hood, the Steam Machine is powered by a “semi-custom AMD Zen 4” CPU and a “semi-custom AMD RDNA3” GPU. It boasts:
- 16GB DDR5 RAM
- 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Storage options of 512GB or 2TB SSD
Valve claims the Steam Machine offers roughly six times the performance of the Steam Deck. Gamers can expect 4K gaming at 60 FPS, enhanced by FSR technology. Furthermore, the Steam Machine will enable users to stream resource-intensive games to the Steam Deck, Steam Frame VR headset, or any device using Steam Link.
The Innovative Steam Controller
Complementing the Steam Machine is the newly designed Steam Controller. This device combines various input methods from the Steam Deck into a wireless format, featuring:
- Analog sticks
- Face buttons
- Grip buttons
- Triggers and bumpers
- Trackpads and gyro controls for enhanced precision
The Steam Controller connects via Bluetooth or wired connection, and it includes a charging dongle that acts as a wireless transmitter for optimal performance. Users can customize their input settings for each game, and share their profiles with other players. Notably, this controller will also be compatible with any device that runs Steam, including the Steam Deck and Steam Machine.
Pricing and Availability
While Valve has not revealed official pricing for the Steam Machine or Steam Controller, early impressions suggest that the company aims to keep them competitively priced with similar PCs and controllers. However, given the advanced features and performance, these new devices may not be as budget-friendly as the original $400 Steam Deck.
The gaming community eagerly anticipates these innovative launches from Valve, which promise to enhance the gaming experience in the living room.
