More than 12 years ago, Steam creator Valve attempted to usurp Microsoft's hold on PC gaming by introducing the first Steam Machine. The reliance on Linux and a loose hold on OEM hardware specifications ultimately led to its failure, but Valve is finally in a position to give it a better shot. The new Steam Machine is a compact, powerful PC designed for desks, living rooms, and more, leveraging all of the lessons Valve has learnt with its hugely successful Steam Deck.We're rounding up everything we know about Valve's ambitious push into living room gaming, including confirmed specifications, its release window, potential pricing, and more. Keep checking for more as we update this post with any new information that Valve shares leading up to the Steam Machine's imminent release in 2026.Steam Machine Release DateThe Steam Machine will be released in Q1 2026. Valve announced a trio of new hardware at once, but also didn't provide a firm release date for the new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame VR headset. Instead, it provided a vague release window of "Early 2026," with further clarification limiting this to Q1 of 2026. That means you can expect the Steam Machine to go on sale no later than 31 March 2026, unless Valve runs into unforeseen delays.Steam Machine PriceAnother crucial detail missing from Valve's Steam Machine announcement was its price. The Steam Machine is a PC, and not strictly a console in the traditional sense, which might mean it will be priced higher than expected. That's backed up by statements made by Valve hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat who tempered expectations by reaffirming that the Steam Machine is competing with other similarly powered PCs on the market.Analysts have predicted a price between $400-$500, saying that the lower end of that range would be the "sweet spot" that would put pressure on the likes of Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series X. Valve still sells the SteamOS-powered Steam Deck, starting at $400 for the base LCD model and rising all the way up to $650 for the 1TB OLED model.Steam Machine SpecificationsWhile its price and release date are still a mystery, Valve was far more open with regards to what you're getting with each Steam Machine. The small form factor PC will be sold with two storage options to choose from–namely 256GB and 2TB–while also offering an easy way to install new, larger SSDs in the future.Outside of the storage, each Steam Machine will be identical. It's equipped with a capable AMD Zen CPU, featuring 6 cores and 12 threads with a maximum boost clock speed of 4.8GHz. That's paired with 16GB of DDR5 memory via SODIMM modules, which Valve also says will be accessible for upgrades down the line. Unlike modern consoles, the Steam Machine isn't going with an APU approach, instead settling on a dedicated GPU that is soldered onto the same board as the CPU. This is a AMD RDNA 3 GPU with 28 compute units and 8GB of GDDR5 memory, with many noting that it closely matches the specifications of the AMD RX 7600 from a few years ago.Like the Steam Deck, the Steam Machine will run Valve's impressive SteamOS--a heavily modified version of Linux Arch which turns the operating system into an easy-to-use version of Steam Big Picture mode. While primarily configured for use with Steam, SteamOS still lets users boot into a desktop version of Linux, letting you configure other storefronts (like the Epic Games Store, GOG, and others) as well as install anything from emulators to word processors. It is a PC, after all.You can find the full list of specifications below.CategorySpecificationCPUSemi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T (up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP)GPUSemi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs (2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP)RAM16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAMPowerInternal power supply, AC power 110-240VStorageTwo Steam Machine models (512GB and 2TB) NVMe SSD. MicroSD card slot for additional storage expansionWi-Fi2x2 Wi-Fi 6EBluetoothBluetooth 5.3 dedicated antennaSteam ControllerIntegrated 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wireless adapterDisplayDisplayPort 1.4Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60HzSupports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chainingHDMI 2.0Up to 4K @ 120HzSupports HDR, FreeSync, and CECUSBTwo USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the frontTwo USB-A 2.0 High speed ports in the backOne USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the backNetworkingGigabit ethernetLED Strip17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizabilitySize152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wideWeight2.6 kgOperating SystemSteamOS 3 (Arch-based)DesktopKDE PlasmaThis combination puts the Steam Machine in the same realm as current-gen consoles, with Digital Foundry's Richard Ledbetter stating that it likely sits somewhere between the Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5. While the CPU seems perfectly capable for modern gaming demands, there is some concern with the GPU, specifically with its current memory allocation. Many modern games have had some trouble running well on GPUs with 8GB of VRAM or less, with even the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 offering more bandwidth for game developers (closer to 10GB for each). This limits the Steam Machine when it comes to storing textures in memory, which can become an issue the closer you try and push this towards 4K/ 60FPS gaming that Valve says its PC is capable of.That is caveated with the use of AI-upscaling techniques, specifically AMD's FSR 3 given the GPU limitation of the RDNA 3 architecture over AMD's newer RDNA4. Currently this means that the Steam Machine cannot make use of the better FSR4 upscaling as well as AMD's latest frame generation technology, which would help deliver better higher resolutions experiences. Right now, it seems that Valve is cognizant of the potential price of the Steam Machine and is configuring it appropriately, making its eventual announcement even more crucial to the device's appeal.Steam Machine PeripheralsWhile the Steam Machine will be compatible with most controllers on the market today, including the Xbox Series controller and PlayStation DualSense, Valve will also be shipping a new version of its Steam Controller with the PC.Taking all of the lessons learnt with the controller configuration of the Steam Deck, the Steam Controller looks almost like Valve just removed the large screen from the middle, squished the two ends together, and called it a day. And that's a great thing--the Steam Deck is incredibly comfortable to hold despite not always looking like it, and the same thing seems to be true for the Steam Controller given early hands-on impressions.Unlike Valve's previous controller, this new version comes with two thumbsticks in a symmetrical format, powered by new TMR modules that Valve says combine the accuracy of hall-effect technology with even more reliability. Below them are a pair of haptic touchpads which allow you to easily play mouse-based games, as well as map additional functionality to them depending on your needs. The controller comes with motion control support, which can be used with capacitive sensors that activate as you grip the controller. This can be used in a variety of ways, with Valve using gyro aiming (which you can toggle by simply holding the controller) as a common example.The controller also features new, higher-definition rumble motors for improved vibrations over the Steam Deck, as well as the same analogue triggers and four programmable grip buttons on the back. The controller connects to the Steam Machine, or any other desktop, using a proprietary puck for the fastest and most stable connection. The puck features pogo pin capabilities too, letting you set your Steam Controller onto it for easy charging. The Steam Controller can connect via Bluetooth or wired connections too for more flexibility.Valve says that it will bundle the Steam Controller with the Steam Machine at launch, and also offer the controller to purchase separately. You can find the full specifications below.CategorySpecificationGamepad controlsA B X Y buttonsD-padL & R analog triggersL & R bumpersView & Menu buttonsSteam & QAM buttons4x assignable grip buttonsThumbsticks2x full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) with capacitive touchHaptics4x haptic motors2x LRA haptic motors in trackpads for HD tactile feedback2x High output LRA haptic motors in grips for HD game haptics including rumbleTrackpads2x 34.5mm square trackpads with haptic feedbackPressure-sensitive for configurable click strengthGyro6-axis IMUGrip Sense2x capacitive areas along back of Steam Controller handlesSteam Controller Puck2.4GHz Wireless connection~8ms full end-to-end, 4ms polling rate (measured at 5m)Up to 4 Steam Controllers per Steam Controller PuckSteam Controller Puck connects to PC via USB-CBluetoothBluetooth 4.2 minimum, 5.0 or higher recommendedUSBUSB-C tethered playChargingSteam Controller Puck charging interfaceUSB-C connectorBattery8.39 Wh Li-ion battery35+ hours of gameplay*Battery life for tracked gameplay with Steam Frame is reducedSizeSteam Controller: 111mm x 159mm x 57mmSteam Controller Puck: 50mm x 28mm x 9mmWeightSteam Controller: 292 gSteam Controller Puck: 16 g