Valve just dropped a major announcement: the Steam Machine is real! Part of a new lineup that also includes the updated Steam Controller and the Steam Frame headset, this compact console-style device is designed to bring the full Steam experience straight to your living room.
You can watch the announcement here:
Set to release in early 2026, the Steam Machine has over six times the power of the Steam Deck, delivering 4K 60FPS gaming with AMD FSR support, and runs Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS.
It is essentially a tiny gaming PC, but built with the “plug-and-play” simplicity of a console.
Designed for Steam, Built Like a PC
The Steam Machine runs SteamOS 3, Valve’s gaming operating system, since it is optimized for quick suspend/resume, cloud saves, and an overall smooth experience. But it is still a PC at heart, you can even install Windows, run your own apps, or use it as a home media hub if you prefer.
It also supports all the usual hardware connections:
- DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 (up to 4K/120Hz)
- Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3
- One USB-C and four USB-A ports
- Expandable storage via microSD, on top of the built-in 512GB or 2TB SSD options
And yes, it even includes a customizable RGB LED strip, and you can customize the front plate for that little bit of style!
Made for Steam Controller and Steam Deck Players
The new Steam Controller pairs directly with the Steam Machine thanks to a built-in low-latency adapter, meaning no dongles are needed. You will be able to wake the console straight from your couch, just like with traditional consoles.
It also plays perfectly with the Steam Deck. You can stream games between devices or use the Steam Machine as a host PC.
Serious Power in a Tiny Box
Despite being roughly a 6-inch cube, the Steam Machine comes with the following specs:
- AMD Zen 4 CPU (6 cores / 12 threads, up to 4.8GHz)
- AMD RDNA3 GPU with 28 Compute Units
- 16GB DDR5 RAM + 8GB VRAM
- 4K 60FPS gameplay with FSR
- Cool and whisper-quiet operation
With the Steam Deck, Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and the upcoming Steam Frame VR headset, Valve is clearly building a connected Steam hardware ecosystem. They are all running SteamOS and sync with your Steam library.
You can expect your full game library, achievements, and everything else, to carry over across all devices.
Launch Window
The Steam Machine launches early 2026, with more details expected throughout next year. Valve also plans to expand its Deck Verified program to include Steam Machine and Steam Frame, helping players understand how each game performs on each device!
If you ever wanted a tiny console that can play all your steam games, this might be the one! Prices are still a mystery, but we can expect them to be revealed beginning of next year!
For more information and guides, keep an eye on our latest news!
