--- title: "Valve Explains Why the Steam Machine is So Expensive" url: https://daily.dev/posts/valve-explains-why-the-steam-machine-is-so-expensive-exed17qt7 source_url: https://80.lv/articles/valve-explains-why-the-steam-machine-is-so-expensive-not-original-goal type: article source: "80 LEVEL" published: 2026-06-23T19:31:57.535Z updated: 2026-06-23T19:32:17.570Z tags: ["gaming", "steamos"] reading_time: 3 upvotes: 37 comments: 12 language: en --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://daily.dev/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Valve Explains Why the Steam Machine is So Expensive **[80 LEVEL](https://daily.dev/sources/80lv)** · 3 min read · 37 upvotes · 12 comments ## Summary Valve has explained why the new Steam Machine starts at $1,049, citing rising component costs for RAM and storage that made their original pricing goal unviable. The company also addressed supply constraints that limited launch unit availability. Philosophically, Valve defended its decision not to subsidize the hardware at a loss, arguing that selling below cost to recoup through software or a closed ecosystem goes against the open nature of PC gaming. The result is a device more expensive than Valve originally intended. ## Full article daily.dev links to this article rather than hosting it. Read it at the original source: ## Community discussion Top comments from developers on daily.dev. **@akkitto** · 10 upvotes > It's not expensive for what it offers. Again, looking at only the specs is like judging a car only by its tires and nothing else. **@outofthevoid** · 6 upvotes > It is not a console and it never was supposed to be. > > It is a living room PC with the highest WAF possible, optimized for instant play and compatibility with TV sets, ... > > Sure the price tag is high, but the hardware market is totally fucked these days, so I completely agree with their decisions. **@devdavidt** · 4 upvotes > Because everything that Valve does is expensive 😁 **@adampagano** · 3 upvotes > I really don't understand all the hate Valve is getting over the Steam Machine. They have been very open about the costs. They have neither incentive or reason to tell the hardware at a loss. Price wise, it is still competitive given the state of hardware in the market. **@gerark** · 3 upvotes > It's a fucking minipc. I dare anyone trying to build something like that for less with this market. Comparing how it performs vs a PS5 is like comparing a PC with the same specs of a PS5 and complaining things don't match. Games are usually way more optimized for a target console compared to a generic PC... I guess it's too hard as a concept. ## Similar posts on daily.dev - [Valve admits Steam Machine is "more expensive" than it hoped](https://daily.dev/posts/valve-admits-steam-machine-is-more-expensive-than-it-hoped-5ffq5eqc4) · GamesIndustry.biz · 8 upvotes · 1 comments --- Tags: [#gaming](https://daily.dev/tags/gaming), [#steamos](https://daily.dev/tags/steamos) [View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/valve-explains-why-the-steam-machine-is-so-expensive-exed17qt7)