None of us saw this coming – certainly not Microsoft. In a surprise reveal to US media, Valve unveiled its latest and only its second Steam Machine, a console-style PC alongside a new controller and VR headset. All targeted for an early 2026 release in the US.
The move comes at a time when the industry is shifting hard: just weeks ago, rumours surrounding Microsoft next-generation Xbox suggested the company is preparing a hybrid console/PC platform – one that combines the plug-and-play ease of a console with the openness and upgradeability of a gaming PC.
Valve’s new Steam Machine is built upon its experience with the successful Steam Deck, but scaling it for the lounge-friendly TV experience. According to demos shown at its head office, the hardware uses a an AMD Zen 4 6-core CPU and an RDNA 3 class GPU, fitted into a compact cube chassis with console-style connectivity and microSD expansion for game libraries.
