this post was submitted on 22 Jun 2026
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It's not worth it to offer it. The steam machine is going to sell out regardless of the price, just like the steam deck did even after the price hikes. Not because there's going to be such demand, but because supply is still constrained.
A model without RAM is going to cost valve extra to support (troubleshooting and whatnot), so why bother when you can just sell the unit that comes with the RAM.
Is it? It's not like Valve has shut down the 'pre-order' page. If they already manufactured the devices, they should of had lower RAM prices, and if they haven't completed manufacturing and have to pay elevated pricing, seems like a device that you don't release currently. Especially since the device is mostly off the shelf parts, and SteamOS improvements have been the real selling point. I am not sure what Valve is thinking, releasing a device that underperforms a PS5 Pro, which is $200 less and comes with a 2TB drive and a controller.
Valve has zero obligation to throw gamers a bone, but the pricing on the Steam Machine seems incredibly bone headed., especially with as much competition for handhelds in that price bracket which will perform similar to the Steam Machine and have screens and controllers built in. And many of them you can install SteamOS on and have the same experience.
So here's the thing. Right off the bat it's hard to take you seriously when you don't even seem to understand how the pre-order works for the Steam Machine -- and that's even with me agreeing with at least some of your overall sentiment. What compelling reason would they have to shut down the pre-order page earlier than advertised?
Honestly, none of us really know for sure 100% factually whether the Steam Machine will sell out or not, but it's hard to take your questioning of it seriously when your understanding is so limited, and that's the nice way of putting it.
Personally, I won't be surprised either way. I suspect it will sell out, but like you, me, and millions (billions?) of other people, I also know that the price is laughable when appraised only by specs and anticipated performance metrics, so it also would not surprise me if they struggle with sales.