Steam Machine release date announcement delayed due to memory shortages

PC gaming giant Valve has delayed announcing the release date of its Steam Machine gaming PC, citing storage and memory shortages and rising prices as the main reason for the delay. 

In a blog post on the Steam Hardware community group, Valve revealed that it initially planned to announce a release date by now when the Steam Machine – as well as its accompanying controller and Steam Frame VR headset – was announced in November. However, due to the rising prices and limited manufacturing capabilities of storage and memory because of the rise of AI, the company says it had to pause its announcements and reassess the device’s pricing and launch timing.

“We have work to do to land on concrete pricing and launch dates that we can confidently announce,” the blog post reads, “being mindful of how quickly the circumstances around both of those things can change. We will keep you updated as much as we can as we finalize those plans as soon as possible.” 

What is the Steam Machine? 

The Steam Machine is a small form factor gaming PC developed by Valve. It acts as a home console-like variant of the Steam Deck, using the same operating system – SteamOS, based on Linux – but with much more powerful hardware. Like the Steam Deck, video games will be specifically certified for the hardware, similarly to a console certification process, ensuring that players get a solid experience out of the box without having to do much tinkering. 

Valve says that the “majority of Steam titles” will be able to be played at 4K resolution at 60fps on the Steam Machine using upscaling tech, although the raw specifications put it more closely in line with the PS5, if not a little bit below. Nonetheless, for PC gamers looking for a mid-range gaming PC in a small form factor for playing on a TV, the Steam Machine will likely be a decent option — provided the price doesn’t balloon too much in light of the recent component shortages. 

When Will the Steam Machine be Released? 

At this point, Valve says it’s aiming to release the Steam Machine, the Steam Controller, and the Steam Frame in the first half of 2026. That timing may shift, however, if the company can’t find a way to hit the price point it wants, or is held up waiting for components. 

While fans are waiting for the specifics, Valve plans to use the delay time to communicate more about the hardware, including its capabilities, specific features, and behind-the-scenes details.