Valve shocked gaming fans in November 2025 when it unveiled two exciting new products: the Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset. However, the company stayed quiet about one crucial detail—the price. Now, a recent leak from a European retailer might have revealed what gamers can expect to pay, and the numbers aren’t encouraging.
As Valve continues expanding the Steam ecosystem with new hardware, many gamers are also exploring Steam marketplace alternatives to manage game purchases, trading, and account-related options more efficiently.
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What the Leak Reveals
A Czech electronics retailer called Smarty may have accidentally exposed the Steam Machine’s pricing. While the product appears on their website, no official price is listed on the public pages. But a clever user named ClawSomeGamer dug into the website’s source code and found something interesting.
Hidden in the code were two prices: 19,826 CZK for the 512GB model and 22,306 CZK for the 2TB version. When converted to US dollars, that’s roughly $950 and $1,070. Those figures are significantly higher than many gamers hoped.
However, there’s an important catch. Smarty reportedly adds a 17% markup to products it sells. If that’s true, the actual manufacturer price could be lower—around $814 for the base model and $916 for the larger storage option. Even these adjusted figures put the Steam Machine in premium territory.
With premium pricing expected for Valve’s new hardware, many gamers may rely on Steam gift cards to manage spending and access games without direct card payments.
How Does It Compare to Other Consoles?
To put these prices in perspective, let’s look at the current console market. Sony’s PlayStation 5 Pro, even with recent price increases, costs less than $800. The Xbox Series X’s most expensive version also stays under that threshold. Meanwhile, the standard PS5 and Xbox Series X models with 1TB storage sell for $499 and $649 respectively.
This means the Steam Machine could cost several hundred dollars more than its closest competitors. That’s a tough pill to swallow for budget-conscious gamers.
There’s another factor to consider. Valve’s own Steam Deck OLED sells for $649 when purchased directly from the company. But third-party sellers on Amazon charge nearly $200 more. This suggests that if Valve sells the Steam Machine directly, prices might be lower than what Smarty listed.
Why Are Prices Rising Everywhere?
Even if this specific leak turns out to be inaccurate, experts expect the Steam Machine to carry a high price tag. The reason? A growing crisis in the tech industry.
Artificial intelligence technology demands massive amounts of computer memory. This has created a severe shortage of RAM and other semiconductors. The shortage affects everything from smartphones and laptops to gaming consoles and computers.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2026, Samsung executives confirmed what many feared. They admitted that prices across the tech sector will continue rising due to semiconductor supply problems. Some industry watchers have nicknamed this situation “RAMaggedon.”
Unfortunately, relief doesn’t appear to be coming soon. Experts don’t expect the memory shortage to improve until sometime in 2027. By the time Valve launches its hybrid console, the price will likely reflect these ongoing supply issues.
What Makes the Steam Machine Special?
Despite the potentially high cost, the Steam Machine offers something unique. It’s designed as a hybrid device—part traditional gaming PC, part gaming console. This dual nature could justify a higher price for some buyers.
The device promises to bring the massive Steam game library into living rooms. Players could enjoy thousands of PC games without needing a full gaming computer. For PC gaming enthusiasts who want a console-like experience, this might be worth the premium.
Take It With Caution
It’s important to remember that nothing is official yet. The prices found in Smarty’s code could be placeholder estimates rather than actual figures. Retailers sometimes list approximate prices before manufacturers announce final costs.
Smarty is reportedly an authorized Valve seller in Europe, which adds some credibility to the leak. But until Valve makes an official announcement, all these numbers remain speculation.
What’s Next?
Valve hasn’t announced a release date for either the Steam Machine or the Steam Frame VR headset. Gamers will need to wait patiently for official news about pricing and availability.
The gaming community is watching closely. If the leaked prices prove accurate, Valve will need to convince buyers that the Steam Machine’s features justify its premium cost. In a market where affordability matters, pricing could make or break this ambitious new console.
For now, hopeful buyers should save their money and wait for Valve’s official word. Only then will we know if the Steam Machine will fit into gaming budgets—or if it’s destined to be a luxury item for dedicated enthusiasts only.
