this post was submitted on 27 May 2026
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Steam Hardware
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Well, here goes the hope for a sub-1000€ Steam machine.
Th 512GB OLED model still cost under 800 Dollars. Steam Machine does not include any OLED display, controller or battery. And it does not need to fit in small size. So there are things that help the Steam Machine compared to a handheld. Let's say you have already a controller and decide to get the cheapest 512GB model of Steam Machine.
The big costs are memory, that affects ram and SSDs. Not having a screen is not going to lower the price much.
Off course not having a screen will lower the price much, especially if we talk about OLED. It does not affect the price as much as memory, but it helps not having it. And that is not even the only thing. Yes, the Steam Machine has some other stuff going on over the Steam Deck, like 8GB of additional VRAM (oof) and bigger and better CPU. I am aware of that and that was not my point. I was talking about all the other non memory stuff, that combined still has impact on the price.
Yeah, but I was saying that it will not offset the price increase from memory related expenses.
I wasn't arguing that? I feel like there is some disconnect in our discussion?
Ahh, I see. Sorry about that.
The conversation so far has been (paraphrasing) ...
What point were you trying to make if not that having no screen/optional controller would offset the increased memory prices?
I think you guys don't read the context of the message. I was responding to:
In which I tried to explain there is hope for a machine under 1000 Euros, because the machine just don't add up in price, but there are parts that make it cheaper to produce. So your paraphrasing therefore incomplete and misleading.
I very much included that context.
Your comment just now once again reaffirms that you were trying to make the case that the machine's lack of screen, battery, and optional controller will indeed offset the expected price increases of the memory.
Everyone here is just trying to tell you that they disagree with your expectation/prediction.
But that's all any of us is doing, after all, is predicting.
We think that the memory increases will be more impactful than not having a screen, battery (super negligible because it needs a power supply anyway), and optional controller, leading to a steam machine that will be over €1,000.
If you do also believe that, absolutely none of your comments make any sense.
I assumed that the Steam Machine would be much more powerful than a four year old budget portable computer.
Instead of a battery + USB power supply, you have a "normal" power supply. The controller parts of the Deck are basically in the Steam Controller, plus the dock/dongle. The Machine has a huge chunk of metal on the chips to dissipate the additional heat, which also adds to the cost. All of this still needs to fit in an incredibly small form factor and has better, more expensive components plus more RAM in total. Add ~20% VAT because that's how prices are calculated in the EU.
I say the cheapest we might see for a variant with included contoller is 900€ and that's probably if we're lucky.
I thought a controller was generally included with consoles?
It will probably come with and without gamepad. As you can use other gamepads too and maybe you have one already. At times like these, having the choice of buying without gamepad to get it 100 Dollars / Euros cheaper is worth a lot.
I absolutely get that it makes sense that a new console comes without a controller, many people already have controllers.
But a controller is also pretty essential, and controllers get worn out too. So a bundling price of the 2 could also be more attractive for most.
A controller is not essential for a PC / Steam Machine. Who says everyone wants to use a controller for the Steam Machine? One could just use mouse and keyboard and that is not wrong. Or another one already purchased the Steam Controller standalone (or has other controllers that could be used). On a console, usually you need the official controller as most controllers won't work. I mean if you have a Xbox or Switch controller, it would not work on a Playstation. But most controllers work on a PC / Steam Machine.
In example, if I were to buy a Steam Machine, I would choose one without controller. Why? Because I have multiple, even a Steam Controller already. There is 0 value for me to pay 100 Euros extra for a controller I would not need. Valve tries to get the price down as much as possible, and having that option is a simple way.
Yes of course you could use it as a PC on a desktop with mouse and keyboard.
I just don't think that will be the typical use, but more with a TV sitting in an armchair or on the couch.
Maybe I'm wrong?
The value in having the controller included default, would only be if the price is lower for the bundle. Since the latest retailed for 99 €, it obviously shouldn't cost 100 € as a bundled part.
I am not arguing that most people will use mouse and keyboard only. But nothing speaks against it and having the option to buy without controller makes sense to me. Even if it costs 70 Euros more with controller, why would I buy it with one? And I am surely not in the minority of having a controller already, and not everyone wants to use a Steam Controller anyway.
All I am saying is, that there will be an option to buy it without controller probably, which helps Valve keep the price down as possible. Which is a very important factor, so that will happen for sure.
There is absolutely nothing necessary about the steam controller. Everything can be done with other controllers or input methods. We have steam input available.
I’ve used the deck and Linux in general on TVs and in desktop setups. I pretty much always need a keyboard and mouse handy for specific things or specific games. Just makes it easier.. like it’s always faster to type text on an honest to god keyboard than any other input methods from voice to motion to touch to sign language. A WiFi keyboard is about the same price as a pizza where I live.