If you’re a gamer, you might have heard about Valve’s recently announced new hardware products for 2026. The internet is abuzz about the new Steam Controller and the new Steam Frame, but the spotlight is on the console-like Steam Machine. With the success of their PC handheld push with the Steam Deck, gamers are eager to see what the gaming giant is capable of once again, this time with something that sits under the TV.
The biggest question is whether it counts as a console or a PC. Traditionally, consoles have had their own locked-down software and hardware with games that have to be made specifically for that platform. Products such as the Steam Machine are aiming to change that. With lines blurring, are we headed towards the convergence of console and PC gaming?
What’s in a box?
The Steam Machine is a sleek cube-shaped computer that’s a lot smaller than the PlayStation 5, but promises to run almost all of the games on the Steam platform. It’s technically a PC, but shaped more like a console, and hence serves as a substitute for a lot of its target audience. Endearingly called “Gabecube” by the community — a portmanteau referencing Valve’s founder Gabe Newell and Nintendo’s GameCube — it promises the same kind of experience as the Steam Deck, but in a more powerful package.
The Steam Machine is powered by a customized AMD Zen 4 CPU and an RDNA3 GPU at 110W TDP. What does this mean for gamers? Powered by the collaboration with AMD on both hardware and software, the system is designed to support 4k gaming with ray tracing at 60fps on many titles. Valve has mandated that the system will be enough to run every game on Steam at 4k 60Hz with upscaling technology. According to the company, it’s six times more powerful than the Steam Deck, meaning the majority of current AAA games should run without any problems.
Aside from that, what sets the Steam Machine apart is the upgradable RAM. Much like a PC, you can replace the standard SO-DIMM modules and add more memory to the default 16GB DDR5 RAM. You can also upgrade the SSD to add more storage, since the included 512GB may not be enough if you have several AAA games. The system is also customizable with a very sleek-looking RGB LED strip. Meanwhile, the magnetic front panel is also detachable, as showcased by Valve; it’s easy to customize it and make it your own. The company is even going as far as making the CAD files available for 3D printing enthusiasts.
While there have been several in-depth videos of the hardware, what we don’t have as of writing is the pricing. That didn’t stop the rest of the internet from speculating the possible pricetag as affected by the tariffs and the skyrocketing price of RAM. However, only time will tell how accessible, pricing-wise, the product will be to casual gamers.
Console, PC, or both?
Going back to the original question — is the Steam Machine a console or a PC? Technically, it’s a PC that can do anything that a desktop computer can in terms of gaming, productivity, or entertainment. Unlike most computers, however, it runs on SteamOS, which is most popularly seen on the Steam Deck. The interface is a lot like one you would see on a PS or Xbox, which gives it a console-like quality.
One thing to note is that SteamOS is a Linux-based platform that originally couldn’t run Windows-based games, but with Valve’s Proton hardware translation layer, it’s estimated that about 90% of Windows games now run on Linux and thus, SteamOS. Valve’s push for an alternate OS for gaming has certainly worked wonders for the enthusiast market, but the biggest hurdle is the developer support.
Many multiplayer games have anti-cheat systems that don’t support Linux. Other developers have also declined to support the platform due to fears of security and its minuscule market share compared to Windows. Popular games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, GTA Online, and League of Legends will not run on the Steam Machine by default, which means that many gamers will not consider it a viable console alternative.
Aside from Valve, Microsoft’s new Xbox ROG Ally system is also taking a similar approach. The Xbox ROG Ally and most other Windows systems will have a console-like controller interface, which means pretty much any gaming-capable Windows machine or handheld can replace a console with fewer hitches. With hundreds of options from gaming laptops, PC handhelds, and mini PC’s with a similar form factor to the Steam Machine. If it’s a PC being used solely for a console purpose, are we still considering it a PC?
Early rumors suggest the next Xbox console will take a similar approach, just being a PC with a console interface. Microsoft and Valve are taking a different approach by making PC gaming more accessible, with both hardware and software bridging the gap for a more console-like experience. So with everything considered, the Steam Machine is still definitely a PC as opposed to a console with a closed ecosystem. Valve has even said that they’re considering it a PC, and will be priced accordingly.
YouTube: Steam Hardware Announcement
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Photo credit: The feature image is symbolic and has been taken by Thomas Delacrétaz.
Sources: Mark Tyson (Tom’s Hardware) / Paulo Montenegro (Ubergizmo)
