PS5 age vs Steam Machine price
The PS5, a roughly 6-year-old console now priced around $650, reportedly outperforms the $1,049 Steam Machine in many game benchmarks.
Where this was said
Steam Machine Price Shock: $1,049 Starting Price
At 52:56 · chapter starts 50:30
Andrew drops the numbers: $1,049 for the 512GB model without a controller, $1,128 with the controller, and $1,428 for the 2TB bundle at the top end [1] — Andrew Manganelli "The Steam Machine starts at $1,049 without a controller and tops out at $1,428 with a 2TB drive. Linus Tech Tips had promised to eat a Port…" 50:30 . The community had widely expected something around $700; Linus Tech Tips' host had publicly promised to eat a Portal cake on the WAN Show if it came in over $700. He owes that cake. Andrew contextualizes the prices against the PS5 (approximately $650, roughly 6 years old) and PS5 Pro ($900), both of which reportedly deliver better gaming performance at lower cost. The Steam Machine's only defense is its form factor, quietness, and HDMI CEC integration — none of which show up in a benchmark.
Steam Machine: $1,049 Starting Price Revealed
The Steam Machine starts at $1,049 without a controller and tops out at $1,428 with a 2TB drive. Linus Tech Tips had promised to eat a Portal cake if it cost over $700. He owes everyone a cake.
Steam Machine starting price
The Steam Machine launches at $1,049 for the 512GB model without a controller, rising to $1,128 with the controller bundle.
Steam Machine top-end price
The 2TB Steam Machine bundle with controller tops out at $1,428 — more than the PS5 Pro and about double what enthusiasts expected.
PS5 vs Steam Machine: The Uncomfortable Performance Truth
The PS5 — a 6-year-old console at $650 — reportedly outperforms the $1,049 Steam Machine in many titles. The PS5 Pro clears it even more easily. That's the hardest number to argue with when defending the Steam Machine's value.
Why Valve Refuses to Subsidize the Steam Machine
Valve explicitly said subsidizing hardware would require building a closed ecosystem, which goes against their core values. They want the Steam Machine to compete on its merits, not on a price propped up by locking you into their store.
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