Trending Now - Steam Machine Launch: Pre-orders Introduce Queue System Amid SSD Price Hikes
WHO:
Digital Foundry - Valve engineers are involved in the development of the Steam Machine.
Wccftech - Mike Ybarra, a former Xbox executive, commented on the Steam Machine's potential.
WHAT:
Digital Foundry - The Steam Machine will have four different SKUs identified as 1629460, 1629458, 1629446, and 1629447, with two additional SKUs for Steam Frame options.
Gizmodo - The Steam Machine will support expanded storage through microSD cards.
Digital Foundry - Valve plans to ship four separate versions of the Steam Machine: one with 512GB storage, one with 2TB storage, and bundles of each option that include a Steam Controller.
Wccftech - A reservation queue system will be implemented for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame to prevent scalper markups.
Digital Foundry - The Steam Machine will have a reservation system limiting sales to one per Steam user with a good standing account.
Digital Foundry - The price of 512GB SSDs has increased from $40 to $80, and 2TB models from $140 to $280 due to rising component costs.
WHERE:
Digital Foundry - The Steam Machine and Steam Frame are expected to ship to the United States.
WHEN:
Digital Foundry - Valve aims to ship the Steam Machine and Steam Frame in "the first half of the year," with approximately seven weeks remaining from the time of the announcement.
WHY:
Wccftech - The reservation queue system was introduced to prevent scalpers from buying up units, as seen with the Steam Controller's launch.
HOW:
Gizmodo - To secure a Steam Machine, users must have an active Steam account and have made a purchase on Steam before April 27.
Digital Foundry - The Steam update added support for a reservation system similar to that used for the Steam Controller.
(UPDATED May 11, 2026 23:18 UTC)
The Steam Machine will feature four different SKUs, identified as 1629460, 1629458, 1629446, and 1629447, along with two additional SKUs for Steam Frame options. Users will also be able to expand their storage using microSD cards. To secure a Steam Machine, individuals must have an active Steam account and have made a purchase on Steam prior to April 27.
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(UPDATED May 11, 2026 19:29 UTC)
Valve is gearing up to ship the Steam Machine and Steam Frame to the United States, with plans to release four different versions, including options with 512GB and 2TB of storage. To combat scalper markups, a reservation queue system will limit sales to one unit per Steam user in good standing, mirroring the approach taken during the Steam Controller's launch. Additionally, rising component costs have led to price increases for SSDs, with 512GB models now at $80 and 2TB models at $280.