Valve has announced three new hardware devices coming in 2026: the Steam Controller, the Steam Frame (a wireless VR headset), and topping the list is the Steam Machine, a compact PC that runs SteamOS, allowing users to play games on a big-screen TV.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because Valve announced the same thing a decade ago, but Steam Machine relied on third-party builders and an early SteamOS that struggled to support games.
Valve thinks now is the time to try again, as SteamOS has become a much stronger platform.
The new Steam Machine uses a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 processor with an RDNA3 graphics configuration. Valve says the device is designed for 4K60 playback with the help of FSR and includes 16GB of DDR5 and 8GB of GDDR6.
The system supports DisplayPort and HDMI and includes Wi Fi 6E, Bluetooth, and an LED light bar that reflects activity.
The cooling design is unusually large for a system of this size. A 120mm fan sits in the center of the airflow path and the chassis draws air from the sides and base to maintain stable performance even when placed in enclosed TVs.
Although Steam Machine is aimed at gamers who want a simple setup in their living room, it likely won’t be cheap (the exact price is currently unknown) and won’t include dedicated entertainment apps.
There are plenty of affordable mini PCs that can run SteamOS with little work and also perform other tasks, like streaming. Here are five of our favorites to consider (with a bonus option at the end), some of which are currently discounted for Black Friday.
Best alternatives to steam machines
Consider a laptop
