Valve launches new Steam Machine
A SteamOS cube with Steam Deck DNA aims to conquer living room gaming in 2026
Valve revives its commitment to living room hardware with a new Steam Machine and Steam Controller, both designed to run SteamOS without an integrated screen, targeting the heart of home gaming.
Following the success of the Steam Deck, Valve is introducing a new device that could redefine the concept of a hybrid console-PC. This “screenless Steam Deck”—as described by Ars Technica—is a compact cube optimized for connecting to televisions or functioning as a desktop replacement, with an architecture that combines a six-core AMD Zen 4 CPU (up to 4.8 GHz) and an RDNA3 GPU with 28 compute units.
What sets it apart? Unlike the failed Steam Machines of 2015, this version leverages the mature SteamOS ecosystem and the accumulated experience of the Steam Deck. Valve isn’t aiming to compete with traditional consoles, but rather to offer a modular, open alternative focused on the PC user who wants convenience without sacrificing power.
The new Steam Controller also returns with ergonomic improvements and full Steam Input compatibility, aiming for a smoother and more customizable experience. Valve promises that both devices will be ready by early 2026, though details on pricing or specific configurations are not yet available.
This move seems less like a nostalgic revival and more like a strategic evolution. Valve has learned that hardware success depends not only on performance, but also on software-hardware integration, community, and flexibility. SteamOS is no longer just a promise: it’s a fully functional platform with Proton support, regular updates, and a growing user base.
If Valve succeeds in positioning the Steam Machine as a home gaming and streaming hub, it could create a new category between consoles and PCs. Its success will depend on ease of use, compatibility with external services (such as Netflix, Discord, etc.), and the ability to attract developers to optimize for SteamOS.
