Steam Machine price rumor gains attention after Czech retailer listing

Everyone is eagerly awaiting updates about the Steam Machine, especially with Valve indicating a release window of "Early 2026," which means we could see it launch at any time. Fueling the anticipation further, two prominent Czech retailers have posted prices for the device on their websites, with Smarty.cz offering the 2TB version for slightly over $1050, and Alza.cz pricing it just below $1200. The 512GB version is being listed for about $950; these figures are before sales tax (VAT).

Alza operates a Slovak site that functions in Euros, and it too has a listing for the Steam Machine. Currently, it shows the 2TB model at €1010 ($1175), excluding sales tax. You can find the source code of both retailers' Steam Machine product pages below, thanks to @Hajedan on Twitter/X.

Once VAT (sales tax) is included, the price of the 2TB model could rise to nearly $1300, significantly higher than my initial expectations. The 512GB model would then potentially cost around $1150 with VAT applied. The Slovak Alza website lists the price in Euros with VAT as €1239.90 ($1440).

There are additional factors to consider, like the fact that technology tends to be pricier in Czechia compared to the US. For instance, the PS5 Slim Digital console sells for about $600 (after tax) in Czechia, while in the US, they usually go for around $490.

Thus, it wouldn't be unexpected for the Steam Machine (512GB) to launch with a pre-tax price of roughly $800, and the 2TB version at approximately $900. All of this is merely conjecture, of course, and these retailers could just be selecting a relatively secure number at random as a placeholder.

Considering the recent RAM shortage issue, it would be challenging to construct a comparable PC for this price at the moment, so if you're seeking a way to enter PC gaming, the Steam Machine could still offer reasonable value. However, it might not be the affordable entry point that some had hoped for, unlike the Steam Deck, which was for handhelds, assuming these prices hold true.

Conversely, if you’re looking for a handheld device that is well-established, finely tuned for top-tier performance, and crafted for serious gaming on the go, the ROG Ally emerges as an exceptional choice. With its long-lasting battery life, enhanced ergonomics, and complete Windows functionality, it exemplifies the aspirations for future handheld gaming. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.