The Steam Machine, Valve’s ambitious TV-friendly gaming PC, makes its debut on June 29. At $1,049 with a hefty starting price and a $79 bundle offer, it’s clear this isn’t your average gaming device. The machine comes in two versions: one with 512GB of storage for $1,049 and another with 2TB for $1,349, both including exclusive faceplates for the latter.

With its Linux-based SteamOS, a custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and an integrated AMD RDNA3 GPU, this machine is geared towards moderate PC gaming on your TV. But in a year where component prices have soared, it’s unsurprising that Valve had to adjust their pricing upwards from the original vision.

Reflecting on the broader tech industry, this launch mirrors the struggles faced by other companies like Sony and Nintendo, who also had to hike up their prices. And for PC manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo, and HP, it’s just another chapter in the ongoing price war against escalating component costs.

The future remains uncertain; with components still on a volatile path, Valve may yet adjust pricing down the line. For now, gamers will have to decide whether this high-end machine is worth the investment in a market where competition and demand are fierce.