Valve announced three new hardware devices for release in 2026. The lineup includes the Steam Controller, Steam Frame wireless VR headset, and the Steam Machine compact PC. The Steam Machine runs SteamOS and targets large screen TV gaming. This marks Valve’s second attempt at the Steam Machine concept. The first version from a decade ago used third-party builders and an immature SteamOS with limited game support. SteamOS has since improved significantly, which supports this new effort.
The Steam Machine features a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 processor paired with RDNA3 graphics. Valve targets 4K gaming at 60fps using FSR upscaling. It comes with 16GB DDR5 RAM and 8GB GDDR6 memory. Connectivity includes DisplayPort, HDMI, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth. An LED light bar shows activity. The cooling system uses a 120mm central fan that draws air from sides and base. This design maintains performance in enclosed TV cabinets.
The device focuses on simple living room gaming setups. Pricing details remain unavailable, and it lacks built-in entertainment apps beyond gaming. Several mini PCs under $500 already run SteamOS effectively.
Here are the top alternatives that you can consider –
| Mini PC | Price | Key Specs | Displays | Networking/Ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minisforum Elite Mini M1-1295 | $464 | i9-12950HX, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD | Triple 4K (HDMI, DP, USB-C) | 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6E |
| Aoostar GEM12+ Pro | $499 | Ryzen 7 8845HS, Radeon 780M, 32GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe | Multiple (USB4, HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4) | Dual 2.5GbE, Oculink |
| Minisforum NAB9 | $479 | i9-12900HK (14 cores), 32GB RAM, 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Quad 4K (dual HDMI, dual USB-C) | Dual 2.5GbE, Wi-Fi 6 |
| GMKtec K12 | $500 (was $720) | Ryzen 7 H 255, Radeon 780M, 32GB DDR5, 512GB SSD | Multiple (USB4, HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4) | Dual 2.5GbE, Oculink, Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bosgame P3 Plus | $419 (was $519) | Ryzen 7 7840HS, Radeon 780M, 32GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD | Triple 4K (HDMI, DP, USB-C) | Dual LAN, Wi-Fi 6E |
Honourable mention
The Dell 16 Laptop offers versatility at $430 (was $550). It uses a Ryzen 5 220 with Radeon graphics, 8GB DDR5, and 512GB SSD. The 16-inch 2K IPS screen hits 300 nits brightness. A Passmark score of 25,600 handles multitasking well.
Mini PCs provide SteamOS compatibility without waiting for 2026. They support expansion, multiple displays, and tasks beyond gaming. Black Friday deals make them cost-effective alternatives.
