Even with an uncertain tariff landscape and AI’s increasing demand making RAM costlier than ever, Valve is still committed to releasing its highly anticipated second-generation Steam Machine, alongside the next-gen Steam Controller and Steam Frame, sometime in 2026. However, its arrival might not be as early as initially promised.
Earlier this week, the gaming giant published a blog post that provided an ambiguous update on the launch of the second-generation Steam Machine, which was originally slated for an early 2026 release. It stated: “We hope to ship in 2026, but as we shared recently, memory and storage shortages have created challenges for us.” This announcement quickly gained traction within the gaming community, with some attributing the mini PC’s potential delay to the surge in AI demand.
However, this specific reference was later removed from Valve’s website. Valve then revised the blog post to confirm it “will be shipping all three products this year.”
The upcoming Steam Machine is a portable mini PC, encased in a 6-inch black cube, specifically designed to allow users to play games from their Steam library on their TV screen. It runs on the same Linux-based operating system that powers the Steam Deck. Its announcement in November coincided with the unveiling of the next-gen Steam Controller and the VR headset, the Steam Frame, positioning Valve to compete with devices such as the Meta Quest.
Even if this portable gaming PC makes it to market this year, it still represents a shift from Valve’s initial plan for an early January 2026 rollout, a timeframe announced last November when the new product lineup was first revealed. Addressing these concerns, Valve PR representative Kaci Aitchison Boyle commented to The Verge in a statement that “nothing has actually changed on our end.”
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The worldwide chip shortage appears unlikely to alleviate in the near future. Last February, Nvidia’s finance chief, Colette Kress, predicted in an interview with Reuters that the scarcity of gaming chips would persist until the close of 2026, as demand from the AI industry continues to outstrip that from console sales.
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As a reporter, I focus on weekend news for PCMag, which I joined in 2024. My previous work has appeared in esteemed publications such as BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.
My journey as a PC gamer began in an era when installing games required a stack of CD-ROMs. In my reporting, I’m particularly fascinated by how technology intersects with everyday human experiences. My portfolio spans a diverse range of topics, from uncovering crypto scandals and exploring the art world, to delving into conspiracy theories, UK politics, and international relations concerning Russia.
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