For years, PC gamers have been chained to their desks, surrounded by cables, monitors, and mechanical keyboards.
But soon, they might not have to be.
Valve, the company behind the massive PC gaming platform Steam, has unveiled a new device designed to move that experience into the living room. Here’s what’s playing out…
Valve brings PC gaming to the couch with new Steam Machine
Called the Steam Machine, the compact, cube-shaped console aims to bring desktop-level gaming performance to the comfort of the sofa.
The company confirmed that it will launch in early 2026, although pricing details are still under wraps, according to Mybroadband.
Running on SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system first introduced with the Steam Deck, the Steam Machine will grant players full access to their existing Steam libraries, this time, on the big screen and in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.
“We’ve been super happy with the success of Steam Deck, and a lot of the feedback we’ve received from gamers about it is what encouraged us to expand the options for Steam users,” Valve said in a statement.
What to expect
The Steam Machine will ship in two models, a 512GB and a 2TB version, and can be purchased either alone or bundled with Valve’s newly designed Steam controller.
Valve’s announcement marks a renewed push into the console space, one historically dominated by Sony’s PlayStation, Microsoft’s Xbox, and Nintendo’s Switch.
Despite those giants, Valve has one major advantage: a built-in audience of more than 40 million daily Steam users.
This, however, isn’t Valve’s first attempt to move PC gaming into the lounge.
A previous wave of Steam Machines, released in 2015 through third-party manufacturers, struggled with branding confusion and high prices, leading to poor sales and eventual discontinuation.
That experience drove Valve to take hardware development in-house, resulting in the success of the Steam Deck – a portable gaming device that has sold “multiple millions” of units.
Now, with the Steam Machine, Valve is betting that PC gamers are finally ready to take their games off the desk – and onto the couch.
