Steam Machine Review Roundup: Critics Divided on Valve's Expensive PC Console

$1,049 is steep. Not worth it. Look — the Steam Machine's value proposition is murky, particularly when you consider that for the price of the top-tier 2TB model, which costs a whopping $1,428 and includes a Steam Controller, you could build a more powerful gaming PC from scratch and still have money left over for a few AAA titles.

It's simple. You plug it in, it works. For instance, Jacqueline Thomas of IGN gave it an 8/10 review, praising the Linux integration. The possibilities are endless with Linux, you'll find. This is key for a device like the Steam Machine, with Thomas noting the contrast to consoles like the PS5 and Xbox, which have limited app functionality, it's a major difference. Performance is a different story, though.

"the possibilities are basically endless" with Linux

Jacqueline Thomas, IGN

<strong>Why $500 for a PC Titled "Console"?</strong>

It's pricey. You'll get similar results with less powerful parts. The Steam Machine just doesn't cut it, honestly. With a weaker CPU and cheaper RAM, you could save money. PC Gamer gave it a 62, which is fair. They've tested it against the AtomMan G1 Pro and Legion Tower 5i, showing it struggles in games like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora and Black Myth, particularly with the Legion Tower 5i's RTX 4060 and Intel Core i5 14400F, making you wonder if it's worth the cost.

"you could save some money with a weaker CPU and (slightly) cheaper RAM, and get very similar gaming performance."

Andy Edser, PC Gamer

It's a letdown. The Verge's Sean Hollister is not impressed. You'll need to tweak games manually, which is a hassle. Default 1080p setting is a precaution, it seems. Hollister notes this feels like the early days of Steam Deck, with room for improvement through updates, which is a key point to consider for Valve's Steam Machine.

"...like the early, experimental days of the Steam Deck."

Sean Hollister, The Verge

Steam Machines: $500 for a PC in Disguise

It's a thing. The Steam Machine has its fans, for sure. You'll find it's got a use, in a niche way, we've seen. Eurogamer's Chris Tapsell says it's flexible, and it can be cost-effective, which is key. He notes the Steam Machine "absolutely has a place" for people who want a simple, portable PC gaming setup, like at LAN parties, though it's missing a handle, which would be handy for carrying it around.

"the Steam Machine absolutely has a place."

Chris Tapsell, Eurogamer

Valve's $499 Gamble Splits Critics Down the Middle

It's a PC thing. You'll get it for the games. The Steam Machine is not a console, not a high-end PC. It's for ease of use, with Linux and Steam Big Picture mode, you'll get a unique experience. The price is high, though. For most, it's a tough choice, given the manual setup needed for optimal performance, which is key. They've made it simple, in a way, but you'll still need to tweak for the best results, and that's worth mentioning, with a price tag that's a major issue, especially when you consider the cost of a similar gaming PC or console, it's a hard sell, we've seen that with the initial sales numbers.

It's early days. Honestly, the Steam Machine is a work in progress, you'll see that. They've got a specific crowd in mind, the kind that doesn't mind paying extra for a console that's also a PC, which is key. For now, it's a niche product, with a unique feel, and it needs updates, which will likely happen, to make it more appealing to the average gamer, we've seen this with the Steam Deck, where updates made a big difference over time, refining the experience.