Price comparison: Steam Machine is significantly more expensive than faster gaming PCs

[Redaktion]

The Steam Machine will soon be available for pre-order starting at $1,049. This means that the SteamOS PC is not only significantly more expensive than the Sony PlayStation 5, but comparably fast gaming PCs are already available at much lower prices.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Price-comparison-Steam-Machine-is-significantly-more-expensive-than-faster-gaming-PCs.1326733.0.html

[SamunosukeOde]

... RAM can not be upgraded ...

I suggest you review this assertion. There have been tear downs that show a free RAM slot as Valve could not secure 2 x 8GB sticks for dual channel memory so pivoted at the last minute to 1 x 16GB.

[Sergey]

SamunosukeOde That's correct. Fixed. Thank you so much for the heads-up!

[and only 8 GB VRAM]

the Steam Machine does not allow for processor or graphics card upgrades, although RAM upgrades are possible.

Correct, and the Steam Machine only has 8 GB VRAM GPU that can not be upgraded. Dave2D, amongst others, complained about it in his Steam Machine review. 8 GB VRAM becoming an issue was first pointed out by Hardware Unboxed 4-5 years ago.. Since then, the situation only got worse. VALVE should know better and not offering 8 GB VRAM. Kinda evil offering such a low VRAM gaming device.

Attention, a 9060 XT exists in a 8 or 16 GB VRAM configuration.

[1winbizpk]

The price gap makes sense once you factor in the prebuilt convenience and the software layer, but for anyone comfortable building, a small form factor PC still wins on upgradeability. Depends whether you value plug-and-play or long-term flexibility more.

[Not even available]

The pricing or lack of vram isn't even the most offensive part.

It's the fact that we're still being put on waitlist/queues (after being delayed 8-9 months since initial announcement). Majority of people are not able to purchase this irrespective of your opinion on the situation.

This isn't the first time. Happened with deck, controller and it will happen with frame too. They've learnt nothing.