Steam Machine, Valve’s “GameCube”

Primarily known for its PC game distribution platform, Steam also has a strong presence in the hardware world, notably with its Steam Deck console/portable PC and the Steam Frame virtual reality headset. Steam Machine, the return 10 years after a first failed attempt. But this time the company is targeting the living room with a new Steam Machine, a console/PC hybrid, a distant descendant of the first Steam Machines launched in 2015, which were not successful at the time. Ten years later, the time may have come, especially as the line between PC and console is beginning to blur (this will also be the principle of the next generation of Xbox).

Steam Machine 2026 Edition, Design Inspired by the Nintendo GameCube££££

Scheduled for early 2026 (no price announced yet), the Steam Machine impresses with its compact design, a cube approximately 16 cm on each side reminiscent of a certain Nintendo console released in 2002, the GameCube. On the front, an LED strip indicates the operating status and can also be customized (Knight Rider fans are already raring to go). A beautiful but also ergonomic device, since the power supply is integrated (no bulky external power adapter), as is a wireless adapter for the Steam controller. Speaking of which, the machine integrates seamlessly with the Steam ecosystem, capable of streaming to a device that runs Steam or Steam Link, such as the Steam Deck or the Steal Frame headset. The Steam Machine, running SteamOS, is naturally designed to play games from the Steam catalog, but it's also a PC on which you can install your own operating system and applications. Steam Machine, main specifications: On the technical side, it features a partially custom-designed AMD Zen 4 6c/12t processor, up to 4.8 GHz, with a 30W TDP, supported by 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. This allows for gaming in Ultra HD and 4K at 60 frames per second, according to the manufacturer. Connectivity includes a 1 Gb Ethernet port, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, one USB-C port and four USB-A ports, as well as 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The Steam Machine will be available in two versions, with 512 GB and 2 TB of storage, expandable via microSD.