Valve has unveiled what it considers its biggest hardware offering since Steam Deck: a three-piece ecosystem that brings back the desktop brand and adds virtual reality and its own controller. The headline is clear: return of the Steam Machine, accompanied by the Steam Frame viewer and the new Steam Controller.
Beyond nostalgia, the approach is pragmatic: SteamOS and its ecosystem They're jumping from the desktop to the TV and VR, with a launch planned for early 2026. There are no price figures or firm dates, and the company emphasizes that its proposal seeks consistency across devices without sacrificing the flexibility of the PC.
Steam Machine: a no-fuss living room PC
Ten years after the initial experiment, Valve returns with a single desktop model designed for television. The company promises more than six times the power of Steam deck and I play at 4K/60 FPS in a small, quiet format designed to blend seamlessly into the living room.
The team adopts a cubic chassis of around 15 cm sidewith an integrated power supply and a customizable design. Inside beats a semi-custom AMD APU: 6-core Zen 4 CPU (up to 4,8 GHz) and an RDNA 3 GPU with 28 Compute Units and 8 GB of GDDR6 VRAM.
Complete the set 16GB DDR5 RAM and 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD storage, expandable via high-speed microSD. For connectivity, it offers DisplayPort 1.4 (4K at 240Hz or 8K at 60Hz), HDMI 2.0 with CEC, HDR and FreeSyncWiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet and several USB-A and USB-C ports.
As expected, the system works with SteamOS (Arch Linux base with KDE Plasma)It inherits features such as quick suspend, cloud saves, and the Big Picture interface. And, without losing the open spirit of the PC, the user can install other applications or even another operating system if preferred.
Steam Controller 2: Unified controller with wireless Puck
The second part of the announcement is a revamped controller that aims to be the central control point of the ecosystem. The new Steam Controller incorporates square touch panels with adjustable sensitivity, four haptic engines and Steam Input for deep customization.
New features include Grip SenseCapacitive sensors and a gyroscope improve aiming and controller movement accuracy. Battery life lasts up to 35 hours of use, with USB-C charging and Bluetooth connectivity or 2,4 GHz wireless link.
That low-latency link comes with the Steam Controller PuckThis adapter allows you to connect up to four controllers simultaneously and also serves as a charging dock. Compatible with Steam Machine, Steam Deck, and PC, the controller aims to support games with and without native gamepad support.
Steam Frame: Standalone virtual reality and 6 GHz streaming
Valve is also returning to VR with a standalone headset running SteamOS. Steam Frame It uses LCD panels with 2160 × 2160 pixels per eye, refresh rates between 72 and 144 Hz and a 110º field of view with custom pancake lenses to lighten the assembly.
Inside it integrates a Snapdragon 8 Gen3 It comes with 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256 GB or 1 TB of UFS storage, expandable via microSD. The helmet weighs approximately 440 grams with the strap and rear battery attached, prioritizing balance and comfort.
For tracking, the viewer combines four external cameras with two internal sensors for eye detection and foveal rendering. It also includes a dedicated 6 GHz wireless adapter with dual receivers that separates video/audio transmission from the network, improving stability and quality. streaming from PC or Steam Machine.
Their controllers are reminiscent of other solutions on the market, but add a D-pad and all the standard buttons for use as a split controller without the headset. Each one works with a replaceable AA battery with about 40 hours of use, and the viewer can operate autonomously or linked to PC and Mac via the wireless adapter.
Launch and pricing in Spain and Europe
Valve anticipates the arrival of the trio of devices to early 2026No price or exact release date has been confirmed. The company has not yet detailed the market rollout, so we'll have to wait for specific availability information for Spain and the rest of Europe.
In any case, the Price will be the deciding factor for the success of the proposal in the region, especially in a context with consoles and PCs competing for living room space and with VR in the midst of market reconfiguration.
A second chance powered by Linux and SteamOS
The big difference compared to the first wave of Steam Machines is in the software: today SteamOS and Proton They have significantly expanded compatibility with the Steam catalog, and the fine-tuned experience on Steam Deck serves as the basis for this leap to television and virtual reality.
With a single desktop model, a cohesive controller, and a headset that can work independently or via streaming, Valve is attempting close the circle Usage: desktop, living room and VR under the same umbrella, maintaining the open approach of the PC and the convenience of a console.
If the equation of power, price, and convenience matches, the combination of Steam Machine, Steam Controller and Steam Frame It can become a real alternative for those looking to bring their Steam library to the living room and explore VR without complications, with Linux as the common thread.
