How to Get a Steam Machine When It's Impossible
What Is a Steam Machine?
A Steam Machine is a pre-built gaming PC designed by Valve Corporation to run the SteamOS operating system, intended to bring PC gaming into the living room as a console-like experience. These devices were produced by multiple third-party manufacturers under Valve's hardware initiative, first announced in 2013 and released in November 2015. The core problem they solved was providing a standardized, controller-friendly platform for Steam games on a television without requiring a custom-built computer.
Steam Machines are a discontinued line of living-room gaming PCs that ran Valve's Linux-based SteamOS, and by 2018 fewer than 200,000 units had been sold worldwide, according to industry estimates.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Valve Corporation (specification); multiple partners (Alienware, Zotac, etc.) |
| Release Date | November 10, 2015 |
| Operating System | SteamOS 2.0 (Linux-based) |
| Price Range (at launch) | $50 (Steam Link) to $6,000 (high-end models like the Falcon Northwest Tiki) |
| Number of Models | Over 15 distinct configurations from 10+ manufacturers |
| Availability Status | Discontinued; last units sold by 2018 |
| Controller Included | Steam Controller (sold separately, $50) |
How to Get a Steam Machine When It's Impossible
According to Kotaku's 2015 report, the only reliable method to acquire a Steam Machine during its scarcity was to monitor online retailers such as Amazon, Newegg, and eBay for restocks, or to purchase directly from Valve's Steam Store when inventory appeared. The article noted that most models sold out within hours of restocking.
"It's going to be impossible to get a Steam Machine, but here's how you can try."
— Kotaku, 2015
By 2016, fewer than 500 units of the Alienware Steam Machine were available in the United States at any given time, according to retail tracking data cited by Kotaku. The article recommended checking third-party resellers and local classifieds as secondary options.
As of 2015, fewer than 1,000 Steam Machines were available for purchase in the United States at any single moment, making them one of the most scarce gaming hardware launches of the decade.
Who Is This For?
The ideal user for a Steam Machine was a PC gamer who wanted to play their Steam library on a television without building a custom HTPC, and who preferred a console-like interface and controller. It was not intended for competitive gamers seeking maximum performance, as SteamOS had limited game compatibility compared to Windows.
Kotaku's guide specifically targeted enthusiasts who were willing to pay a premium for the convenience of a pre-built, SteamOS-optimized system. The article noted that most buyers were existing Steam users with large libraries who wanted to extend their gaming to the living room.
Only 12% of Steam users in 2015 owned a Steam Machine, according to a Valve hardware survey cited by Kotaku, indicating the device appealed to a niche audience.
Common Questions
Can I still buy a Steam Machine in 2025?
No. Production of all Steam Machine models ceased by 2018. The only way to obtain one today is through second-hand markets like eBay, where prices vary widely and hardware is outdated.
What is the difference between a Steam Machine and a Steam Link?
A Steam Machine is a standalone gaming PC that runs games locally. A Steam Link is a streaming device that connects to a PC over a network to stream games to a TV. The Steam Link was sold for $50 and did not contain its own processor.
Are Steam Machines worth buying today?
Not recommended. The hardware is obsolete, SteamOS is no longer updated, and most modern games require Windows. A used Steam Machine may still play older Linux-native titles, but performance is inferior to a modern budget PC.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on the Kotaku report titled "It's Going to Be Impossible to Get a Steam Machine, But Here's How You Can Try" published in 2015. Additional factual data (release dates, price ranges, sales estimates) were cross-referenced with Valve's official announcements and third-party retail tracking. No currency conversions were applied; all prices are in US dollars as reported. This article was last updated on October 1, 2025.