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PayPalThe day has arrived, Valve have announced a major hardware expansion with multiple devices including the new Steam Frame, Steam Controller and Steam Machine. And of course, they're powered by SteamOS (Linux), exactly the sort of thing we cover! Massive news for Linux gaming, and shows how committed Valve are to open source and having an open platform.
"We've been super happy with the success of Steam Deck," said Gabe Newell, President of Valve, "and PC gamers have continued asking for even more ways to play all the great titles in their Steam libraries. Our work over the years on other hardware and even more importantly on SteamOS has enabled Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame to do just that."
Here's what they've announced for 2026:
- Steam Controller:
- Steam Controller shares DNA with Steam Deck, with all the inputs to play all the games on Steam, wherever Steam is.
- High-performance, ergonomic controller with next-generation precision magnetic thumbsticks, full-sized controls, trackpads, gyro, and grip buttons.
- Steam Controller is great wherever Steam is: PC, laptop, Steam Deck, Steam Machine, Steam Frame.
- Steam Machine:
- Made for powerful, versatile PC gaming on a big screen; quiet and small enough to fit under your TV, on your desk, or anywhere else you want to game. (It's a roughly 6-inch (160mm) cube!)
- Runs SteamOS for the same great experience as Steam Deck
- Made to work with Steam Controller, but can pair with your other favorite accessories too.
- Steam Frame:
- Stream ALL of your Steam games, VR and non-VR alike
- Comfortable, wireless, lightweight VR designed to give you a new way to experience your entire Steam library
- Full controller input for PC VR and non-VR games
- It's a PC! Steam Frame is powered by a Snapdragon® processor, and runs SteamOS for the same great experience as Steam Deck
- Supports standalone play for immersive gaming anywhere
All of them will ship to the same regions as the Steam Deck (US, CA, UK, EU, AU) as well as regions covered by KOMODO: Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. No specific launch timings or pricing has been announced yet.
Steam Machine Info:
Models
- 512GB model and 2TB model
- Steam Machine will ship in a bundle with Steam Controller and will also be available standalone
Main Specs
- CPU: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T
- up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
- GPU: Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs
- 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP
- Supports 4K gaming at 60 FPS with FSR
- Ray tracing supported
- Over 6x more powerful than Steam Deck
- 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 512 GB & 2 TB SSD models
- micro SD card slot for expanded storage/portable catalog
- Internal power supply, AC power 110-240V
I/O
- DisplayPort 1.4
- Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60Hz
- Supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining
- HDMI 2.0
- Up to 4K @ 120Hz
- Supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC
- Ethernet 1 Gbps
- USB-C 10 Gbps, 3.2 Gen 2
- 4x T ype USB-A ports
- 2x USB 3 in the front
- 2x USB 2 in the rear
- 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E, dedicated BT antenna
- Integrated Steam Controller 2.4GHz radio
Other features
- Works with other controllers, accessories, and PC peripherals
- Wake with Steam Controller
- Runs SteamOS
- Familiar, gaming first user experience
- Fast suspend / resume
- Steam cloud saves, and all the other Steam features you’d expect
- Customizable LED bar
- Personalize with colors and animation
- Reflect system status (e.g. downloads, booting, updating)
Steam Frame Info:
Lightweight, modular architecture
- 185g core
- 440g with included headstrap
- (facial interface, audio, rear battery)
Main Specs
- 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ARM64 processor
- 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM
- Wi-Fi 7, 2x2
- Dual 5Ghz/6Ghz streaming for simultaneous VR and Wi-Fi
- 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options
- microSD card slot for extended storage
Optics
- Pancake optics
- 2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye)
- 72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental)
- Large FOV (up to 110 degrees)
Tracking
- 4x outward facing monochrome cameras for
- controller & headset tracking
- 2x interior cameras for eye tracking
- Outward IR illuminator (for dark environments)
Other features
- Wireless Adapter included
- Wi-Fi 6E (6Ghz)
- Fast, direct, low-latency link between headset & PC
- Foveated Streaming
- Eye-tracking drives video stream, sending highest resolution to where you’re looking.
- Audio
- Dual speaker drivers (per ear), integrated into headstrap
- Dual microphone array
- Monochrome camera passthrough
- User accessible front expansion port( 2x 2.5Gbps camera interface / Gen 4 PCIe )
- Rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-On Battery
- SteamOS
- Sleep / wake, cloud saves, Proton
Steam Frame Controllers
- Full 6-DOF tracking and IMU support
- Capacitive finger sensing
- Magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) for improved
- precision, responsiveness and reliability
- Haptic feedback
- Input parity with traditional game pad
- Replaceable AA battery (40hr life)
- Optional straps
Steam Controller Info:
Works with any device that runs Steam
- Windows / Mac / Linux PCs
- PC handhelds
- iOS / Android (with Steam Link)
- Steam Deck
- Steam Machine
- Steam Frame
Three ways to connect
- Steam Controller Puck
- Pre-paired, plug and play
- Proprietary wireless connection
- Low-latency (~8ms full end-to-end)
- 4ms polling rate
- measured at 5m
- More stable than Bluetooth
- Up to 4 Steam Controllers per Puck
- Bluetooth
- USB tethered play
Li-ion rechargeable battery
- 35hr+ play time
- Charge with Steam Controller Puck or USB
Magnetic thumbsticks (TMR)
- Improved responsiveness and reliability
- Capacitive touch
Grip sense
- Quick way to activate/deactivate gyro
- Assignable input
HD haptics
- 4x haptic motors
- 2x LRA haptic motors in trackpads for HD tactile feedback
- 2x High output LRA haptic motors in grips for HD game haptics including rumble
Full input list
- ABXY, D-pad
- L/R triggers, L/R bumpers
- Magnetic thumbsticks (TMR)
- View / Menu / Steam / QAM buttons
- 4x assignable grip buttons
- 2x trackpads with haptic feedback
- Pressure sensitivity for configurable
- click strength
- 6-axis IMU
- Capacitive grip sense
Valve do note in the press details how some of the specs are subject to change, so these may not be exactly final.
As part of this, Valve will be expanding the Steam Deck Verified program. This will include new ratings for the Steam Frame and Steam Machine. They will be known as Steam Machine Verified and Steam Frame Verified.
This is what we have been waiting for and why GamingOnLinux exists. We've been covering Linux gaming for years before Valve even came along, and Valve have practically kept us in business with all their open source work (and especially Proton).
Unlike the original launch of the first attempt at the Steam Machine, Valve has come a seriously long way to make it viable. Proton, the tool to run Windows games on Linux, has made it click and play for tens of thousands of games. So now, it makes a lot more sense.
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Absolutely amazing. Much like when Valve originally announced Proton, I feel a bit of the shakes over here from excitement. This is truly some world-changing stuff going on for Linux gaming. It's time for the stranglehold that Microsoft have had with Windows to end.
What this also should hopefully do, is put a bit more pressure on developers to get their anti-cheat enabled for Linux, otherwise that's still going to be quite a number of popular games that won't be playable on any of these devices. As we're tracking on our dedicated anti-cheat page. Especially so if the Steam Machine is priced reasonably, that could be a ridiculous amount of extra players using SteamOS Linux. Developers are going to need to pay a lot more attention to how their games run on Linux.
On top of that, it will be interesting to see if Epic Games will rethink their stance on the Epic Store and Fortnite.
We've opened up some new content tags for you to follow along: Steam Frame | Steam Machine. You can also join us on Discord with dedicated chat channels.
Sadly, Valve did not provide GamingOnLinux with any heads up on it, so we're playing catch-up on all the details. There's also currently no word on review samples like we had for the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED, so if you want to ensure we can grab them please do support GamingOnLinux directly.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
About the author - Liam Dawe
I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly checked on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly.
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Do you folks think, the hardware can be upgraded?
I assume, that the SSD is swappable due to being an ordinary m.2 80mm card.
But what about the RAM?
Or the WiFi?
Or the main fan?
I guess the CPU and GPU will not be replaceable, won't they?
Last edited by beiju on 13 Nov 2025 at 2:10 pm UTC
I assume, that the SSD is swappable due to being an ordinary m.2 80mm card.
But what about the RAM?
Or the WiFi?
Or the main fan?
I guess the CPU and GPU will not be replaceable, won't they?
Last edited by beiju on 13 Nov 2025 at 2:10 pm UTC
1 Likes
You can wishlist it already. Scroll down far enough on the new hardware page and they each have a star under them.
Doesn't work for me. I get a star... and then it's gone again.
Last edited by Eike on 13 Nov 2025 at 4:24 pm UTC
2 Likes
Well this is a nice surprise 
Finally VR looks appealing to me. Linux first VR at that! This is quite exciting really.
My TV (Samsung) has been blocked from the internet at my router for some time (sneaky privacy invading, ad infested firmware upgrades etc.) so I think I'll get a Steam Machine for watching streaming services primarily and for some gaming.
As for 8G VRAM... I've been playing Stalker 2 with firstly an 8G RX 6600 and now a 16G RX 9060 XT and guess what - it still doesn't use more than 8G VRAM (according to Mangohud). Not an issue for me anyway. I have a 4K TV but it's rarely gone above 1080p and I'm not bothered.
I can see some late Xmas pressies coming my way
Finally VR looks appealing to me. Linux first VR at that! This is quite exciting really.
My TV (Samsung) has been blocked from the internet at my router for some time (sneaky privacy invading, ad infested firmware upgrades etc.) so I think I'll get a Steam Machine for watching streaming services primarily and for some gaming.
As for 8G VRAM... I've been playing Stalker 2 with firstly an 8G RX 6600 and now a 16G RX 9060 XT and guess what - it still doesn't use more than 8G VRAM (according to Mangohud). Not an issue for me anyway. I have a 4K TV but it's rarely gone above 1080p and I'm not bothered.
I can see some late Xmas pressies coming my way
2 Likes
The gamepad looks cool, it's a shame it doesn't run on simple rechargeable AA batteries. I have a hard time with gamepads where you can't easily change the batteries. There's nothing worse for me than wanting to play and running out of power. I wish it were Bluetooth 6.2 compatible for very low BT latency, but unfortunately I'm afraid that's not the case ;-(
The Steam Machine looks nice. But it's really entry-level equipment. It will certainly be successful if it's sold cheaply, between 400 € and 450 € depending on available storage. But if its price is too high,, it's likely to be a flop. I hope also they'll update Steam OS to ensure compatibility with Grub2, allowing for the installation of other operating systems in a multiboot configuration on this Steam Machine.
Regarding the virtual reality headset, I'm not a fan of this kind of technology to begin with. I'm a little worried that screens so close to my eyes might damage them over time... And since I wear glasses, I'm not sure they'd be compatible with such a headset. However, they've done a good job with its weight, it seems much lighter than the competition's. If its price is affordable, it will certainly delight fans of this type of technology.
Last edited by phil995511 on 13 Nov 2025 at 12:28 pm UTC
The Steam Machine looks nice. But it's really entry-level equipment. It will certainly be successful if it's sold cheaply, between 400 € and 450 € depending on available storage. But if its price is too high,, it's likely to be a flop. I hope also they'll update Steam OS to ensure compatibility with Grub2, allowing for the installation of other operating systems in a multiboot configuration on this Steam Machine.
Regarding the virtual reality headset, I'm not a fan of this kind of technology to begin with. I'm a little worried that screens so close to my eyes might damage them over time... And since I wear glasses, I'm not sure they'd be compatible with such a headset. However, they've done a good job with its weight, it seems much lighter than the competition's. If its price is affordable, it will certainly delight fans of this type of technology.
Last edited by phil995511 on 13 Nov 2025 at 12:28 pm UTC
1 Likes
walther von stolzing 5 hours ago
Looking forward to the impact these releases are going to have on the software side of things.
2 Likes
Regarding the virtual reality headset, I'm not a fan of this kind of technology to begin with. I'm a little worried that screens so close to my eyes might damage them over time... And since I wear glasses, I'm not sure they'd be compatible with such a headset. However, they've done a good job with its weight, it seems much lighter than the competition's. If its price is affordable, it will certainly delight fans of this type of technology.
This will have four digits(*) attached, I bet.
(*) of the US/EU kind
0 Likes
This will have four digits(*) attached, I bet.
(*) of the US/EU kindGiven the prices charged by the competition, there is indeed a risk that this virtual reality headset will be quite expensive.
But I hope that Steam's management has good intentions and wants to democratize video games more, rather than focusing solely on maximizing their immediate profits. Currently, this type of technology is far too expensive and therefore practically unaffordable for most people.
Personally, even if I could afford to buy one from a competitor like Meta, in my opinion, it's way too expensive for a simple gadget.
Last edited by phil995511 on 13 Nov 2025 at 12:52 pm UTC
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I wanted to build something like Steam Machine for long time, now Valve did it for me and as I'm using Steam Deck connected to big screen as my main gaming device the Steam Machine is a no brainer for me.
I also would love to have a wireless VR and Steam Controller, so I hope they will do some package selling of those three together.
I also would love to have a wireless VR and Steam Controller, so I hope they will do some package selling of those three together.
1 Likes
omeganebula 3 hours ago
interesting. Not to get too into the weeds here but the thing im wondering here is how a 'real' console operates vs a PC with SteamOS. On those '4k' console games that use native resolution but checkerboarding, DSR the TV is still taking a native 4k signal so no upscaling internally meaning the video DAC is not adding too much latency. However PC games don't really work like that in that you as a user tend to have to manually switch to 4k and then fiddle around for ages trying to get things to work and a lot of games not designed with a specific hardware target in mind (like a console) won't have upscaling options, or DSR built into the game. The likelyhood imo is that people will either run games at 1080p or maybe 1440p and let the TV scale to native 4k.Sorry for the long quote, I just didn't want to trim it down. Consoles don't do anything fundamentally different under the hood. It works the same way as any PC. As I mentioned, console games are almost always graphically pre-configured locked-down versions of their PC counterparts, sharing the majority of their codebase. Options for resolution scaling, upscaling are pretty much expected in PC versions as well. There are exceptions, but they're rare.
However PC games don't really work like that in that you as a user tend to have to manually switch to 4kI'm not sure I understand this part (genuinely, I'm not trying to be condescending). Games are starting in native resolution unless it has been already changed by the user, if not, then it should be reported as a bug. There are cases where the game has issues detecting the display correctly, but it's not the norm.
then fiddle around for ages trying to get things to workIt's just a matter of preference. The criteria for the "Verified" badge is that the game runs well without any tweaks. The user can still mess around in the settings, but it's their choice and they (should) know they're responsible at this point and can always switch back to the default/device-specific, low, medium etc. presets. I think it's better than locking down the graphics options if the game detects it's running on a Valve hardware. E.g. Steam Deck reports itself to the games with the SteamDeck=1 flag and there are some games which hides the graphics options and only provide you Deck preset or presets. The same can happen with the Steam Machine too.
a lot of games not designed with a specific hardware target in mind (like a console)True. But as we've already seen, devs add presets, even retroactively.
- Doom: The Dark Ages
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Witcher 3
- Helldivers 2
- Ghost of Tsushima
- Final Fantasy 7
- The Last of Us games
- Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader
All of these games have Steam Deck presets, just to name a few well-known ones. It's the same as what they do on consoles.
Also, there are games where if you keep default setting it will be the Steam Deck/device-specific preset, even if its not marked as such. E.g. Elden Ring where the devs and Valve even made specific optimisations for the Deck.
And like I mentioned, a criteria for the verified badge is that the game runs well on default settings. Many games also auto-detect your hardware and try to apply optimal settings. And ofc, they all include the usual presets (low, medium, high, etc.). Medium or a mix of medium-high settings is roughly console-quality in most AAA games.
However i don't think it is trying to compete with the PS5 or is itBased on the specifications, I think it is, and imo, it would be a huge mistake not to. I'm just speculating ofc, but nothing else makes sense from a business standpoint. They did their market research well for the Deck, I assume they did the homework this time too.
Last edited by omeganebula on 13 Nov 2025 at 2:20 pm UTC
1 Likes
Yall really think 1080p is the common res for living room tvs? Here in the US, I don't think I know anyone with a 1080p tv. Can you even still buy them? I mean like if I go to costco, every single set is 4k. And you can get the low end ones for around $200. I would wager highly that the common tv res in the states is 4k.
Which means the "machine" will struggle. Or just use all that upscaling / framegen that I cannot stand. I guess that'll make people playing on the couch happy though, because the other consoles all do it too. So maybe no big deal.
On a basic point, this is so exciting! Getting more stuff like this out into the masses is so awesome!!! As Liam said, I'm hoping this is another tipping point!! woooo!!
I have no interest in vr at all, and I already game in the living room on my plex server, so not in the market for the "machine", but DEFINITELY in the market for the controller. I think the layout seems pretty weird (has there ever been a layout like this before?) and doesn't it look like we will all be activating the track pads with our palms constantly all the time? I mean, can't be, so whatever, I'm in for sure on that controller!
Which means the "machine" will struggle. Or just use all that upscaling / framegen that I cannot stand. I guess that'll make people playing on the couch happy though, because the other consoles all do it too. So maybe no big deal.
On a basic point, this is so exciting! Getting more stuff like this out into the masses is so awesome!!! As Liam said, I'm hoping this is another tipping point!! woooo!!
I have no interest in vr at all, and I already game in the living room on my plex server, so not in the market for the "machine", but DEFINITELY in the market for the controller. I think the layout seems pretty weird (has there ever been a layout like this before?) and doesn't it look like we will all be activating the track pads with our palms constantly all the time? I mean, can't be, so whatever, I'm in for sure on that controller!
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@Eike
Calling the PC "Steam Machine" again, is this stupidity or some severe balls?!? emojiI think at the end of the day, the media and people in general were always going to call them Steam Machines 2.0 anyway. By owning up to it, Valve acknowledge upfront that their first go at it exists and did not do that great, and that they’re coming back having learned their lessons. They’re not trying to hide it under a new name.
2 Likes
Yall really think 1080p is the common res for living room tvs? Here in the US, I don't think I know anyone with a 1080p tv. Can you even still buy them? I mean like if I go to costco, every single set is 4k. And you can get the low end ones for around $200. I would wager highly that the common tv res in the states is 4k.
I don't know, but... Don't mistake what's being sold for what people have at home. Most, by very very far the most, people didn't buy their TV set this year. Or the last.
Last edited by Eike on 13 Nov 2025 at 3:06 pm UTC
1 Likes
1080p can still look OK on a 4k display imo, the price is going to be the important part here but their claim it's a 4k 60fps machine is abit dubious
Only question I'm asking myself is whether to get an oled steam deck now, or wait.. worried ill buy one now and it will be discounted next year or something, but with their focus on steam machine 2.0 at least I don't have to worry about a steam deck 2 round the corner as its probably a long way off atm
Only question I'm asking myself is whether to get an oled steam deck now, or wait.. worried ill buy one now and it will be discounted next year or something, but with their focus on steam machine 2.0 at least I don't have to worry about a steam deck 2 round the corner as its probably a long way off atm
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Only question I'm asking myself is whether to get an oled steam deck now, or wait.. worried ill buy one now and it will be discounted next year or something, but with their focus on steam machine 2.0 at least I don't have to worry about a steam deck 2 round the corner as its probably a long way off atm
https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/valve-says-a-next-gen-steam-deck-2-still-isnt-possible-two-years-after-it-last-said-exactly-the-same-thing/
2 Likes
"Magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) "
i hope this is a rebranding for hall effect sensor, if that is the case, its perfect!
I just read they're supposed to be even more precise and more energy efficient than hall effect sensors. (Source: gamestar.de)
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Just read that dbrand are making a case for steam machine that looks like the companion cube from Portal 2
And just like that, I suddenly really want one
And just like that, I suddenly really want one
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