The four models are probably 2 storage sizes, with or without an included controller.
They have disclosed 2 storage sizes in their tech specs (512gb NVMe SSD vs 2tb), you’re probably right on the controller.
My only disappointment is the one USB-C port and 4 USB A ports. If it were me I’d trade a microsd slot and usb a3 for a usbc.
I think the micro SD is important for what they’re trying to do. I think you can store games on it and play it on the Deck or Machine, just by moving the card, IIRC.
I agree, it isn’t what I’d want, but the entire product isn’t what I want. It’s not really made for people who are willing to build a PC for themselves.
Assuming the price for this thing isn’t insane, I would still buy it and just never use the microSD port. That’s fine.
What I am a bit annoyed at is the lack of any good USB-C ports. USB 4 or thunderbolt are incredibly useful for fast drives and display support, and not having that sucks. I’d be buying this as an HTPC for gaming, so again, it’s not a deal breaker, just annoying.
In 2026 I don’t think users need 4 USB-A ports and one token USB-C port?
My gaming headphones still use USB A so I guess that’s why that’s there. But yeah, I don’t need 4.
So that’s how I can get a controller!
You get one by reserving one, next batch for US and Canada is next week, then Europe, UK and Australia in the following weeks. You can reserve one if you haven’t bought one yet, have a steam account with good standing and have made a purchase on the stream store via that account before April 27, 2026.
Or maybe lower RAM models to try and have entry level machines that are at least tolerably priced since AI distorted the RAM market?
I don’t see any mention of how much RAM these units will have, just their storage capacity. So I wonder if the two lowest priced SKU’s have no RAM in them at all and they expect you to add in like SODIMM’s.
The early reporting on it was “every system is 16GB”. The memory is replaceable, but you have to do an excessive amount of surgery to get at it, including removing the heatsink.
I don’t see any reason for Valve to ship a “it doesn’t work out of the box” sku.
Yeah no way Valve sells a non-functional device, defeats the entire purpose of the product
I think you’re probably right, but I also think selling the Machine without the Controller is an odd choice, given Valve’s bigger vision of it being a living room console.
With that said, they’ve already sold many of us a controller, so… It’s kind of a mess.
I mean not everyone might want a controller either. If they’re fine with an Xbox controller (which would work just fine) why force them to buy another controller?
Seems like they’re getting ready to launch soon
Will be curious when the Frame launches (I have a Steam Deck and a Desktop, so im more interested in that) - I would have figured it would have launched first given the architecture
It could be a software issue since the FEX translator is quite new and SteamVR had been undercooked on Linux for a while.
The 4 models could as well be:
-512gb storage
-2tb storage
-unit without storage but with ram
-unit without ram but with storageSo people who do have some sodimm ddr5 or storage spare, could buy these. Would make perfect sense during this memory shortage.
