The Steam Controller currently has long delivery times. For the Steam Machine, which is set to be released in 2026, it is unlikely to be any different. Even if the device celebrates its release in 2026, it is unlikely that many of you will hold the device in your hands this year (2026).
Valve introduced several new devices for Steam at the end of 2025: a controller, the Steam Machine, and the Steam Frame. Officially, all these models are expected to be released in 2026, but so far only the Steam Controller has been released.
However, Valve is currently showing with the Steam Controller that you should not have high hopes of being able to buy a Steam Machine in 2026.
Steam Controller has long delivery times, it is likely to be not much different for the Steam Machine
What does this have to do with the Steam Controller? If you weren’t lucky right at release, you could reserve a Steam Controller on Steam. It works similarly to how it was with the Steam Deck.
However, Valve seems to be so overwhelmed with the demand and facing significant delivery bottlenecks, that the delivery is expected to take a long time. Some users report on Reddit that they might not be able to order their Steam Controller until 2027 and then only have a few days to do so.
In our team, we only have to wait until December 2026, if you seized the opportunity to reserve it directly. But that’s still several months, and there is no guarantee for that delivery date or period. Our appointment could still be postponed to 2027.
The Steam Machine is likely to be even more affected by delivery bottlenecks
What does all this have to do with the Steam Machine? Currently, there are significant delivery bottlenecks for PC and console hardware, affecting almost all manufacturers. Either devices are no longer available or only available at significantly higher prices. The best example of this is the Steam Deck: Valve increased the prices, but the Steam Deck is still not available.
If these bottlenecks coincide with high demand, you probably shouldn’t have high hopes of receiving a Steam Machine this year (2026), especially with current delivery issues for the Steam Controller.
The limited quantity is likely to be gone quickly at release despite excessively high prices, and there will likewise be long delays for the reservations until Valve can provide replenishment. We consider it very unlikely that you will still be able to order a Steam Machine in 2026.
A colleague has found her own way to avoid the high prices for the Steam Deck. Sophia Weiss mods her Steam Deck to make it last long and not worry about the high prices. You can read more about it on MeinMMO: I mod my Steam Deck to make it last long and not worry about the high prices
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