Friday, June 26th 2026
Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+
Following a brief reservation period, prospective buyers of the Valve Steam Machine started reporting on June 26 that they had begun to receive reservation confirmation emails for the new hybrid console. However, on the same day, and almost predictably, apparent scalpers listed Steam Machine units on sites like eBay, with prices for the 512 GB version of the console without the Steam Controller starting at a whopping $1,700, which is a 61% increase over the already high launch price. One particular eBay listing for the Steam Machine has a 512 GB version of the console with a Steam Controller listed at $3,200—a 160% premium over the retail price, likely an attempt to capitalize on the added scarcity of the Steam Controller.
Given recent conversations about the value of the Steam Machine and Valve's own admission that the $1,049.99 launch pricing is significantly higher than it should have been, it goes without saying that a 70%+ increase over that launch price is bad value. It seems unlikely that anyone would pay that much for the Steam Machine, which offers mid-range PC performance at best, but scalpers previously also attempted, and apparently succeeded, to sell the Steam Deck in the same fashion for highly inflated prices, likely banking on the hype of the gaming handheld. The combination of limited supply and Valve's lottery system for the Steam Machine almost seems to encourage scalping, since it results in scarcity. Despite the price, the Machine also already sold out in Japan within 48 hours of launch. While Valve has provided an estimated June 29 shipping date, but there's no telling when the second batch of production units will start shipping.
Source:
eBay
Given recent conversations about the value of the Steam Machine and Valve's own admission that the $1,049.99 launch pricing is significantly higher than it should have been, it goes without saying that a 70%+ increase over that launch price is bad value. It seems unlikely that anyone would pay that much for the Steam Machine, which offers mid-range PC performance at best, but scalpers previously also attempted, and apparently succeeded, to sell the Steam Deck in the same fashion for highly inflated prices, likely banking on the hype of the gaming handheld. The combination of limited supply and Valve's lottery system for the Steam Machine almost seems to encourage scalping, since it results in scarcity. Despite the price, the Machine also already sold out in Japan within 48 hours of launch. While Valve has provided an estimated June 29 shipping date, but there's no telling when the second batch of production units will start shipping.
93 Comments on Scalpers List Steam Machine Reservations at $1,700+
These type of releases get me excited because of the software that is powering it.
The hardware is effectively an entry level option for gamers curious about PC stuff.
SteamOS is the fast bus to get Windows expats off CLI and back to daily fragging.
Regards,
Fred.
To report:
Click "Report this listing"
Select the "Intangible Item" option.
Then say "Reservation sale".
While I'm sure people would use the Steam Machine as a primary computer and you could certainly use Steam OS as a regular operating system, I imagine people see both as the secondary option, not the primary option, to do computer related stuff.
Now I will wait if Valve checks the serial numbers vs the preorder steam accounts and nukes the hole steam account which "scalped" those devices. I think the intention was clear, no scalping allowed.
It is kinda easy to read out the serial vs the steam account. I would also ban the buyers steam account of such a steam box. So not only the seller has an issue but also the purchaser. Than would trigger the hardware lock so it can not be used anymore. For that purpose if valve would have been really smart implement a single time fuse to blow in silicion.
Data protection wise, it was preordered wiht a steam account and it is a steam hardware, so I do not see any issues. Nintendo does similar things when users are using sdcards which unlock full games etc, or not bought games.We are off topic again. We had news piece here a few weeks ago, some older firmware allows some other software installations on PS5.
Heck, I still remember PS3 launch when initial stock was very tiny. Back then I lived in US and worked at the supermarket. Still remember a 100-something people camping overnight outside the store on the launch day, totally oblivious to the fact that we only got 3 consoles(one display unit, one my then-boss bought for his nephew, and the last one went to my co-worker). Same people paid double MSRP on eBay(and average listing was $1000-$1400), while I patiently waited for first broken ones to show up, and got one for $200 with StarWars bundle.
Also, it is worth remembering that scalping today is on totally different scale than it used to be 15-20 years ago. Ever since the first mining boom, there appeared a separate class of assholes with disposable crypto-income, who's treating any goods as speculative asset, which in some cases may be as f#%$ed up as scalping disinfectant and masks during Covid, or re-selling charging stations at 200-300% markup during power outages.
Having said that, I cannot rationalise scalping, especially not with an entertainment device. It's either the official price from the official vendor, or I'm moving on with my life.
Edit: That's how I got my 9070 XT as well. I told myself it's either the launch window MSRP, or nothing. I was lucky enough to grab one there and then.Older firmware? I don't have a PS5, so I would have to buy one now, do you realise that? Also, what about the warranty? I'm not buying a device to lose it straight away.
I'm taking the dive because it'll be a secondary system on my bedside table. I already have a full desktop PC, I don't need another one.
As Valve said, this thing is not supposed to replace your desktop PC. It is supposed to complement it in your living room (or bedroom in my case).
What premium price when similarly specced (and much bigger) DIY PCs cost roughly the same?
You're arguing against logic and reason. We get it, you're a Steam fan and thus your perspective is biased. But facts are facts, this system is a bad value. It a poor performing luxury item. A modern day 3DO if you wish, except with a much larger library.
By the way, I'm not a Steam fan. I'm a mini PC fan. You don't know me, so let's talk about the Steam Machine, and not each other, shall we?
I like a product because it suits my use case perfectly, while other options that I've considered come with significant drawbacks either in size (DIY PC), performance (other mini PCs), or compatibility with my game library and my need for PC functionality (consoles). This does not make me a fan of a brand. Any other manufacturer could have come up with a similar system, I would be cheering it just the same. It's got nothing to do with Valve or Steam.
By keeping talking about me instead of the subject, you're showing signs of some very narrow-minded thinking.No it's not.