Valve is finally moving forward with its second-generation (2nd-Gen) Steam Machine. On May 29, the company added a native welcome tour for the unreleased mini PC to its digital storefront. Hardware analyst Bradley Lynch spotted the backend update. Consequently, this addition heavily suggests the Linux-powered living room PC is nearing its official release.
Steam Machine’s welcome tour was added to Steam’s Backend last night pic.twitter.com/draQoA4Fba
— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) May 30, 2026
Following the Steam Controller Playbook
Lynch discovered the interactive guide by analyzing minified JavaScript code, which he shared on X. The tutorial confirms the upcoming device features a microSD slot. It actively teaches users how to insert, eject, and format their cards. Furthermore, Valve created two distinct versions of the tour. One targets first-time users, while the other allows owners to manually replay the tutorial later.
Interestingly, Valve appears to be repeating its recent hardware rollout strategy. Previously, the company added a similar backend welcome tour for the Steam Controller on April 2. Exactly 25 days later, Valve officially announced the gamepad’s pricing and availability. The hardware then launched just over a month after the initial leak. If Valve follows this exact pattern, the company will announce a release date in late June. As a result, the Steam Machine could hit the market by early July 2026.
AI Investments Disrupt the Supply Chain
Valve originally announced the mini PC in mid-November 2025. At the time, the company promised an “early 2026” release window. However, six months have passed without any hardware materializing.
Currently, industry watchers blame increasingly hostile component supply conditions. Hyperscalers, backed by massive AI investments, have absorbed much of the available global memory supply. Last month, Valve veteran Pierre-Loup Griffais addressed the situation. He stated that while launch preparation progressed well, severe supply chain logistics actively blocked the release.
Expect a Premium Price Tag for the 2nd-Gen Steam Machine
Whenever the mini PC finally arrives, buyers should expect serious sticker shock. Valve has consistently stated that the Steam Machine will be “priced like a PC”. Therefore, current component shortages suggest the final cost could disappoint even the most cautious fans.
Recently, Valve aggressively hiked the price of its 1TB OLED Steam Deck from $649 to $949. Although the Steam Machine lacks a built-in screen and battery, the hostile market guarantees it will not be cheap. Consequently, industry expectations suggest the starting price may easily sit well over $1,000.
