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How to Buy the Steam Machine (2026): A Simple Step by Step Guide
The short answer
How does buying it actually work?
You cannot just walk up and buy one at launch. Valve is using a sign up system, like a virtual line, the same way it sold the Steam Deck. Here is the whole process:
- Sign up. On the Steam Store, pick the version you want during the sign up window.
- Wait for the draw. After sign ups close, Valve shuffles everyone into a random order. Signing up early does not move you up the line.
- Check your email. Valve emails you to say whether you are in the first group to buy, or on the waitlist for a later batch.
- Buy when invited. If you are in the first group, you have 72 hours to complete your purchase before your spot passes to the next person. Units start shipping on June 29, 2026.
Source: Polygon
Who is allowed to sign up?
The rules are simple and mostly there to stop scalpers. To join the line you need:
- A Steam account in good standing
- At least one purchase made on that account before April 27, 2026
- One sign up per household (Valve checks payment and address details)
If you have used Steam normally for a while, you already qualify.
Which version should you choose?
| Version | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 512 GB | $1,049 | A few games at a time, plus a microSD card for extra room |
| 512 GB and Controller | $1,128 | New buyers who do not own a Steam Controller yet |
| 2 TB | $1,349 | Keeping lots of big games installed, plus bonus covers |
| 2 TB and Controller | $1,428 | The complete living room setup in one order |
The 2 TB version also includes two swappable covers (red fabric and a wood finish) that are not sold on their own.
Where can you buy it?
At launch it ships to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. A partner called Komodo handles some Asian regions. South Korea is not included at launch. Prices and tax vary by country.
What if you do not make the first group?
If you land on the waitlist, do not worry. Valve emails waitlisted buyers as new batches are built. Shipping continues past June 29 as more units are made, though the further back you are, the longer the wait.
A few tips before launch day
- Decide which version you want ahead of time. The sign up window does not last forever.
- Check your account early so there are no surprises when you go to sign up.
- Leave room in your budget for tax and shipping on top of the list price.
- Read the refund terms on the Steam Store before you commit.
Want to be sure it is right for you first? Look over the full specs and our comparison guides.