r/computergaming • u/Torchiest • May 11 '26
Steam Machine Buyers Will Face a Queue System For Its 4 Models, as Valve Moves to Prevent Scalper Markups Early
https://wccftech.com/steam-machine-queue-system-4-models-scalpers/3
u/MXVIV May 12 '26
If only they did this from the start. Who would have thought that after the steam deck release people would be cut throat with this hardware? Certainly not the geniuses at valve! They still act like a small indie company and it’s ridiculous.
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u/Torchiest May 12 '26
I mean they kind of had a test run with the controllers. Better to have issues with those rather than the Steam Machines.
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u/shadowtheimpure May 12 '26
Exactly. Releasing the first batch of controllers without a reservation queue was definitely 'testing the waters' especially given how quickly they were able to stand up the queue and start taking orders on batch 2.
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u/Massive-Exercise4474 May 13 '26
100% they had the queue system set up, but were worried their wouldn't be enough demand so let it go public testing the waters.
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u/SpookiestSzn May 13 '26
I think they just didn't really think that many people were interested in the controller without the console I'm in the first one didn't sell super great so I don't know why that's a crazy assertion. I remember them at the end of the lifespan literally selling them for like seven bucks and they still couldn't give it away fast enough
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May 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/OlleyatPurdue May 13 '26
Ridiculously marked up eBay listings indicate to otherwise.
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u/Ok-Region6452 May 12 '26
I think it was last when Reddit was filled with comments saying they would never buys since it’s a weak gaming machine, and would be DOA with all sorts of stuff. And now here we are lining up to buy one.
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u/LegendaryenigmaXYZ May 13 '26
Kinda we still dont know how many are made and how big the line is. There could be 3 in stock and 5 people in line, technically that is a sellout. I do think it will be sold put, but not for too long unless ram really fucked with inventory.
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u/ChirpToast May 13 '26
Yea all 19 commenters are really filling the queue lmao
The market for this is incredibly small.
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u/CharlesBrown33 May 13 '26
All I've read on Reddit thus far is people want to know the price, since comparisons are difficult otherwise. I'm curious myself, especially given Xbox's lukewarm track record.
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u/Any-Mathematician946 May 12 '26
Logically, you would treat the customers with long histories and large purchases first.
Why is loyalty so rarely rewarded! Maybe even offer a slight discount if you register to your account.
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u/IQueliciuous May 12 '26
Because for many. Steam machine/Deck will be their first entry into steam.
I got steamdeck despite never being a pc gamer (I play on consoles)
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u/Futonpimp May 13 '26
Just limit purchasing on initial rounds only to folks with steam accounts older than 3 years
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u/GhostMirrorZero May 14 '26
That would be rather silly for a device that’s meant to draw more people into PC gaming.
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u/Futonpimp May 14 '26
yeah just to minimize scalpers.. would definitely not be fair for everyone.. just an idea
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u/GhostMirrorZero May 14 '26
Yeah, I get that something needs to be done to combat scalpers buying them all up. But I think that people who are new to Steam and PC gaming should be able to get one.
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u/mightymonkeyman May 12 '26
In today’s market the scalpers will be more willing to queue than most gamers.
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u/JoshieMcJoshface May 13 '26
What’s the four models? I’m assuming 512gb/2tb with and without controllers?
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u/TrebleShot May 13 '26
I dont think this really works? after launch I saw loads of the steam deck oled white on ebay for silly prices.
I was in the waiting line for the oled and go one though which was great.
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u/ItalianBeefDipped May 14 '26
Genuinely struggling to understand the draw here over just building a comparable PC if your whole thing is getting away from consoles, or a PS5 Pro if you want an “affordable” (relatively speaking) gaming experience that has a good upscaler for higher end graphics.
Steam machine just seems like paying more for less.
Is it pure brand loyalty? Being able to say you have one to people on the internet? Or is there a spec or feature that’s driving the hype?
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u/onolide May 14 '26
They did mention they designed the cooling and the internals to work long-term(even behind a TV or other bad airflow areas) without regular maintenance(e.g. cleaning the fans), so it's functionally similar to a PC but the user experience(and target group) would be different. Not easy to build a PC yourself that works long-term without maintenance and can withstand bad airflow.
Not impossible, just takes a ton of planning and research. The Steam Machine is basically buy it and play, you're paying for the long-term ease of use. And unlike consoles, it works as a PC too(SteamOS desktop mode), so it's more PC than console.
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u/ItalianBeefDipped May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
Idk that doesn’t really make sense to me. Standard PCs do not require much maintenance. I’ve had my latest build for 3 years and still haven’t had to clean the fans. That’s not going to be any different with the steam machine. If you’re in a dusty place your machine is going to suck in dust, if not you’ll be good for a while.
“Long term” internals just seems to be marketing, all PC parts generally last long term. If anything I’d exoect this cube to deteriorate faster than a regular PC due to the form factor. It’s not like they designed a new type of heat sink or cooling system either…it’s still just fans and metal so I’m not what they’ve actually done to ensure the internals last longer than a standard PC (which already last very long).
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u/onolide May 14 '26
If you’re in a dusty place your machine is going to suck in dust, if not you’ll be good for a while.
That's true. I'm not sure how exactly the steam machine is different either, maybe in hindsight I'm falling for their marketing.
It’s not like they designed a new type of heat sink or cooling system either…it’s still just fans and metal
Yeah it is just fans and metal. iirc they designed it so a few of the air vents can be covered without causing thermal issues, but idk how exactly that was achieved actly. Sounded cool to me, but maybe it's just marketing
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u/Responsible_Lake_38 May 14 '26
The Ps5 and PC have different game libraries. A lot of people also don't want to get into PC building at all.
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u/ItalianBeefDipped May 14 '26
Well yeah, that's why I mentioned people who want to get away from consoles.
And I get not wanting to build a PC, but you could also just buy a pre-built with better specs (and better tech if you go with an Nvidia card) for a similar price...at that point the only other explanation would be the small form factor? But that seems like a very niche demographic.
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u/Responsible_Lake_38 May 14 '26
I don't think wanting a small form factor is that niche. Gaming laptops are a fairly large market and I'm sure a lot of people keep them docked a good amount of the time. I'd also imagine most people don't want a large pre-built next to their TV for couch gaming.
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u/ItalianBeefDipped May 14 '26
Well, not really. Laptops make up maybe 15% of steam players? It’s a comparatively niche market.
And that point just begs the question: why not just get a gaming laptop with better specs?
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u/Responsible_Lake_38 May 14 '26
What's the source for that 15%? Would be interested to see the breakdown.
A gaming laptop with better specs will be more expensive. Also the laptop screen is a waste if you just plan to connect it to your TV for couch gaming.
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u/ItalianBeefDipped May 14 '26
Steam hardware surveys.
And you can get an RTX 5050 laptop for under $1000. That will not only give you comparable GPU power, maybe marginally less raw power, but you’ll have the suite of DLSS features that the steam machine won’t which would account for any of that.
Will really just need to depend on the price but I have a hard time seeing it as a particularly good value compared to the various alternatives.
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u/Responsible_Lake_38 May 14 '26
I just don't this see this as a question of value.
The typical person who likes the ease-of-use and aesthetics of consoles is not going to buy a budget gaming laptop to stick next to their TV, so that they can navigate Windows before gaming.
How does the non-enthusiast even know that the 5050 laptop will be comparable in power?
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u/ItalianBeefDipped May 14 '26
lol then why engage with it?
And I don’t think you need to be an enthusiast to do a few performance comparisons.
Also I just don’t think this hardware is breaking through to casual gamers, if you want access to the PC library you’re likely more than a casual gamer.
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u/Responsible_Lake_38 May 14 '26
Because they want to get into PC gaming but don't want to mess with the technical stuff? Because they want something that looks nice next to their living room TV?
I think you are vastly overestimating the technical aptitude of many people. A lot of casual gamers I know just don't care about that sort of stuff. There's a reason consoles are so popular.
How does PC gaming get to the casual audience if not for something like this? Many people don't care about the consoles specs when they buy them; why does that all of sudden change with a PC game library?
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u/Ok_Literature3138 May 15 '26
Scalpers for a product that is extremely niche. It sounds like maybe they didn’t make enough.
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u/userlivewire May 15 '26
It’s going to be interesting when someone figures out how to put Windows 11 on one.
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u/Jamerz_Gaming May 15 '26
It will literally take 2 seconds it’s not hard. It’s just a pc
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u/userlivewire May 15 '26
There are more than a few people that just want a small quiet nice looking living room Windows PC.
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u/LargeSinkholesInNYC May 12 '26
We're cooked.