Valve將延後新一代Steam Machine上市時間
Valve(玩家暱稱的V社)近期已正式對外確認,原定於2026年第一季推出的新一代Steam Machine及相關硬體產品,將因全球記憶體與儲存裝置供應短缺、成本急遽上升而被迫延期。這次延後並非產品研發受阻,而是典型的供應鏈與市場結構問題,也再次凸顯近年硬體產業在AI浪潮衝擊下所面臨的現實壓力。
根據目前釋出的最新資訊,Steam Machine的上市時程已從原本相對明確的 2026 年初,調整為較為保守的「2026年上半年」。這樣的說法雖然仍保留彈性,但也反映出V社對於短期內零組件價格與供應穩定性的高度不確定感。對Valve 而言,Steam Machine並非單純的實驗性產品,而是被定位為「客廳 PC」與Steam 生態系延伸的重要一環,上市時機與定價策略若失誤,將直接影響市場接受度。
延後發售的核心原因,在於記憶體與儲存裝置成本的全面失控。隨著全球AI產業持續擴張,資料中心、AI伺服器與高效能運算設備大量搶購硬體資源,DDR5 記憶體價格被推升至原本的三到四倍,遠超過一般消費性產品可承受的成本區間。在這樣的背景下,V社若維持原本規劃的售價,勢必面臨毛利被吞噬甚至虧損的風險;但若將成本全數轉嫁給消費者,又可能讓Steam Machine在價格上失去競爭力。因此,Valve目前正重新評估整體定價結構,試圖在「不賠錢」與「不賣太貴」之間找到平衡點。
受到影響的並不只有Steam Machine主機本身。V社也坦言,新一代Steam Controller 控制器,以及主打沉浸式體驗的Steam Frame VR裝置,同樣被納入時程與價格的重新檢討名單之中。這意味著Valve正以整體硬體產品線為單位進行調整,而非單點延期,顯示出對長期硬體策略的審慎態度,而不是倉促推出不成熟或成本失衡的產品。
在延期消息帶來不確定性的同時,Valve也刻意釋出部分正面訊號以穩定市場信心。其中最受玩家關注的一點,是Steam Machine在硬體設計上的高度開放性。V 社已確認,該主機將支援可自行更換與升級的NVMe SSD(包含2230與2280規格),記憶體則採用DDR5 SODIMM,同樣允許使用者自行升級。這項設計不僅延續PC平台一貫的彈性,也讓玩家在未來零組件價格回落時,能以較低成本自行擴充效能,降低一次性購買的心理門檻。
值得注意的是,這次延期更多是供應鏈問題,而非技術或研發進度落後。AMD執行長蘇姿丰日前在法說會中也間接證實,從晶片與產品開發的角度來看,這台搭載AMD處理器的Steam Machine仍處於「按計畫完成」的狀態。換言之,產品本身已準備就緒,真正拖慢腳步的是市場環境,而非工程能力。
整體來看,全球零件荒與AI產業的資源虹吸效應,確實為Steam Machine的登場蒙上一層陰影,但這也讓Valve有機會重新校準產品定位與上市節奏。對玩家而言,延期雖然令人失望,卻也意味著 V 社不願在成本與體驗尚未達到理想平衡前倉促推出產品。若能順利撐過這段高成本週期,Steam Machine仍有機會在2026年下半年,以更合理的價格與更成熟的姿態,真正成為連結PC與客廳遊戲體驗的重要節點。
Valve has officially confirmed that due to a global shortage of memory (RAM) and storage components driving costs out of control, the Steam Machine and its related hardware—originally scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026—will be delayed.
According to the latest updates, the launch window has shifted from early 2026 (Q1) to a more vague timeframe in the first half of 2026. Pricing is also being re-evaluated, as aggressive component purchasing by the AI industry has caused DDR5 memory prices to surge by three to four times, forcing Valve to reconsider its pricing strategy to avoid either selling at a loss or setting prices too high for consumers. The impact is not limited to the Steam Machine console itself; the new Steam Controller and the Steam Frame VR device are also under schedule and pricing review.
On the hardware front, Valve has confirmed that the Steam Machine will allow users to freely replace and upgrade both its SSD (NVMe 2230/2280) and memory (DDR5 SODIMM), reinforcing its positioning as a flexible “living-room PC.” While the ongoing component shortage has cast a shadow over the device’s debut, AMD CEO Lisa Su recently stated during an earnings call that, from a product development standpoint, this AMD-powered system remains on track and has been completed on schedule.
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