Since its announcement last November, the **Steam Machine** has generated a lot of discussion. On paper, the promise is interesting, but the crisis affecting the computer world with delirious prices on DRAM and NAND has complicated Valve's task... To the point of making the **Steam Machine** concept already obsolete? A small cube, a large cube... In November 2025, Valve makes headlines by announcing three new hardware products to complete its offer, previously limited to only the **Steam Deck**. The **Steam Controller** is a unique product that distinguishes itself from classic game controllers. The **Steam Frame**, we have not yet had the opportunity to get close to our eyelids... Perhaps soon. The **Steam Machine** remains, which we had a bit of difficulty finding, but which is now under scrutiny. Our **Steam Machine** was delivered with a **Steam Controller**. Valve ensures exemplary packaging and shipping of its product. Note that in France, it exclusively uses the GLS carrier... Useful information if you know this company has issues in your area. For our part, it was always a perfect delivery with home delivery without any surprises or at a relay point. The box therefore arrived without any problems. Valve again uses a "100% cardboard" packaging with a relatively large box to gather the **Steam Machine** box and, next to it, that of the **Steam Controller** which we had taken in addition. The **Steam Machine** box opens nicely, with the top part folding back to reveal the mini-PC in its black bag. Once all items are unpacked, we end up with the **Steam Machine** and some accessories. In addition to the mini-PC, we have the **Steam Controller** since we took it in addition, its famous connection puck, a USB cable, always for the controller, and two other cables to connect the **Steam Machine** to the power outlet: one cable for European sockets and another for British ones. Valve does not deliver a network cable. However, first good surprise: no external power brick as on many mini-PCs. The "cube" itself is absolutely adorable. First, it is by its size: only 16.2 centimeters in depth for 15.8 cm in width and 15.2 cm in height. A nice little cube that does not even occupy 3.9 liters of volume. Difficult to make more compact. Logically, the weight is of the same order, we are talking here about a little more than 2.5 kg for a machine that, we have said, integrates its power supply and therefore suffices to itself. Its adorable side, the **Steam Machine** owes it also to its elegance. Entirely black, the beast can be delivered with two additional facades... On the most expensive edition, not ours. Apart from two USB-A ports (10 Gbps), a microSD reader, a control LED, a power button and the famous "LED bar", the front is completely bare. The idea is obviously to be able to slip it into any interior. The HDMI CEC is an asset, but the 1 GbE port is a bit out of place. The **Steam Machine** is designed for video gaming, but it functions like a classic mini-PC. It is significantly more expensive than the average mini-PC, but it will provide the same services with obvious weaknesses given the processor or the amount of RAM. The six cores of the AMD Custom CPU 1772 will be a bit short for heavy 3D processing and the 16 GB of RAM will not allow an AI agent to express itself fully. The **Steam Machine** is not at the forefront of technology. The question is whether it allows for peaceful gaming.