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Valve may have a significant problem with the pricing of its upcoming devices. According to the latest reports, shortages of RAM have significantly impacted production costs, leading to internal price increases, especially in the case of the Steam Machine.
RAM drives up production costs
Insider information indicates that component prices, especially RAM, have “shot” up, which has severely impacted more advanced Valve devices. Unlike the Steam Controller, which doesn’t use RAM and therefore could reach the market faster, hardware like the Steam Machine or Steam Frame is much more dependent on the availability of components. That’s why the controller debuts first; it’s simply easier and cheaper to produce under current market conditions.
Steam Machine Most Affected
The biggest price increases are expected to concern Steam Machine, the hardware that many gamers are waiting for. Valve's internal pricing targets were reportedly set to increase significantly after the worsening situation in the memory market. Additionally, rising transportation and logistics costs are also affecting the final price for customers. As a result, the final amount could be much higher than originally anticipated. If the leaks are confirmed, Valve's new devices may be more expensive than many gamers expected. In particular, the Steam Machine could cease to be an "affordable alternative" for PCs and move into a more premium segment.
source: wccftech
