Valve Fans Push 4K Steam Link Revival as Steam Machine Price Fears Grow

Q: With its new Steam Machine priced over $1000, will Valve also cater to PC gamers with a cheaper Steam Link 2?

There is no evidence yet that Valve is making a cheaper Steam Link 2, even as demand for one is clearly growing. What is clear is the market logic behind the request. If Valve’s new Steam Machine lands above $1,000, it targets buyers who want a full living-room PC. A modern Steam Link would serve a different audience: people who already own a strong gaming PC and just want an easy, reliable way to play on a TV. That is why fans are asking for a small box with 4K, HDR, VRR, low-latency decoding, Ethernet, modern Wi‑Fi, and tight Steam Controller support. Valve’s broader strategy makes the idea plausible. Since the original Steam Link was discontinued in 2018, Valve has leaned on software through the Steam Link app and Remote Play. But the company is still active in hardware, with the Steam Deck proving its Linux-and-Proton approach works, a new Steam Controller launching in 2026, and a new Steam Machine on the way. That gives Valve the ecosystem pieces for a dedicated streaming box if it wants one. The obstacle is history. The original Steam Link never became a major hit and was eventually sold at deep discounts. Its biggest weakness was dependence on home-network quality, a problem that still affects streaming in 2026. Valve may judge that apps on TVs, phones, and third-party devices already cover this use case well enough. So the short answer is: fans want it, the case for it is stronger with a costly Steam Machine, but Valve has not announced a Steam Link 2.

2 articles · Updated · Notebookcheck.net · Jun 15

Reddit users are calling for a modern Steam Link box, arguing an official low-friction streamer would be a better living-room option than a potentially expensive Steam Machine.
Fans want 4K, HDR, VRR, low-latency decoding, updated wireless, Ethernet and Steam Controller integration so existing PC owners can play on a TV without another full gaming device.
Valve discontinued the original Steam Link hardware in 2018 after launching it in 2015, shifting instead to the Steam Link app for phones, smart TVs and other devices.
Critics note the first box never broke through, was heavily discounted and often struggled when home-network quality was poor, leaving any reboot uncertain despite continued demand.