Steam Machine Starts at $1,049 – A Cheaper Walmart PC Build Beats It on Value
Valve has priced the Steam Machine starting at $1,049 for the 512GB model, which does not include a controller, drawing widespread criticism for poor value against PS5 and Xbox consoles. The high price is partly attributed to the ongoing RAM crisis driving up component costs. Reviewers point to the Acer Nitro 60 gaming PC at Walmart — powered by an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 — as a cheaper and more capable alternative for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
Valve's announcement of the Steam Machine price has unsurprisingly spoiled the excitement of the console-like PC competing in the market. Starting at $1,049 for the 512GB model that comes without the controller is simply unappealing to both PC enthusiasts and newcomers, making PS5 and Xbox consoles look far more valuable, despite their recent price increases.Ultimately, the blame isn't completely on Valve. Just like MSI's new Claw 8 AI+ EX handheld with an MSRP of $1,799 (which is far more outrageous), Valve has had its hand forced by the impact of the RAM crisis, making the Steam Machine an overpriced mini PC. (Image credit: Valve)The Acer Nitro 60 gaming PC is one of the best choices for any gamer looking to dive into the PC ecosystem, with Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 GPU ready to provide great performance at 1080p and at 1440p when using upscaling. View DealFortunately, though, there are far better pre-built gaming PC options available on the market. No, they're not on Amazon as Prime Day deals, but yes, they're much cheaper than the Steam Machine and more powerful.One in particular is the Acer Nitro 60 available on Walmart for $898 (was £1,449.99), saving customers an incredible $551.99. With this specific build featuring an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8GB GPU, this is a gaming PC that will provide solid performance at 1080p and even 1440p when using Nvidia's DLSS 4.5.(Image credit: Acer / Nvidia)It's also worth noting that it's using 16GB of DDR5 RAM, in a market where memory prices are completely out of whack due to the ongoing crisis, and a 1TB SSD that's just about enough for most setups.The Steam Machine's base model is not only currently more expensive than this Acer Nitro 60 PC build, but it's limited to 512GB of storage space, and will be outperformed by the Nitro 60's RTX 5060 GPU.AMD's FSR 4 has only just been made available for RDNA 3 architecture, which includes the Steam Machine's custom AMD GPU, but this reportedly won't be at launch, and doesn't stack up to Nvidia's DLSS 4.5 in terms of performance and image quality. The only major advantage the Steam Machine holds over the Nitro 60 gaming PC in terms of game performance is its AMD hardware, which will run better on SteamOS, as Nvidia hardware isn't suited for the operating system just yet — but this is likely going to change in the future.With the unpredictable climate of the PC hardware market, a move for the Acer Nitro 60 is a no-brainer, especially at such an affordable price.More Prime Day deals in the USAmazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair toolsCheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & SamsungLaptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothingVacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34
Ravensburger has revealed the first Disney Lorcana trading cards featuring characters from Pixar's beloved 2009 film Up, including Carl Fredricksen, Russell, and Paradise Falls. The reveal comes nearly 17 years after the film's iconic opening montage left audiences in tears. The publisher appears to have captured the emotional heart of the movie that made it a classic.
MultiCon 2026 will feature a reunion of the cast and creators behind the classic animated series Hey Arnold!, marking one of the convention's headline events. Other notable guests include comic book artist Rob Liefeld and The Walking Dead showrunner Scott M. Gimple. The convention is organized to benefit charity.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhij Tychyj stated on Tuesday that Kyiv maintains continuous diplomatic contact with Warsaw and is actively working to ease tensions between the two countries. Ukraine expressed support for dialogue even on difficult historical issues. The statement comes amid ongoing friction in Polish-Ukrainian relations.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei announced on Tuesday that Tehran will not grant the International Atomic Energy Agency permission to inspect the nuclear facilities that were bombed. The refusal further deepens tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear programme. The IAEA has so far been denied access to the targeted sites.
Orlen, Unimot, PGE, and Enea have all contracted transmission capacity at a third LNG terminal planned for construction in Poland. Until now, Orlen has effectively held a monopoly over gas imports into the country. The entry of state-owned energy companies and the private fuel firm Unimot could break that dominance and inject real competition into the Polish gas market.
The CEO of Visa Poland argues that agentic commerce – where AI completes purchases on behalf of a person or company – is a transformation far broader than simple transaction automation. It encompasses the entire shopping journey, from search and comparison through to payment and post-purchase support. Success in this model will depend not on automation alone, but on trust, user control, and process security.
A UK heatwave has triggered red weather warnings and school closures across the country. The Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S offers mist-based cooling, multiple speed settings, oscillation, and a turbo mode. It's described as mess-free and affordably priced, making it a practical solution for working from home during extreme heat.
Here in the UK, it's been absolutely sweltering for the past couple of days. It's even got to the point where schools and other institutions are shutting down, with red weather warnings popping up around the country. I have to say, even working from home in this heat can be quite the challenge — but there's something you can do to make your life a lot easier: snap up a shiny new misting fan. That's right, I recently got my hands on the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S, and it's been an absolute lifesaver. This affordable device has kept me cool, even at the hottest times of day. It's mess-free, has a number of different speed settings, can oscillate, and there's even a turbo mode if you need to get a real blast of cold.I'll include more details about the fan below, as well as a few alternatives to keep you nice and cool, whether you're in the UK or beyond.Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S — US best priceOver in the US, you can grab the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S for less than $100, which is a great price considering its talents. It's a desktop fan with mess-free misting, various control modes, 12 speed settings, and Turbo cooling tech that's sure to keep you chilled on the hottest of days.View DealDreo Smart Misting Fan 516S — UK best priceThe Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S is a great desktop fan that will keep you nice and chilled in the sizzling summer sun. It has 12 speed modes, Turbo cooling tech, mess-free misting, and can oscillate to catch every angle. At less than £100, it's well worth the investment.View DealIn my recently published Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review, I raved about the model's excellent misting effect, which never creates excess water build-up, as well as its wide variety of control options — including app and voice assistant compatibility — and its generally quiet performance in use.Does it have massive coverage or the most striking airflow you'll experience? No — it's a desktop fan first and foremost. But given its relatively compact size, it performs very well indeed, and its generous 1.3L water tank means you won't have to refill it too often. As a result, it gets my full recommendation.Still, a lot of misting fans are selling out pretty quickly in the UK, and more generally, you may fancy checking out a few other options. As a result, I've found a few alternatives that you can check out. Just scroll down to see a few more options for fending off excessive heat this summer.More fans to check out — USThe Shark 3-in-1 ChillPill received a fantastic 4.5 stars in our recent review. It's a great performing fan with effective misting, and it's an excellent alternative to the Dreo if you've got a little more wiggle-room in your budget.View DealIf you really want to take things up a notch then I've got yet another Shark fan that could be ideal for you: the FlexBreeze Pro Mist. This one's fantastic for indoor or outdoor use, and has a 24 hour battery life too, although it can be plugged in and used if you run dry. View DealMore fans to check out — UKShark's 3-in-1 ChillPill earned a solid score of 4.5 stars in our recent review. Now, only one colourway is on sale right now, and they did inflate the list price to make it look like a big deal, but the actual offer of £10 off on a brand-new product that mists, cools, and fans is still pretty neat.View DealThe Pro Mist is the most hardcore option in the FlexBreeze lineup, because it comes with the mister attachment and an integrated water tank included. That means it's all set up to envelop you in a cooling cloud whenever and wherever you want.View Deal
DNA analysis of a Neanderthal individual known as Thorin has revealed a previously unknown population of Neanderthals that remained isolated from other groups for approximately 50,000 years. The finding adds a major new piece to the puzzle of Neanderthal genetic diversity. Scientists note that despite significant research progress, many mysteries about our extinct cousins remain unsolved.
According to Vanguard's latest "How America Saves" report, 2024 was an exceptionally strong year for workplace retirement savers in the United States. 401(k) account balances reached record highs across the board. The report provides benchmarks that allow individual savers to compare their own balances against national averages.
Drinks from the communist-era Polish People's Republic (PRL) were a staple of everyday life for generations of Poles. An online quiz tests whether readers can recall all the iconic beverages of that period. Younger generations are expected to struggle with achieving a perfect score.
Meta has halted a program that tracked its employees' computer usage to generate AI training data, just two months after launching it. The decision came in response to privacy concerns raised by workers. The monitoring initiative lasted only a few weeks before being suspended.
Experts say that growing uncertainty and fear of an increasingly complex world are key drivers of social and political polarisation. The phenomenon is observed across many countries and affects broad sections of society. Specialists note that simplified narratives become more appealing during periods of instability and anxiety.
The 5th Space Sector Forum is set to take place in Poznań on Wednesday, June 25, 2026. The event is a recurring gathering dedicated to the space industry in Poland. No detailed programme or list of speakers was provided in the announcement.
To mark Sonic the Hedgehog's 35th anniversary, Sega and pinball manufacturer Jersey Jack Pinball unveiled a brand-new Sonic the Hedgehog pinball table on June 23, 2026. While Sonic has featured in pinball-inspired video game levels before, this is the mascot's first fully legitimate pinball machine. The announcement was made on the exact anniversary date.
Users running Windows 10 report serious malfunctions with Radeon software after installing AMD Adrenalin driver version 26.6.2. AMD has confirmed the bug, which appeared alongside an update that introduced support for FSR 4.1, among other features. The company advises affected users to roll back to version 26.6.1 until a fix is released.
Claiming Social Security benefits before reaching full retirement age while continuing to work can trigger unexpected withholdings on monthly checks. However, the withheld money is not permanently lost — it is returned after full retirement age through higher monthly payments. Understanding the earnings threshold that triggers withholdings is key to avoiding financial surprises.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored in the 6th minute against Uzbekistan to become the first footballer ever to net at six separate FIFA World Cup tournaments. The 41-year-old surpassed Lionel Messi, who never reached that milestone. The goal came early in Portugal's group-stage match and cements Ronaldo's place in World Cup history.
US President Donald Trump will attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup final and help present the trophy to the winning team, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The tournament is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Trump's appearance at the final will mark a rare direct involvement of a sitting US president in a major football event.
CBS Mornings is experiencing its worst June ratings on record, with viewership dropping by several hundred thousand compared to the prior monthly average. The slump followed directly from the firing of journalist Scott Pelley and the upheaval surrounding commentator Bari Weiss. The back-to-back controversies have triggered a significant audience exodus from the morning show.
FIFA has revoked the World Cup 2026 press accreditation of Paraguayan commentator Jorge Verza after he verbally attacked the referee, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and football's governing bodies during a live broadcast of Paraguay's match against Turkey. Verza referred to Infantino as a "thief" on air. FIFA deemed his remarks unacceptable and barred him from the remainder of the tournament.
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