Article discusses the effect of rising hardware prices on the deck.
Some highlights:
How much worse has the pricing situation gotten for Valve since November? Superdata Research founder and SuperJoost newsletter author Joost van Dreunen suggested that the 512GB Steam Machine model would probably run $50 to $75 more than he expected when the Steam Machine was announced, and to expect a price “potentially $100+ above target” for the high-end 2TB model. That would mean a $599 to $629 price at the low-end and $849 to $899 for the high-end model, in his estimation.
Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter agreed that, even with the additional component costs, Valve would likely “try to get it out at $599 or so for the 512GB version,” A starting price higher than that would mean “abysmal” sales, he added. “I think $700 is a death sentence and $1,000 is unsellable.”
I’d recommend reading the article though, it has a lot more of value than just those quotes. It goes on to talk about how the price increases will likely hurt valve more than traditional console makers, and how these increases will affect sales.
It would be pretty silly to say that, wouldn’t it? Luckily it’s not something I said.
Framing it as depriving myself is an interesting approach, but as much of an egotist as I am, the equation is a smidge more complicated than that. Because I don’t spend money on toys it was not a source of stress when both my wife and I needed some dental work done last month. Sure, I’d like to have fun, but I’d also prefer not to stress about money when big expenses pop up. I spend a bit on myself here and there but I remember the '90s and compared to then I am absolutely drowning in entertainment. It’s truly magical.
…but that means that if an entertainment experience of some kind is priced higher than a certain point then I’m just not that fussed passing on it. My Steam Deck has plenty of life left in it yet!