It's safe to assume Valve has Steam Machine stock sitting pretty in a warehouse. Whether the suspected 20,000 units consist of 512GB and 2TB bundles with and without the new Steam Controller is still unknown, but code found at the backend of the mini PC's reservation page suggests all four options are on the table.
Highlighted by Redditor pepeizq, the Steam Machine reservation JavaScript code has been updated to include references to four mini PC listings alongside two Steam Frame bundles, Steam Deck models, and the standalone Steam Controller. We already know Valve will release 512GB and 2TB versions of the cube, which backs up the idea that the additional two packages are the same SKUs with full gamepad bundles.
In case you missed the memo, Valve still has a Steam Controller reservation system in place after the gamepad's launch wipeout. The system works similarly to that of the Steam Deck OLED, where once a unit is available, you have 72 hours to grab it from receiving the email. I suspect reserving a Steam Machine will work the same way, and the code change points towards a pre-order page emerging soon.
The part I'm really curious about is the number of Steam Machine bundle options. It's logical to assume the four are just the two capacity flavors with and without a controller, but the little speculative goblin in me wonders if we'll be presented with some different specs. Keep in mind that the PC storefront giant is and could still be wrestling with the final price due to component prices, and trimming back that 512GB minimum SSD side could shave something off the base MSRP.
Yes, I know a Steam Machine with less than half a gig of storage would be a nightmare. At least, it would be if you're playing most modern releases, but it could be a more affordable option for players really looking for an indie box to sit alongside their PS5 or Xbox Series X. Plus, the Machine's drive is one of the few components you can actually upgrade down the road, as the DDR5 RAM modules will be buried deeper in the cube.
The thing I'm admittedly fixated on ahead of the Steam Machine launch is sussing out the cheapest possible package. That may end up simply being the 512GB version without a Steam Controller, which will undeniably be the most popular option since most players already have a Steam Input-compatible gamepad at home. I've still not abandoned the idea of a surprise 256GB base unit or even an in-between 1TB option, though, as providing specs flexibility is one of the best ways to tackle the horrors of RAMageddon.
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