The Steam Machine represents the start of a pricier future for gaming. According to The Verge, game consoles are hitting new price points, PC components are spiking in cost, and the era of affordable handheld gaming is fading. A global RAM shortage is the primary driver—the same supply crunch that's making PC gaming more expensive across the board. For gamers on a budget, the message is clear: next-generation hardware has become a luxury purchase.

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