Steam Frame Pricing Is Absolute Madness
Valve is out of their mind charging this much, but I still want one. The pricing for the new headset dropped today. My wallet hurts just looking at the numbers.
I have run this blog for twenty years. I have seen crazy hardware launches. This one takes the cake.
What It Costs
The cheap option gets you 256GB of storage. It costs 1059 dolars--dollars I mean. That is the base price.
Need more storage space? You pay $1299 for the 1TB model. That is a huge jump in price for memory.
There is a micro SD slot on the side. But we do not know how fast it loads games yet.
Key Hardware Details
What do you get for all that cash? Here are the facts.
Screen resolution hits 2160x2160 per eye.
It runs on Wi-Fi 7 wireless tech.
* You can play Half-Life Alyx without a PC.
That last point sounds fake. Running Alyx on a mobile headset directly is nuts. I need to test that myself.
Hidden Extra Costs
Here is the catch. Valve stripped basic gear out of the box.
You do not get a wall plug charger. They sell that separate for $29.
Want color passthrough video? You need to buy an add-on camera. That costs another $149.
Accessories add up fast. Teh real total gets high real quick.
How The Reservation Works
Buying one will be tough. Valve is using a lottery system.
You sign up on their site right now. They randomize the queue order completely.
The first emails go out September 18. If you get selected, you get a link to pay.
My Final Take
Other headsets on the market cost less. But Valve makes solid gear. My old setup is dying anyway. I am going to try my luck on Friday.
Check your inbox if you signed up. Good luck out there.