Confused by Your Steam Machine Preorder Email? Here’s How It Works

With the Steam Machine set to release on June 29, many potential buyers are currently staring at confusing notifications in their inboxes. Valve has begun sending out the results of its randomized drawing for the new living room PC, but the terminology has left more than a few people scratching their heads.

Understanding Your Steam Machine Status

It is important to note that the email you just received is not the actual checkout link. Instead, it is a notification regarding your status in the randomized selection process. Depending on your results, you are either in the “queue” or on the “waitlist.”

If you are in the reservation queue, you are effectively next in line. Valve will send you a second, separate email when your specific model—such as the 512GB version—is ready to ship. Once that email arrives, you have a three-day window to complete your purchase. If you miss that window, your reservation is canceled and the spot moves to the next person.

If you were placed on the waitlist, your place in the randomized drawing fell behind the number of units currently available in this production run. You will only be notified if a spot opens up, which would occur if another customer cancels their reservation. If you were on the waitlist for multiple models, you have been placed on the list for the one you were closest to securing.

One-Time Randomization

Valve has confirmed that this is the only email you will receive regarding the results of the initial randomization. Furthermore, for those who signed up for multiple models, the system has already optimized your status: you were allocated a spot for the highest-end model you requested, and your name was removed from the queues for all other versions.

Early impressions of the hardware suggest a capable, quiet, and compact device, though it comes with a premium price tag. Depending on your configuration, the Steam Machine will cost between $1,050 and $1,430. While it offers a distinct way to bring PC gaming into the living room, it is worth keeping an eye on your inbox—and your bank account—as the June 29 launch date approaches.