- Valve shares open source files for an e-paper display for Steam Machine
- Anyone can download, edit and share the files.
- The screen can be attached to the body of the Steam Machine and display useful information.
I have to admit, after Valve announced the $1,049/£879 (around AU$1,500) price tag for the Steam Machine, my enthusiasm for the compact gaming PC took a nosedive, but a recent move by the company has gone some way to restoring my faith.
As noted by Brad Lynch on Twitter, Valve has shared the instructions, 3D printing files, software, and bill of materials needed for people to build their own e-paper display that can be attached to the body of the Steam Machine, which can then be used to display information such as temperatures and performance of PC components.
Valve uploaded the full bill of materials, 3D printing files, and instructions for those who want to build their own e-ink faceplate for the Steam Machine. “Inkterface” was first shown alongside the initial Steam Hardware announcements last year pic.twitter.com/MirrJP34LlJuly 2, 2026
Dubbed the ‘ink interface’, this second screen turns the Steam Machine into a retro-looking PC, and is a great reminder of why PC gaming can be so much fun, as well as why, despite having its own problems, Valve is still one of the most interesting companies in the gaming industry.
Here’s what Valve suggests you need:
do it yourself
The fact that Valve is sharing these files and instructions as open source is very commendable, as it means that anyone can use, change, update and improve them without paying a cent, as long as they have the right tools and materials.
Being able to build your own rig, mod and modify your PC is one of the things I love most about PC gaming, so it’s great to see that Valve hasn’t completely abandoned its PC roots. Offering ways to add strange, quirky, but also useful parts to the Steam Machine suddenly makes it a lot more interesting.
Of course, I still think that building your own compact gaming PC and installing SteamOS to create your own Steam Machine is a cheaper (and more fun) way to do things, and again, it’s a testament to how open-ended PC gaming can be.
Even if you don’t have the time, materials or inclination to build your own ‘ink interface’ screen for your Steam Machine, you can still benefit as other builders, and even retailers, will be able to make their own and sell them.
The Steam Machine’s future success, then, could depend on its hacking capabilities, which could also be the key to extending its lifespan. While I’m still not entirely convinced, this goes some way to making the high price a little easier to swallow.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to receive news, reviews and opinions from our experts in your feeds.
The best PC drivers
