Tariffs, component volatility, and Valve’s tolerance for losses all lead to uncertainty.

The title is a bit misleading, as the article lists diverging analysts’ opinions, ranging from Valve willing to sell at a loss or low margins, to high prices due to RAM and SSD price volatility.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.blackeco.com/post/2330473

  • halcyoncmdr@lemmy.worldEnglish
    161·
    7 hours ago

    Depends on whether they negotiated contract pricing beforehand. The price increases aren’t because of manufacturing cost increases, they’re because of high demand. Retail pricing isn’t really related to bulk wholesale contract pricing at all.

    • Kyrgizion@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      6 hours ago

      I think they might eat the extra costs because they know they’ll more than recuperate it from increased software sales. Hell, XboX as a console was a loss leader for MS for over a decade.

      • CancerMancer@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
        3·
        4 hours ago

        The issue is that if you sell the PC at a loss, you’re effectively subsidzing every person and business who wants an SFF-PC but may not necessarily buy games for them. It’s not like the Steam Deck where you can bet the majority of those devices are ending up in the hands of gamers.