Meanwhile, Dbrand has revealed a Portal-themed Companion Cube skin for Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine. This announcement comes just as Valve’s 2026 hardware timeline takes shape, strongly suggesting that the console’s exterior design is already locked in. The early reveal also hints that third-party accessory makers are already preparing for launch, likely working with near-final hardware specs.
Companion Cube styling brings Portal nostalgia to life
The teaser shows a minimal cube silhouette and a 2026 release date. While Dbrand hasn’t revealed full images yet, the Companion Cube reference is clear: pink hearts, industrial panels, and a nod to one of Portal‘s most iconic objects.
Fans of Valve’s past titles will likely recognize the homage instantly, and the cube design feels made for it.
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Steam Machine specs reveal a compact powerhouse
Recent reporting paints a clear picture of what’s under the hood:
- 6-core Zen 4 CPU
- 28 CU RDNA 3 GPU
- 16 GB DDR5 + 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 512 GB or 2 TB SSD, microSD expansion slot
- Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 1 GbE Ethernet
- DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, USB-A, and USB-C
- Cube chassis: 152 × 162.4 × 156 mm, 2.6 kg, 17 RGB LEDs
These specs suggest the system is aimed at 1440p gaming, with 4K possible using FSR upscaling.
Dbrand’s timing hints at final chassis dimensions
Since Dbrand has begun templating the Companion Cube skin, the hardware design must be stable. Accurate skin fitting requires exact cutouts for ports, curves, and vents. Any late-stage tweaks by Valve could force last-minute changes, but the silhouette seems locked in.
More custom options may follow
Although the Companion Cube skin is the only one teased so far, it likely won’t be the last. Valve’s legacy leaves plenty of visual material to draw from think Half-Life, Aperture Science, or even Team Fortress 2. And with a cube-shaped console, it’s a designer’s dream canvas.
