The Steam Machine Just Got Its Most Exciting Upgrade — And It Comes from dbrand
Valve's Steam Machine has been one of the most anticipated pieces of gaming hardware in recent memory, and now that sales details are finally becoming clear, the excitement surrounding the console is reaching a fever pitch. But as impressive as the hardware itself promises to be, it may be an accessory from a third-party brand that steals the spotlight — at least in the style department. dbrand, the company known for pushing the boundaries of what a "skin" can be, has just opened pre-orders for a Companion Cube enclosure for the Steam Machine, and it is nothing short of spectacular.
What Is the Steam Machine?
For those who need a quick refresher, the Steam Machine is Valve's dedicated gaming console designed to bring the full PC gaming library into the living room. PC gamers have long had workarounds for playing their Steam libraries on the big screen — from Steam Link to simply hooking up a laptop to a television — but none of those solutions offered the clean, purpose-built hardware experience that a proper console provides.
Last fall, Valve officially announced the Steam Machine alongside a slate of other major product launches. The console represents Valve's most ambitious push yet into the living room gaming space, and while it comes with a notably premium price tag, there is clearly a significant audience willing to invest in a dedicated Steam gaming appliance. This week, Valve finally shared the specifics on how sales will begin, and reservations are getting ready to open for eager buyers.
With all that momentum building around the console itself, it's the perfect time for accessory makers to step in — and dbrand has done exactly that with impeccable timing and even more impeccable taste.
Introducing the dbrand Companion Cube Skin for Steam Machine
Calling this a "skin" almost feels like an insult. dbrand's Companion Cube accessory for the Steam Machine is not a simple vinyl wrap or a flat sticker sheet — it is a fully realized, three-dimensional enclosure that completely transforms the look of the console. Crafted from a combination of polyurethane and polycarbonate, the enclosure is engineered to faithfully recreate the iconic appearance of the Companion Cube from Valve's beloved first-person puzzle game, Portal.
If you've played Portal — or even if you've simply spent any time in gaming culture — you know exactly how iconic the Companion Cube is. With its distinctive pink hearts set against a grey cube design, the Companion Cube has become one of the most recognizable symbols in all of gaming. Seeing it realized as a full enclosure for the Steam Machine is the kind of crossover that feels both completely unexpected and utterly obvious in retrospect.
Pricing and Pre-Order Options
dbrand is offering the Companion Cube enclosure in two configurations, giving buyers the flexibility to choose what best suits their needs and budget.
- Companion Cube Skin (Standard): Available for $99.95, this option gives you the full Companion Cube enclosure to dress up your Steam Machine in Portal-inspired glory.
- Companion Cube Deluxe Package: Priced at $129.95, the deluxe bundle includes additional accessories or extras alongside the enclosure, making it the option for the most dedicated Portal fans who want the complete experience.
Pre-orders are now live, meaning those who want to guarantee themselves one of these enclosures should move sooner rather than later. Given the niche but passionate crossover audience between Steam Machine buyers and Portal enthusiasts, demand is likely to be strong, and dbrand products in limited-edition configurations have historically sold out quickly.
Why This Accessory Matters for the Steam Machine Ecosystem
Beyond being a beautifully designed collector's item, the dbrand Companion Cube enclosure signals something important for the Steam Machine's future: third-party accessory makers are already paying attention and investing in the platform. That kind of ecosystem buy-in is crucial for any gaming console's long-term success. When developers, accessory makers, and the broader gaming community rally around a piece of hardware, it creates momentum that sustains interest well beyond the initial launch window.
For Valve, seeing a company like dbrand put serious design and engineering resources into a Steam Machine accessory at launch is a strong validation signal. It suggests that the industry views the Steam Machine as more than a niche curiosity — it's being treated as a legitimate platform worth building around.
For consumers, it means that the Steam Machine isn't just a functional piece of gaming hardware. It's becoming a canvas for self-expression, a collectible, and a statement piece that can sit proudly in any gaming setup.
Is the Companion Cube Enclosure Worth It?
Whether the Companion Cube enclosure is worth $99.95 or $129.95 depends entirely on how much Portal and Valve's gaming legacy means to you. As a piece of pure functionality, you don't need a custom enclosure for your Steam Machine to work perfectly well. But gaming has never been purely about function. It's about passion, identity, and community — and few accessories on the market right now capture that spirit as effectively as this one does.
For long-time Portal fans who are already planning to invest in the Steam Machine, adding the Companion Cube enclosure is an easy decision. It transforms what would otherwise be a sleek but conventional-looking console into a genuine conversation piece and a tribute to one of gaming's most beloved titles.
How to Pre-Order the dbrand Companion Cube for Steam Machine
Pre-orders for the dbrand Companion Cube enclosure are currently live through dbrand's official website. Buyers can choose between the standard $99.95 option and the deluxe $129.95 package depending on their preferences. Given the limited-edition nature of dbrand's specialty products, it's worth acting quickly if this is something you're seriously considering.
Meanwhile, Valve's own Steam Machine reservation process is also getting underway, so if you haven't already secured your place in line for the console itself, now is the time to do that as well. The combination of Valve's long-awaited living room gaming hardware and dbrand's wildly creative Companion Cube enclosure makes for a setup that any self-respecting PC gamer and Portal fan would be proud to display in their home.
The Steam Machine era is officially here — and it's already looking better than anyone could have imagined.