The Steam Machine Gets Its Most Exciting Upgrade Yet — And You Can Pre-Order It Right Now
Valve's Steam Machine has been one of the most talked-about hardware announcements in the gaming world since Valve revealed it last fall. With sales details finally starting to emerge, the hype around this dedicated living room gaming console is reaching a fever pitch. But just as the Steam Machine begins its journey to store shelves, a third-party accessory maker has swooped in with what might genuinely be the most exciting upgrade the console has seen so far — and it comes in the shape of a very familiar cube.
dbrand, the company known for its premium device skins and accessories, has launched pre-orders for a fully custom Steam Machine enclosure inspired by the iconic Companion Cube from Valve's beloved puzzle game Portal. If you've ever dreamed of having a piece of Portal lore sitting on your entertainment center while you game from your couch, this is the moment you've been waiting for.
What Exactly Is the Steam Machine?
Before diving into the accessory itself, it's worth taking a moment to understand what Valve's Steam Machine actually is and why it matters. PC gamers have long had the ability to stream or mirror their games from a dedicated rig onto a television, but dedicated, polished hardware from a major industry player has been harder to come by. Valve stepped up to fill that gap with the Steam Machine, a console designed to bring the full Steam gaming experience — library, interface, and all — directly to your living room without requiring you to lug a desktop PC out of a bedroom or office.
Announced alongside other major hardware launches by Valve last fall, the Steam Machine represents the company's most ambitious push into dedicated gaming hardware in years. The pricing has been described as steep, but demand among the core Steam community has remained strong. With reservation and sales details now beginning to emerge, the window for early adopters is opening fast.
dbrand's Companion Cube Skin: Far More Than a Sticker
When the word "skin" gets used in the context of gaming accessories, most people picture a simple vinyl wrap — a flat, printed sheet that clings to the surface of your device. dbrand's Companion Cube upgrade is something else entirely, and calling it a skin almost undersells the product.
Rather than a flat vinyl overlay, dbrand has engineered a fully three-dimensional enclosure crafted from a combination of polyurethane and polycarbonate materials. The result is a replacement shell that faithfully recreates the look of the Companion Cube in physical, tactile form. Every signature detail of the cube — the heart motifs, the paneled edges, the cubic silhouette — has been reproduced with care. When you place the finished product on your TV stand, it doesn't look like a console wearing a costume. It looks like an actual Companion Cube that happens to run your Steam library.
The attention to detail here reflects the kind of craftsmanship dbrand has built its reputation on. The company has consistently pushed the boundaries of what device customization can look like, and this project for the Steam Machine may be their most ambitious consumer product to date.
Pre-Order Pricing and Package Options
dbrand has structured the Companion Cube release around two distinct purchasing options, giving buyers flexibility based on how they want to approach the upgrade.
- Standard Companion Cube Enclosure: The enclosure on its own is available for $99.95. This option is for buyers who already have or plan to purchase a Steam Machine separately and simply want to transform its appearance with the Companion Cube shell.
- Deluxe Package: For those who want the complete experience right out of the box, dbrand is offering a deluxe bundle priced at $129.95. This package combines the Companion Cube enclosure with additional inclusions, making it a more comprehensive option for dedicated fans.
Both options are currently available for pre-order, meaning early buyers can secure their place in line before the product officially ships. Given the niche but passionate overlap between Portal fans and Steam Machine enthusiasts, stock is unlikely to last long once pre-orders ramp up.
Why This Upgrade Matters for the Steam Machine Community
The timing of dbrand's announcement is no accident. By launching pre-orders in sync with Valve's own sales timeline for the Steam Machine, dbrand is positioning the Companion Cube enclosure as a day-one consideration rather than an afterthought. For many buyers, the console's aesthetics are just as important as its functionality, especially when the device will be sitting prominently in a living room alongside other entertainment hardware.
The Portal franchise holds a special place in gaming culture. The Companion Cube, in particular, has transcended the game itself to become one of gaming's most recognizable symbols — featured on merchandise, fan art, and now, officially licensed-style hardware accessories. Having a Steam Machine styled as a Companion Cube creates a powerful visual statement about the kind of gamer you are, and the kind of games that matter to you.
Beyond the aesthetics, the quality of the materials dbrand has chosen — polyurethane and polycarbonate — suggests this isn't a novelty item that will crack or yellow over time. It's designed to last as long as the console itself.
Living Room Gaming Just Got a Lot More Interesting
The Steam Machine's arrival marks a genuine shift in how Valve is approaching the living room gaming space. For years, PC gamers have cobbled together workarounds — streaming boxes, HDMI cables, and dedicated Steam Link devices — to get their gaming off the desk and onto the big screen. A first-party console from Valve, combined with premium third-party accessories like dbrand's Companion Cube enclosure, suggests that this ecosystem is maturing rapidly.
If you're planning to pick up a Steam Machine and want to make it the most eye-catching device in your entertainment setup, the dbrand Companion Cube pre-order is live right now. At $99.95 for the enclosure alone or $129.95 for the deluxe package, it's a premium add-on — but for Portal fans, it may well be the upgrade that makes the Steam Machine feel truly complete.