Reservations for Steam Frame close today at 10:00 AM Pacific. That is 1:00 PM Eastern. After that, Valve randomizes the list and you are either in the first wave or you are waiting.
This is not a first-come checkout. Signing up at 9:59 AM Pacific is the same as signing up three days ago. Late signups after the cutoff go to the back of the waitlist. Purchase emails start tomorrow. You get a short window to actually pay.
Prices are $1,059 for 256GB and $1,299 for 1TB. Controllers and the wireless adapter are in the box. A power brick is not. Half-Life: Alyx is included. If you already own Alyx, you do not get a second copy to gift. That part is annoying and very Valve.
Why this matters for PCVR, and not just “new headset discourse”: Frame is at its best as a wireless PC streaming headset. The reviews that dropped this week keep saying the same thing. Comfort is excellent. The dedicated adapter streaming is the feature people are keeping it on their face for. Standalone SteamOS play exists, and that is interesting, but if you already have a gaming PC and a SteamVR library, you are not buying this to play mobile ports. You are buying it to cut the cable without giving up the PC library.
Is it worth a grand-plus when a Quest 3 still does Virtual Desktop and Steam Link for less? For me, yes. But that is the argument in every comment section right now. Fair argument. Frame is not a budget play. It is Valve betting that a comfortable wireless PCVR box with SteamOS and an expansion port is enough to make people care again.
If you want one in the first batch, the only thing you have to do today is put your name on the list. After 10 AM Pacific, the decision is out of your hands.
