Why can't I buy Steam machines/controllers anymore?

[Kromotone]

It seemed popular at the time wtf happened?

[Omega]

Steam controllers have been removed from the store after they sold the last stock for $5 each a few weeks ago during the winter sale. These things were sold out in an hour.

Steam machines were never really popular. Steam machines are just normal computers running Linux. Those old Steam machines are just 6 year old computers at this point. Valve stopped selling them 3 years ago. You can build a Steam machine yourself if you want.

[Kromotone]

My brother called me today from prison and was raving about the steam controller so I wanted to check it out again. Plus my dad really doesn't want to get back into pc building so I was hoping a steam machine would be a good way to play together. I know they're just computers but thought it would be a good segway into steam for him. Get him to invest in a steam account so he'll stay.

[Omega]

A Steam machine would be a pretty horrible experience now. These machines weren't that fast when they were new and aged very poorly.

Just go ahead and build one yourself, then drop Solus or Manjaro on it. If you really do not want to build one get one build by a laptop PC store, give them a part list and let them build it.

I don't understand what you mean with "play together". A Steam machine is just a PC, it plays the same games. If a game has local co-op you can also play it on a normal computer.

[-=SOF=-WID99]

if you mean the game pads

THEY ARE STILL AVAILABLE LOOK ON E BAY
https://www.ebay.com/p/172951652

or amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Steam-Controller-SteamOS/dp/B016KBVBCS?th=1

RIP Steam Controller 2015-2019: Valve is selling off its inventory

https://thenextweb.com/gaming/2019/11/27/steam-controller-valve-discontinued/