Valve have confirmed the Steam Machine's price will be comparable to a custom-built PC with similar performance, rather than subsidised like a console.
Nintendo had a similar implementation and I don’t recall mass scalping of those devices either. Obviously anyone could purchase a single one and scalp it but that doesn’t create a mass shortage.
They had the exact limits you described back when the Deck was released and that didn’t stop scalpers.
However, the Deck was a much more hyped product, so there was more incentive for scalpers to jump through the hoops.
I don’t remember hearing anything about Deck scalpers
Me neither. I’m sure it happened, but it didn’t seem to be a major issue
Nintendo had a similar implementation and I don’t recall mass scalping of those devices either. Obviously anyone could purchase a single one and scalp it but that doesn’t create a mass shortage.