EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of SBE, Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 33-42629) of our report dated November 23, 1999 on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of the Company as of October 31, 1999 and 1998 and for the years ended October 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, which report is included in this 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP San Francisco, California January 27, 2000 44