Interesting move from Valve.
I see a big issue in terms of market.
Two categories here: broke people, and not broke people. There is pretty much nothing else.
Broke people already have their portable game device and probably will not buy a new one at that price.
Not broke people probably own most of all the current portable game device options. They can afford to try a $400 portable console that allows them to play the games they’ve been already playing on big monitors or powerful laptops but the truth is, it’s not necessary for them. They might become Steam Deck ambassadors.
Steam Deck is a luxury gaming accessory. In this economy, in this uncertainty, in this panny? Bold move.
Then there’s of course the issues with software compatibility, fixing a machine that has built-in controllers and storage upgrades.
Good luck.