Many Windows Central readers aren't sold on Valve's Steam Deck

The results aren't overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

What you need to know

• We ran a poll asking if readers will pre-order Valve's Steam Deck.
• As of this post, nearly 45% of respondents voted that they're not pre-ordering it.
• Over 25% voted to say they're waiting for more info on the product before deciding.

On Saturday, we ran our weekly poll to check in with the mood of Windows Central readers on the latest news. This time around, the hot topic was Valve's Steam Deck, otherwise known as the handheld system that's soon to bring major AAA Windows-powered games to the world of portable devices. DOOM Eternal, Ghostrunner, and more can be yours wherever you are thanks to the Steam Deck — but many Windows Central readers aren't interested enough in the device to pre-order it.

As of the morning of July 19, 2021, the poll results show 44.69% of readers voted that they won't be pre-ordering the Steam Deck, 29.89% either already have pre-ordered it or plan to pre-order it, and 25.42% want more information on the gadget and aren't ready to make a decision yet. These percentages were derived from 358 total votes. For comparison, our poll discussing the mere look of Windows 11 garnered nearly 7,000 votes.

The comments on the poll highlight why many people aren't interested in the device. "It's too expensive and heavy," reader Scovious2 said, bringing attention to the fact that not everyone is keen on lugging a screen-endowed brick around as a portable gaming device. Others commented that AAA gaming doesn't naturally lend itself to such a small display.

The natural response to that argument is that the Nintendo Switch has proven successful, despite displaying AAA games on small screens. In our other coverage of the Steam Deck, which has garnered even more passionate, lengthy responses from readers, one particular reader clapped back at that idea with the claim that "Nintendo games are one step above mobile quality and designed for that screen size from the get-go," positing that Switch games are built for the handheld experience from the outset, rather than forced onto it, hence why they do so well critically and commercially.

That same post saw gigantic back-and-forths outlining where the Deck would slot into the market, why it's not fit to be compared to the Switch, and loads more in-depth discussions. Give Windows Central readers' comments a look, and keep giving us your thoughts on the Steam Deck.