Steam Deck Trackpads: Essential or Optional Feature

Steam Deck trackpads remain a highly debated feature as discussions continue about their influence on handheld gaming functionality

Hardware by Katmin on Dec 07, 2025

People have asked numerous deep philosophical issues throughout history. What is our purpose? Who created us? And in the world of gaming, do the trackpads on Steam Deck really make a difference? For years, scholars, philosophers, and gamers have been interested in these problems.

Recently, Steam Deck's trackpads have sparked debates across online forums and communities, with some users insisting that a handheld running SteamOS without them cannot truly be a Steam Deck.

Steam Deck, Trackpads, Essential, Optional Feature, NoobFeed

Personal Experience with Trackpads

We have to admit, we have never used the trackpads—not in any game and not even in desktop mode. When we mentioned that Legion Go OS SteamOS model was basically a Steam Deck 2, we were heavily criticized. This puzzled me because Valve officially worked with Lenovo to release their software on it, and the functionality seemed comparable. It made me question whether Steam Deck trackpads are as essential as many claim.

Steam Deck layout is ergonomically impressive. The buttons and thumbsticks are perfectly positioned, making it comfortable to play games like Sonic Adventure for hours. The design of Steam Deck is instantly recognizable. But when it comes to the large trackpads, we never felt compelled to use them. In fact, accidental touches often bring up the mouse cursor, interrupting gameplay and becoming frustrating.

Trackpads in Gaming

A lot of people love the trackpads and use them for strategy games like Civilization, RPGs like Diablo III, first-person shooters like Doom and Half-Life 2, and even puzzle games. You may map trackpads to different functions to improve the game.

For first-person shooters, they let you quickly switch between menus and manage your items more quickly. In strategy games, the trackpads serve as a mouse, providing a classic PC gaming feel. They can even support Wii and Wii U games, though we have no plans to attempt that.

Steam Deck, Trackpads, Essential, Optional Feature, NoobFeed

Trackpads in Desktop Mode

The trackpads shine in desktop mode as well. When moving files or managing ROMs, touchscreen navigation can be cumbersome, and trackpads offer a smoother experience.

We decided to try them, and while initially difficult to use, they eventually made navigating desktop tasks easier. However, We still prefer using a traditional mouse for precision work.

Are Trackpads Essential?

While trackpads improve certain aspects of gaming and desktop interaction, we don't believe they are essential for a device to be considered a Steam Deck. The operating system is far more important than the hardware alone. Valve's SteamOS is what makes Steam Deck special, and brand loyalty often emphasizes the device itself rather than the software running it.

Third-party handhelds running SteamOS, such as Lenovo models, offer better hardware and performance while maintaining the core SteamOS experience. The functionality stays mostly the same, even on devices without trackpads.

Valve is also working to get SteamOS to run on ARM devices so its new VR headset can run on Snapdragon-powered devices. It might be a stretch to call these phones a "Steam Deck," but it shows how SteamOS is becoming more flexible beyond Valve hardware.

Steam Deck, Trackpads, Essential, Optional Feature, NoobFeed

Final Thoughts

Steam Deck is still a classic handheld gaming device. It has a high standard in the market thanks to its design, button layout, and operating system. Trackpads are useful for some gaming situations and desktop tasks, but they are not what sets the Steam Deck apart. Mapping menus and navigation to the trackpads can make the game more fun, but a lot of people, like me, can play just as well without them.

Best thing about Steam Deck is its software and overall experience. Trackpads are helpful, but they don't define the device. Whether you choose to use them or not, the operating system, ergonomics, and design are what truly make the Steam Deck stand out among gaming handhelds.

Also, check our other Handheld articles :