This 100%. Personally I'm happy with the build quality on my Elite 2, but I hate that it requires Windows 10+ to update the firmware. And it really needs a trackpad.
I've definitely heard complaints about the Elite bumpers, so I'm not saying that isn't an issue. For whatever reason though mine has held up fine. I don't know if I got lucky or what. I'm pretty careful with it, but my 2 year old is not so it's had some falls from him grabbing it off my desk. I have had issues with the standard controller geting the bumpers jammed after a fall though for sure.
For me personally, it's just a nice to have for games that require it. I remember pulling out my steam controller a few times when Breath of the Wild needed motion controls.
I used to play a lot of Fallout 4 with gyro aiming on the Steam Controller, there was a lot of downtime between fights and gunplay didn't require perfect precision, which was great for learning how the controller felt. I'd find that I'd sit back with my hands on my lap, tilting the controller very slightly up and down for vertical aim and unconsciously using my foot to rotate the chair for horizontal. Once I got used to how it worked (including setting the gyro to only activate while the left trigger was held and fine-tuning the sensitivity) it became natural. My body just kind of figured it all out in the most comfortable way.
Nintendo's work is solid on the Switch. With all the gyro control, I got so used to it that whenever I'm using my Xbox controller on Steam I instinctively tilt the controller for control. Once you're used to stick for general direction and tilt for specifics it feels natural.
if it ends up being like the steam deck layout, they'll probably just fuse the touch screens into one larger one in the center of the controller, towards the bottom. At that point, it would probably just be pretty similar to the playstation controller, but with slightly more questionable ergonomics, or maybe a more usable touchscreen.
You're not seriously asking for that button arrangement right? The D-pad is so uncomfortable to use. I love my Steam Deck, but I accept the button arrangement as an acceptable cope.
I get the cheap GameSir controllers and they work fine. I've got probably 10 of them running around and I need to grab two more to replace my dying Stadia controllers. None have given me a moment of trouble.
That said, I'm not picking up two more if there's a new steam controller coming. I'll wait. I don't usually need more than 8 at once so I can put it on the back burner for now until I need to host a holiday.
3 mini PCs, 4 players each, round robin Mario Kart tournament.
I semi-regularly need between 6 and 8. When I throw a barbecue there's live music, a large selection of meats with plenty to snack on while everyone is waiting for the brisket and ribs to finish up, vegetarian options that are more than just sides or salads, vegan options if any of my vegan friends stop by, games like darts and cornhole, video games, drinks, and general fuckery.
I like to do it big and I've got the means and space to do that.