This is news to me. What is an example of a portable gaming PC that has flopped? I'm honestly just not aware of any major company trying to make one.
As for Valve hardware, the only clear flop was Steam Machines -- which weren't Valve hardware at all.
I think it's odd to focus purely on the mass market success of Valve's actual hardware (Link, Controller, Index) since these can all be considered experiments by a company that can afford to fail, and since these have all been widely praised as the best-in-category. Clearly they know how to make great hardware; they just haven't done anything mass market yet. Who knows, maybe the disappointment with Nintendo will fuel sales for the Steam Deck.
As for Valve hardware, the only clear flop was Steam Machines -- which weren't Valve hardware at all.
I think it's odd to focus purely on the mass market success of Valve's actual hardware (Link, Controller, Index) since these can all be considered experiments by a company that can afford to fail, and since these have all been widely praised as the best-in-category. Clearly they know how to make great hardware; they just haven't done anything mass market yet. Who knows, maybe the disappointment with Nintendo will fuel sales for the Steam Deck.