I totally agree. I want the touch pads so I can play old games that were designed for a keyboard and mouse or a shooter that works better with them. Younger gamers aren't going to want to tinker getting an old game to run and are likely to have been brought up on a controller and don't see it as a hinderance.
That's why I love the Steam Deck, it was built for all the nerds out there and it's fabulous.
There is but only on one side and, while I've not personally used it, the size and placement seem to make it more of a cursor aid than something that can be used well in games.