#PC vs #CONSOLE #Ultimate Test

Ever since the first gaming console came into existence, this debate has spurred the internet to argue which platform provides the ultimate gaming experience. You can visit any forum or news site, you are bound to witness the notorious PC vs Consoles argument, which has become kind of a cliché, much like the Apple vs Android debate. This article tries to settle if one of the platforms can be declared a winner or if both devices have their own pros and cons which cannot be provided by the counter-party.

So, before we begin, let’s clear a few things up beforehand:

• Even though the title reads as PC vs “Consoles” but most of the arguments will be supplemented by Sony’s PlayStaion and Microsoft’s Xbox. I apologize to the Wii users but Nintendo takes a back seat because, let’s be honest, I don’t feel it beats the PS or Xbox in anyway, other than casual gaming, and here we are more interested in the hardcore gaming.

• Both sets of fans, Sony and Microsoft’s, are facing a common enemy, the so-called “Master Race” aka PC, therefore, for the sake of this article (and as strange as this sounds) you console boys are “friends”. You guys have to unite against this mutual enemy if you want to come out as victors!

• By any means of imagination, I CAN NOT be considered a console or a PC “fanboy”. I owned the PS1, PS2, Xbox 360, PSP (the first one when it came out), PSP-GO and Nintendo DS (mistake?). I also had a well-equipped PC which gave the consoles a run for the money

Now that’s out of the way, let the battle begin!

Non-Gaming Uses:

First of all, let’s briefly consider which of these platforms provide more services for the end user. Consoles are primarily marketed as a gaming device while PCs are all-in-one device. There is no denying the fact that PCs provide more uses as compared to consoles.

Winner: PC

The latest iteration of consoles certainly makes a huge jump to bridge the gap between themselves and PCs by providing many services such as ability to make video calls, watching movies online etc. but even then, they cannot match benefits offered by a computer.

I just discussed this concisely so that everyone is aware that consoles cannot replace computers for general use but can they replace the PCs for gaming? Lets find out! 

Cost flexibility:

Looking at the current market, you can get hold of a brand new, basic console bundle for $400. Generally speaking, you don’t have much room to wiggle the price. The console can be a bit cheaper or expensive if you go for the system with less or more storage respectively. Other than that, you don’t have much options irrespective of the fact if you have $300 in your pocket or $800.

PCs on the other hand, are the very definition of flexibility. Spending money on computers is like a pit that is deep enough to swallow all the money you throw in it.

If money is not a problem, then it is even possible to buy only a graphics card whichcosts more than what people earn in a month!! Similarly, if you are on a tight budget, you can get cheaper components and it is possible you can end up with a decent gaming PC that costs less than consoles…… But then, you shouldn’t whine that your neighbour’s GTX Titan performs better than your budget PC.

Winner: PC

PCs are the clear winner here. Depending on your budget, you can get a gaming PC of any price and depending on how much you spend, the results would be that much better (more on this later). However, a real dilemma arises when you’re on a…..

Fixed budget:

As mentioned earlier, a no-frills console costs almost $400. Now the important question arises that if you have only $400, then what would be better? A console or a PC? Well, there is no black or white answer to this as this is subjective and depends on the person’s choice or preference but I feel that on a fixed budget there can only be one winner

Winner: Consoles

For me, a console would be my platform of choice if I was on a limited budget. The reasoning behind this is simple. I feel that for $400, consoles provide a better value for money than PC. Whether a $400 PC performs better than a console or not is still debatable with some games performing better on PC but due to some reasons (mentioned later), I would go for a console if I had $400 rather than building a computer from scratch.

Upgrades and Repairs:

As I’ve already said that if I had $400 to make a PC from scratch or buy a console, I’d go for the latter. However, what if I had the same amount but this time, the choice I had to make was get a console or “upgrade” my computer? In this case, I would be inclined to just upgrade my PC.

Similarly, if my console stops working for some reason, in 99% of the cases, the only thing I can do is get a new one (much like the infamous RROD which plagued the Xbox 360). On the other hand, I can just replace the malfunctioned component of a computer and there is a really good chance that it would be useable again

Winner: PC

The thing is that, unless you grandfather passed you his computer upon his death, you do not need to buy all the components again for an upgrade. You can just buy the relevant parts and upgrade your PC. Yes, technological advances are sometimes backwards incompatible but even then, not all parts need to be replaced.

So if I feel that my computer is slow, I can just plug in a SSD for faster performance. Similarly, if I need more graphics quality, I can just add a new graphics card with most of the other parts left untouched.

Ease of Use:

Let’s consider the process of playing a game on computer

•  You insert the disc/download the game
•  Install the game
•  Install the companion app which is required for some games (Such as Ubi-Launcher or EA’s Origin)
•  Enter the key to activate the game
•  Select recommended settings based on what your PC can handle
•  Play the game.

This list is not exhaustive as you would sometimes be required to update your graphics card drivers, DirectX or some other system application (for example Microsoft’s C++ Redistributable package etc.) to get the best performance.

Whereas, on a console all you have to do is

• You insert the disc/download the game
• Install some files (required by a couple of games)
• Play

Yup, that’s it. Moreover, the UI of consoles is also more focused on the gaming side and provides an easy access to our library.

This post was an opinion based one. So please feel free to add your thoughts through comments.

THANKS!