Given the somewhat off-topic discussion that's started up in the Techspot givaway thread on the subject of consoles, I thought I'd post a thread with a poll in the right forum.

The basic argument that's appeared is that as consoles get ever closer to PC's, people will soon realise that PC's are better because they do the same games only better, amongst any other task you could ask of a PC.

I would like to present the counterpoint that a consol is designed specifically for gaming, and so given a console and a PC of a similar performance/spec at some point in the future, the console will perform better for gaming. Also, because a console si dedicated to games in particular, the whole experience of playing said games is far simpler and more enjoyable as a result, taking note also that you only need one console for two people to play in many cases, and each having their own controller it's far easier than swapping seats between turns or having two pairs of hands on the same keyboard.

Note: I didn't put this in the gaming forum because it's hardware related in both PC and console terms, and involves both the overall PC experience and along with the overall console experience - in essence a question that covers all factors, and so I considered the subject a general discussion. Just in case anyone want's to know.

You forgot to mention that an Xbox 360 equivalent PC would cost 8 times as much. Consoles are designed to play games and only games, better, and much cheaper. Hopefully, pc's and consoles will become the same thing, but that is probably 10 years away.

well concles are made for gamers that want a system that doesnt need and tweeking or conging in order to get games to run, most gamers like these conculs because they are eassy to work
, u pop the game in it loads, the downside to ths is its harder to play fps, online gameplay isnt so great and u need to pay more,
on top of your isp, overall i choose the pc as its more moddable and upgradeable, xbox 360 and ps3 might be on top for 3-6 months but when new graphs chips come out people can just upgrade their computers and
consols are stuck with what theve got,
also ive heard menchonded some where elase, it is kind of hard to patch games on the xbox or ps2,3, and one last thing, iyou CANT get expantinos for games rather you have to buy the whole game with the expantion for another 50 bucks

overall i feel pcs give you more bang for your buck

cheers

I don't think so. console will always have a place in the gaming industry. To be honest, games are just a bit more fun and relaxed in console as you can sit on the comfy of your sofa. I think console is generally better gaming platform for the kids while pc is more for older people.

I think the opposite is true..as consoles become closer to PC's average people will go for the console...what does that average person use there pc for?? downloading music..surfing the web..etc..basic functions the next generation of consoles will offer..plus there easier to move around ..better for multiplayer..fits under your TV...we all know here the benefits of owning a PC but for your average consumer I think the console has a very bright future...the games industry is massive now..grossed more last year than the movie industry

No. I pretty much agree with toffe; as 'consumer' functions of the PC are slowly integrated into consoles (and other electronic devices like cell phones), i believe
PC will become a developer or specialist machine much like the apple mac. There's no need to panic for PC gamers imho as consoles will probably become a lot more flexible entertainment systems; still, on the other hand, this could possibly mean the death (or extreme marginalization) of some PC gaming genres.

id say no. maybe one day consoles will have the option of buying a keyboard and a mouse to go with it and thatll be close. but if companys that make console games also make that exact same game for PC's then pcs wouild be on top forever. unless the make a matrix console. lol

Here's a better question: As consoles continue to grow in popularity, and Linux becomes more and more friendly, will consoles take on the role of gaming and people use Linux when they no longer need windows to play game?

Well, I've heard rumors of people installing Linux on thier Xbox consoles, and using them to improve game preformance. I've never seen this mind you, only rumors.

As for the poll question, hells yeah! Consoles are getting very similar to PCs now (look at the Xbox 360) but unless they make consoles upgradeable, the PC will beat it out in the near future. Most console games get ported to PC and made better anyways. With PCs you can upgrade the games too, with patches and all.


....MONKEY!!

The consoles will NEVER pull out in front of pcs, there's no way they could, the pcs have to be better to build the games in the first place, and they just won't.

consoles and pcs r like apple and oranges. u gotta take away away the others functions of a pc and look at em both as a gaming machine. really a pc primary function to most consumers would be music, other media, web, work. consoles already starting doin media stuff and i think this generation of consoles is the real beggining. the other functionalty of a comp WORK etc. has nothing to do with gaming or fun.
2. GAMING on the machines. CONSOLE CPUS are faster & better for gaming right??? GRAPHICS better on comps and if they get outdated u just upgrade right. so once consoles come out were u can up grade them youself they will be the best in graphics. THE GAMES the hole reason for the hardware is honestly better for the consoles. more games alot more games better games. tobad consoles dont have mouses.

my opion on the future of both pcs and conoles r that theyll tkae the gaming outta pcs . and have workstations (pc) and gamingstations (consoles).

I think people should read the original post before replying..will consoles die out as they get better?? we are about to witness one of the biggest marketing battles ever when the ps3 comes out..consoles will not die out they are selling in huge numbers

No they won't die out, perhaps the way they are today they will, the PS3 Xbox2 might be the end of that type of console. Nintendo, though, is going to again Revolutionize the industry.

With technology taking up more and more of our time, consumers will ultimately opt for convenience, and that means a "one device fits all" solution. I think video game consoles and computers will eventually merge, along with phones and iPod-like things, into a single portable device. This device will probably have some catchy name like the "connect-o-tron" or whatever. Ok, maybe catchier than that.

I have to agree. Everyone is so quick to say the console war is between the PS3 and XBOX360 that they count out nintendo who has added alot more interactivity in their games.

Ya consoles are always easier for the kids and people who donut want to mess with the technical parts of computers. I donut think they will ever die completely.

Consoles are good for drinking and playing with a couple friends, but serious gamers will always opt for PC. The games are just deeper and graphically superior. I think the PC is here to stay in a gaming format. Consoles will always be popular amongst the younger set.

With the new wireless tech used by the Wii proves that consoles will never die out. The Wii is definetly not graphically superior and it does not have the processor capacity like other systems or PCs, but the style of gameplay makes it awesome. If anything, pretty soon PC's will probably be just used to make the games and consoles will be used to play it because of the cost of buying a computer that is able to play those games will be much higher then the cost of buying a console.

it depends on the type of game though...


I for one hate playing girst person shooters on consoles...


yet I hate playing driving games on PC...




but then again... you can constantly upgrade a PC, whereas you have to wait til the next generation to get better games on a console...



so im torn.
But I think PC will always be superior to consoles graphics and story wise (prey, doom, fear)... yet the console will be superior to the PC for gameplay and the fun factor (guitar hero, nfs)