When it comes to gaming, you are no longer limited to consoles. Your personal computer can do the job and there are several handheld consoles like the PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS XL. And if you want a 2-in-1 gaming device that acts as a regular console and a handheld, the newly released Nintendo Switch is what you’re looking for.
Over the years, the Windows platform and really powerful machines from manufacturers have made PCs a great alternative to consoles. You no longer need a console to play the latest titles, your desktop or laptop can also double as your gaming machine.
Now here is the question: Should you buy a console or a gaming PC?
Why you might consider a gaming PC
In the context of this article, a gaming PC refers to a real gaming PC, not your regular laptop.
Mods and patches: This is one of the biggest reasons to consider a gaming PC. It’s a lot easier to customize and modify your game (or gameplay) with mods and patches. This can’t be said for consoles.
Cracks: This may sound crazy, but a great number of PC gamers download cracked games illegally from several sites online. That expensive PS4 game could be waiting to be downloaded through torrent. Although piracy hurts developers, getting paid games for free is still one of the biggest reasons some people have to stick with PC gaming.
Scalability: With a gaming PC, how much you’re willing to spend determines how powerful your rig is. So far you’re not using a laptop, you can increase your RAM or change your video card if there’s a need to. With consoles, this is impossible.
Backward compatibility: Most, if not all, of the oldest game titles released for PC years ago still run fine on Windows 10. Take PS4 for instance, your PS3 discs are useless on it.
Why you should get a console
As a former PC gamer turned PS4 gamer, this article will probably try to tell you consoles are better than gaming PCs. Here are the reasons:
It’s cheaper: With just about $250, you can get a brand new PS4 console. With this, you can run all the latest game titles. This can’t be said for a $250 gaming PC. Even if you get one, you’re going to struggle with playing some titles even at low graphic settings.
It just works: Well, a gaming console just works. There’s no need to worry about installing display drivers, setting frame rate, messing around with graphic settings or shopping for a more powerful video card.
Console-exclusive big budget games: While it’s hard to say which one has the biggest selection of exclusive games, it pretty obvious that consoles have more exclusive big budget titles.
Separating work from play: If I had a gaming PC, it would also likely be my workstation. Whether I’m working or playing games, I would still be stuck at my desk. A console lets you separate work from play and it does feel good holding the controller, relaxing in the living room while shooting cops.
So which is better?
Consoles owners often claim that their XBOX One or PS4 is the best and PC gamers will argue that a gaming PC has more benefits. As someone who has been on both sides, I tend to appreciate the simplicity of console gaming. Whatever you choose is a matter of personal preference, but the pros of consoles seems to outweigh the advantages of a gaming computer.