Consoles more convenient that PCs?

Back in the day, consoles were all about being able to play quickly and easily and getting consistent performance. PC games would vary massively between rigs and could take ages to load (the 1990 - 2000 era).

I fired up GT5 the other day and the long loading times and inconsistent controls made me realise that consoles are no longer quicker or more convenient than PCs. GT5 is a particularly bad example because every time I go to play it there is a new update that takes 40 minutes to download -WTF? Coupled with steam and multitasking (I have total war in my task bar right now - alt-tab and you're back in) PC gaming is actually more convenient in many ways. This has to be why I spend more and more of my time on my PC than my PS3 which is starting to feel very clunky indeed.

I would also argue that PC performance is so good these days that just about any rig you buy coupled with a $150 graphics card can play most games on medium - high settings. A fact that is born out when I swap between the four PC's that I regularly use and can notice no large difference in power.These PC's span a technology generation but for most games they are all very capable (eg Q6600 4GB HD4750 vs I7950 8GB GTX 480).

Honestly I feel that the future is an onlive style TV system and a mouse and keyboard style PC system. People are always talking about the death of PC gaming. But in 5-10 years will consoles be dead? Actually I think so.

you bought the wrong console.

Yeah maybe! I don't really get the appeal of my PS3 despite having most of the better games for it... I can't get on with controllers I guess!

consoles, will be just as good as PCs in the near future

i guess u never used a pc then

Honestly I feel that the future is an onlive style TV system and a mouse and keyboard style PC system. People are always talking about the death of PC gaming. But in 5-10 years will consoles be dead? Actually I think so.

tcarruth

My guess is some kind of Wiimote+Nunchuck or Move or/and gyroscopic mouse+Keyboard, style interface on an Onlive style TV system.

consoles, will be just as good as PCs in the near future

gamer-adam1

How exactly would they manage this?

In some ways PC's are much more convinient than consoles, in others, consoles are still more convinient.

PC

• Option to buy retail or download EVERYTHING.
• Can store all games on cheap hard drives.
• Can jump from game to game or from game to task in seconds.
• Much shorter loading times

Example: I have two PC's. My home theater Pc is hooked up to my TV and sound system. My main Pc is my main gmaing rig (though I do game on my HTPC too). I also have a Wii and owned an xbox and PS3 for a little while.

If I wanted to play some peggle while I waited for my wife to get ready all I ever had to do was wiggle my mouse and click on peggle in my steam game library. Took 2-3 seconds. Likewise I can be playing SCII and get an in game PM from a friend asking me to play Left4Dead2. I can go from playing SCII to the Left4Dead lobby in seconds.

The same actions on the console take a LOT more time. Oh where is my Left4Dead DVD? Got to take out what's on the driver, put it in, wait for it to boot, etc, etc. There is also the issue of updates. Updates for modern OS PC's are now (for the most part) done silently in the background. ever since steam I've NEVER had to worry about a game update. MY PC downloads and installs them in the background, transparently. Even vidoe card drivers can be downloaded and installed with a single click on Steam. This is not the case on the consoles. Funnily enough this used to be the exact opposite just 6 years ago.

Another thing that's changes recently is the consistent performance of the consoles. Now a days console game performance is anything BUT consistent. Just take alook at most game reviews and the complaint of uneven frame rates. On the PC, most gaming rigs have so much power, that performance is less of a n issue now a days, though still present.

Consoles on the other hand are still more convinient in the sense that you don't need more than a few braincells to operate them. They're like VCR's. You just put in a game and play. There's no need to know the system requirements for a game. There's no need to know how much space you got left on your hard drive. For PC gamers like me these things are hardly of an issue. But not everyone feels that way.

Yeah, consoles always having consistent performance is a myth. I recently tried to play a few games on my brothers PS3, and the framerate often dipped below 30 in several games.

.

[QUOTE="gamer-adam1"]

consoles, will be just as good as PCs in the near future

glez13

How exactly would they manage this?

Back in the day, consoles were all about being able to play quickly and easily and getting consistent performance. PC games would vary massively between rigs and could take ages to load (the 1990 - 2000 era).

I fired up GT5 the other day and the long loading times and inconsistent controls made me realise that consoles are no longer quicker or more convenient than PCs. GT5 is a particularly bad example because every time I go to play it there is a new update that takes 40 minutes to download -WTF? Coupled with steam and multitasking (I have total war in my task bar right now - alt-tab and you're back in) PC gaming is actually more convenient in many ways. This has to be why I spend more and more of my time on my PC than my PS3 which is starting to feel very clunky indeed.

I would also argue that PC performance is so good these days that just about any rig you buy coupled with a $150 graphics card can play most games on medium - high settings. A fact that is born out when I swap between the four PC's that I regularly use and can notice no large difference in power.These PC's span a technology generation but for most games they are all very capable (eg Q6600 4GB HD4750 vs I7950 8GB GTX 480).

Honestly I feel that the future is an onlive style TV system and a mouse and keyboard ****PC system. People are always talking about the death of PC gaming. But in 5-10 years will consoles be dead? Actually I think so.tcarruth

that won't happen, because consoles are meant to give you some sort of freedom of movement. and how would you play a game with keyboard and mouse with other 2 guys? do people need to buy 5 meter long tables??

that won't happen, because consoles are meant to give you some sort of freedom of movement. and how would you play a game with keyboard and mouse with other 2 guys? do people need to buy 5 meter long tables??

aia89

The same way it works for console games: You plug in multiple controllers (gamepads, keyboard, mice, joysticks, etc). This is entirely possible to with the PC, and several game support this.

[QUOTE="tcarruth"]

Back in the day, consoles were all about being able to play quickly and easily and getting consistent performance. PC games would vary massively between rigs and could take ages to load (the 1990 - 2000 era).

I fired up GT5 the other day and the long loading times and inconsistent controls made me realise that consoles are no longer quicker or more convenient than PCs. GT5 is a particularly bad example because every time I go to play it there is a new update that takes 40 minutes to download -WTF? Coupled with steam and multitasking (I have total war in my task bar right now - alt-tab and you're back in) PC gaming is actually more convenient in many ways. This has to be why I spend more and more of my time on my PC than my PS3 which is starting to feel very clunky indeed.

I would also argue that PC performance is so good these days that just about any rig you buy coupled with a $150 graphics card can play most games on medium - high settings. A fact that is born out when I swap between the four PC's that I regularly use and can notice no large difference in power.These PC's span a technology generation but for most games they are all very capable (eg Q6600 4GB HD4750 vs I7950 8GB GTX 480).

Honestly I feel that the future is an onlive style TV system and a mouse and keyboard ****PC system. People are always talking about the death of PC gaming. But in 5-10 years will consoles be dead? Actually I think so.aia89

that won't happen, because consoles are meant to give you some sort of freedom of movement. and how would you play a game with keyboard and mouse with other 2 guys? do people need to buy 5 meter long tables??

As long as I don't have to upgrade the hardware in my consoles I will always consider them more convenient.

They will be until the Sandy Bridge comes out.

Hard for PCs to beat sitting on the couch with a 52" HDTV with 5.1 surround sound. KC_Hokie

[QUOTE="KC_Hokie"]Hard for PCs to beat sitting on the couch with a 52" HDTV with 5.1 surround sound. lowe0

the fact i have to buy a new version of an xbox 360 just so i can hook it into my monitor is pretty inconvenient.yellosnolvr

I've been a PC gamer since I was like 8 (I'm 30 now) but I've slowly turned into a console gamer. I got tired of constantly upgrading PCs. Once you buy a console you won't have to upgrade it again for 6+ years (when the next one comes out). Consoles are also optimized for gaming and patching/updates couldn't be easier (for the xbox 360). Hard for PCs to beat sitting on the couch with a 52" HDTV with 5.1 surround sound. KC_Hokie

I know. Its so insanely hard to put that HDMI cable from the Xbox to a PC. its just...i don't know how anyone can possibly manage the complexity to accomplish such a feat.

I so wish it wasnt so difficult to plug a PC into a big screen TV and use it as a gaming machine.

Oh, right you're retort will be "I cant plug my PC because its too incovenient for me to do so." Yup, i too like to fault the electronics i have for featrues they are entirely capable of that i simply refuse to take advantage of. Thats why i like claiming that my 360 looks like crap on a blurry 15 year old B&W SDTV. So what if i can plug it into my nice 42 inch LCD HDTV in my living room? its just, inconvenient, y'know? I think my 360 should look good on the TV im using.

I know. Its so insaley hard to put that HDMI cable from the Xbox to a PC. its just...i don't know how anyone can possibly manage the complexity to accomplish such a feat.

I so wish it wasnt so difficult to plug a PC into a big screen TV and use it as a gaming machine.

Oh, right you're retort will be "I cant plug my PC because its too incovenient for me to do so." Yup, i too like to fault the electronics i have for featrues they are entirely capable of that i simply refuse to take advantage of. Thats why i like claiming that my 360 looks like crap on a blurry 15 year old B&W SDTV. So what if i can plug it into my nice 42 inch LCD HDTV in my living room? its just, inconvenient, y'know? I think my 360 should look good on the TV im using.

XaosII

[QUOTE="KC_Hokie"]I've been a PC gamer since I was like 8 (I'm 30 now) but I've slowly turned into a console gamer. I got tired of constantly upgrading PCs. Once you buy a console you won't have to upgrade it again for 6+ years (when the next one comes out). Consoles are also optimized for gaming and patching/updates couldn't be easier (for the xbox 360). Hard for PCs to beat sitting on the couch with a 52" HDTV with 5.1 surround sound. XaosII

I know. Its so insanely hard to put that HDMI cable from the Xbox to a PC. its just...i don't know how anyone can possibly manage the complexity to accomplish such a feat.

I so wish it wasnt so difficult to plug a PC into a big screen TV and use it as a gaming machine.

Oh, right you're retort will be "I cant plug my PC because its too incovenient for me to do so." Yup, i too like to fault the electronics i have for featrues they are entirely capable of that i simply refuse to take advantage of. Thats why i like claiming that my 360 looks like crap on a blurry 15 year old B&W SDTV. So what if i can plug it into my nice 42 inch LCD HDTV in my living room? its just, inconvenient, y'know? I think my 360 should look good on the TV im using.

There's nothing convenient about hooking up a gaming PC to an HDTV and surround sound.

KC_Hokie

One cable is so hard to plug in? Maybe two?

you're refusing to take advantage of a capablity that a device offers. Thats not a fault of the device.

My original reply was going to be "Prepare to be flamed by someone for not pointing out that a PC can connect to a TV". I started over because I decided to give PC gamers the benefit of the doubt. I'll remember not to make that mistake in the future.lowe0

Dont. I dont give console gamers the benefit of the doubt that they wont come up with stupid excuses.

[QUOTE="KC_Hokie"]

There's nothing convenient about hooking up a gaming PC to an HDTV and surround sound.

XaosII

One cable is so hard to plug in? Maybe two?

you're refusing to take advantage of a capablity that a device offers. Thats not a fault of the device.

[QUOTE="lowe0"][QUOTE="KC_Hokie"]Hard for PCs to beat sitting on the couch with a 52" HDTV with 5.1 surround sound. KC_Hokie

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="KC_Hokie"]

There's nothing convenient about hooking up a gaming PC to an HDTV and surround sound.

KC_Hokie

One cable is so hard to plug in? Maybe two?

you're refusing to take advantage of a capablity that a device offers. Thats not a fault of the device.

You reduced your argument to just making up stuff now, didn't you?

[QUOTE="Lucianu"]

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

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MFDOOM1983

FUNNY STUFF

Eh.

Ontopic: Some have no idea how to plug in a cable. It amazes me you can find your ways trough your home town.

I am perfectly happy with my 360 slim 250GB and my 160gb ps3 slim combo. PC is nice but i just don't have the money to update a gaming PC every few months/ years with a new graphics card/ video card etc to play the newest games. I would rather have a console and be done with it. ShadowNinja87

Both PCs and consoles have advantages and disadvantages when it comes to convenience. They are two different entities, so you get the most convenience depending on what you want to do with it (plug-and-play for consoles, multitasking for PC, etc.).

Although I'm primarily a PC gamer, I do game on consoles a well. One thing I liked when going on the road (like last August) was being able to stuff the small Wii into the glove compartment or under a seat. Then, I hooked it up to the TV in whatever motel we were staying overnight in.

At home, convenience is not that big a deal. The PC cables are pre-placed. So when relatives stay over and hog my den, I have to move my PC to the family room. All I have to do is place the PC on the same spot and the cables are already in place. Just plug everything in. Windows 7 automatically adjusts the resolution to match the 720p TV. I've done the drill a few times already. Each time, everything went smoothly and by the numbers.

The last real convenience of consoles I've seen were back in the cartridge era with the N64. Even the Wii requires setting up the Wiimote(s) and from my own experiences, some Wiimotes were bound to be a little finicky at first before the Wii finally recognized them. I also needed to know and remember which controllers were required for Wii, GC, and VC games.

Then there's setting up the WiFi connection with my router. Without a keyboard, it's a pain in the butt. But, it's a necessary evil that needs to get done. It's no big deal to me. Just the same, dealing with the PC is no big deal to me either. Of course, it may vary for others.

[QUOTE="Kinthalis"][QUOTE="KC_Hokie"]I know it's technically possible but also a major pain in the ass. So for convenience it's not even close. KC_Hokie

[QUOTE="ShadowNinja87"]I am perfectly happy with my 360 slim 250GB and my 160gb ps3 slim combo. PC is nice but i just don't have the money to update a gaming PC every few months/ years with a new graphics card/ video card etc to play the newest games. I would rather have a console and be done with it. Kinthalis

[QUOTE="ShadowNinja87"]I am perfectly happy with my 360 slim 250GB and my 160gb ps3 slim combo. PC is nice but i just don't have the money to update a gaming PC every few months/ years with a new graphics card/ video card etc to play the newest games. I would rather have a console and be done with it. Kinthalis

So to you a device that can be easily custumizable to incorporate new and convinient technologies is... NOT convinient?

Really, buddy, you may need a logic upgrade.

Keep telling yourself that as you pay more and more for a gimped computer that comes with most of the problems of a PC and none of the benefits.

[QUOTE="Kinthalis"][QUOTE="ShadowNinja87"]I am perfectly happy with my 360 slim 250GB and my 160gb ps3 slim combo. PC is nice but i just don't have the money to update a gaming PC every few months/ years with a new graphics card/ video card etc to play the newest games. I would rather have a console and be done with it. ShadowNinja87

So to you a device that can be easily custumizable to incorporate new and convinient technologies is... NOT convinient?

Really, buddy, you may need a logic upgrade.

Kinthalis

[QUOTE="KC_Hokie"][QUOTE="Kinthalis"] What on earth is so complicated? you take your HDMI wire and plug it in. Mind Blown. Seriously, I have a Home Theater PC and it lives plugged in to the TV and the sound system. And unlike any console it can do ALL of the following: - Play games at full 1080p. - Play games at 60+ FPS. - Record live HD TV, Time Shift TV. - Holds a tons of games + my Blu-Ray library + my recorded TV - Stream Netflix, HULU, Youtube, Amazon on demand, etc, etc - Plays my blu-ray discs.Kinthalis

alot of older cards cant output HDMI..

and for me.... buying and running multiple 50ft cables across my living room to my entertainment center was quite a bit more difficult than plugging my console directly under my tv, into my tv.