Know what I realised? 360 is a downgraded computer.

But so what?

I've been looking at laptops for the past few weeks because my computer I'm typing this on is complete cra and I want some games to compliment my Wii. But the cheapest laptop I could find to run games was 550 pounds, or an actual PC was about 500 (the PC obviously had better specs, about enough to run Crysis on high) Now I was fine with that. Until I played Dark Sector at a friends house, yeah I know weird choice of a game to want a console for but I really liked the game and found it it wasnt on PC, I could live with that sure. But then I realised, hang on, all the games I want to buy for the PC, FEAR, Bioshock, Gears, Orange Box, CoD (yeah when I said compliment the Wii I meant something to play shooters on =p), all these games are on the 360 too. Crysis and Stalker are the only ones I'd miss out on. So I weighed it up, Dead Rising, Ninja Gaiden 2, Dark Sector, the Darkness, Vs Crysis and Stalker. Know some of you might know this, but Dead Rising is oneof the only games I envied that the 360 had. But when you look at the broader spectrum, there are quite a few I'd like to get.

Then I compared price, if I manage to get a 360 from Sainsburys (140 pounds for a 60gb one until next Sunday) then get XBL and a wireless adaptor, thats 230 pounds. 550-230 gives me 320 pounds left. I can buy a freaking HDTV with that much! And I probably will, and still have money left over for games.

So there is a point to this post. You know when Hermits call consoles downgraded PC's? That's a good thing. I'll happily pay that much less, to experience the same games just with worse graphics, I've had a Wii for crying out loud, I'm fine with"bad" graphics. As for the other features, I've got a PC don't forget, sure it cant play games, but i dont need it too anymore, and anyway, I could get a PC that'd do everything I need (Word/internet) with the sapre 320 pounds difference I'd have for not getting a PC.

Simple calculations really, and I know I can get a better PC for that price if I build it myself and buy all the parts from the internet but frankly, I cant be arsed. Just thougt I'd post my own experience, on this matter and see what squabbles break out.

Also mods if I need to blog this then I shall. Know's as good a time as any to start a blog = )

You are quite right, if you just want it for shooters and don't mind the lack of KB/M, servers and high res graphics, the 360 is a good choice for that price.

Personally I don't really care for shooters, GeoW was a huge dissapointment, only ones I've liked this gen are Stalker and TOB. Strategy and wRPGs are where it's at for me, and for that PC is still the clear #1 choice.

I'm gonna have to agree with the original post. The only missing convention from PC gaming that I really hope will be in the next X-Box iteration is the bigger player caps. Well, that and I would love if a Battlefield game was done RIGHT on consoles. Battlefield 3 on live would be awesome.

I could care less about super high-res eye candy, the consoles of today definitely met my expectations for graphics. I'd also take a controller over a keyboard and mouse any day of the week. 360 is a poor man's gaming PC.

Technically every console is a poor mans gaming PC. They all consist of hardware from PC's (some more than others) or at least have hardware made from the company that makes PC hardware.

Oh, and gaming PC's (especially if you build it yourself) cost very cheap. Console fanboys like to inflate prices but they simply lie. Newegg.com, build your own PC that has at least 2x that power that any console has for less than $1000 (in the $700's usually). The $1000 PC being very high end. Then you get all the PC's great exclusives (of which it has the most exclusives) and all the great multiplats. And, frankly, you get what you pay for. You can do more than just play games on a PC for near the price of the PS3 when it first launched.

:)

:lol: at your Laptop reference. You do realize that Laptops cost more than Desktops, right? You also get more bang for you buck with Desktops due to more room for RAM, GPU, CPU, you get the point. TC, your argument sucks. Epic Fail.

Technically every console is a poor mans gaming PC. They all consist of hardware from PC's (some more than others) or at least have hardware made from the company that makes PC hardware.

Oh, and gaming PC's (especially if you build it yourself) cost very cheap. Console fanboys like to inflate prices but they simply lie. Newegg.com, build your own PC that has at least 2x that power that any console has for less than $1000 (in the $700's usually). The $1000 PC being very high end. Then you get all the PC's great exclusives (of which it has the most exclusives) and all the great multiplats. And, frankly, you get what you pay for. You can do more than just play games on a PC for near the price of the PS3 when it first launched.

:)

:lol: at your Laptop reference. You do realize that Laptops cost more than Desktops, right? You also get more bang for you buck with Desktops due to more room for RAM, GPU, CPU, you get the point. TC, your argument sucks. Epic Fail.

Puckhog04

Man I am getting REALLY sick and tired of you PC tech nerds telling everyone else to build your own PC for dirt cheap. You do realise 700 dollars is a DRASTICALLY more expensive price tag than consoles, right? You understand the negligible differences between consoles and a 'decent' gaming PC come off to a lot of people as superficial, right? Buying and maintaining a gaming PC requires a MUCh greater investment than buying a console. The loads of cash you have to put into it seriously isn't worth it in my opinion, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Not to mention the fact that actaully BUILDING your own PC is beyond the feasability of most of the users here and most of the PC community in general.

He didn't relly say that a console->pc, he just stated that in his case this is the best solution in price vs games he wants to play.

That's a major factor.

Btw - saying that a console has "worse" graphics sounds so harsh. (:

[QUOTE="Puckhog04"]

Technically every console is a poor mans gaming PC. They all consist of hardware from PC's (some more than others) or at least have hardware made from the company that makes PC hardware.

Oh, and gaming PC's (especially if you build it yourself) cost very cheap. Console fanboys like to inflate prices but they simply lie. Newegg.com, build your own PC that has at least 2x that power that any console has for less than $1000 (in the $700's usually). The $1000 PC being very high end. Then you get all the PC's great exclusives (of which it has the most exclusives) and all the great multiplats. And, frankly, you get what you pay for. You can do more than just play games on a PC for near the price of the PS3 when it first launched.

:)

:lol: at your Laptop reference. You do realize that Laptops cost more than Desktops, right? You also get more bang for you buck with Desktops due to more room for RAM, GPU, CPU, you get the point. TC, your argument sucks. Epic Fail.

creeping-deth87

Man I am getting REALLY sick and tired of you PC tech nerds telling everyone else to build your own PC for dirt cheap. You do realise 700 dollars is a DRASTICALLY more expensive price tag than consoles, right? You understand the negligible differences between consoles and a 'decent' gaming PC come off to a lot of people as superficial, right? Buying and maintaining a gaming PC requires a MUCh greater investment than buying a console. The loads of cash you have to put into it seriously isn't worth it in my opinion, and I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Not to mention the fact that actaully BUILDING your own PC is beyond the feasability of most of the users here and most of the PC community in general.

You do know that the PC is not just for gaming right????

For me i use it for work, emails, internet, media center, and Gaming

and you don't have to build your own, go into a small independant computer shop and ask them to build it for you. Thats what my friend is doing.

how the hell did you not realize this?

the PS3 and 360 are gimped computers... one happens to be good for setting up research arrays due to it's sony subsidized cpu.

the XBOX though, from the start, was a project by MS to try to de-stigmatize the PC gaming experience and make it more streamlined and accessible, while having more control over piracy (they thought, but in reality yes it is better than PC) with a forced proprietary online service that the main product (online playing and interaction) hinged on.

it's actually pretty transparent if you take the time to sit and think about it. or just take the time to read about the specifications and architecture of both machines.

either way, this is no excuse to try to write it off and just buy a PC. it's a totally different gaming experience, without the simplicity of consoles. i still love my PC gaming, but i'm not blinded enough to say console gaming doesn't have some pretty tantalizing advantages in terms of ease-of-use and comfort while using. hardcore will argue it all comes down to how you set yourself up - but by doing so they entirely miss the point ;).

In Your comparison You left out controls. Maybe You aren't bothered by dual analogue but i wouldn't even want to think of playing the games You mentioned with the DA.KungfuKitten

Guess it depends on what you grew up with, I've played with dual analogue and normal controllers since I was like 5, I've played FPS with dual anologue since I was 10, (Medal of Honor was my first) so I'm completely used to it and it doesn't bother me much.I did leave out friends though, that's quite a major thing for me too, like 6 or 7 people I know really well have XBL, I don't know anyone who plays their PC regularly. But really it depends on those variables, others might have used PC controls since youth, or have loads of friends who play PC's regularly. I guess thats how you choose between every gaming format, you make some sacrifices depending on what you value most.

[QUOTE="KungfuKitten"]In Your comparison You left out controls. Maybe You aren't bothered by dual analogue but i wouldn't even want to think of playing the games You mentioned with the DA.bobbetybob

Guess it depends on what you grew up with, I've played with dual analogue and normal controllers since I was like 5, I've played FPS with dual anologue since I was 10, (Medal of Honor was my first) so I'm completely used to it and it doesn't bother me much.I did leave out friends though, that's quite a major thing for me too, like 6 or 7 people I know really well have XBL, I don't know anyone who plays their PC regularly. But really it depends on those variables, others might have used PC controls since youth, or have loads of friends who play PC's regularly. I guess thats how you choose between every gaming format, you make some sacrifices depending on what you value most.