Which is better, PC or Console?

Consoles offer many benefits over PC with the biggest being convenience. A console is easy to transport and can be played anywhere that has a TV and a place to sit. Consoles give you the freedom to play from the comfort of your couch without having to be at a desk. PCs offer controller play as well, but typically mouse and keyboard is your best option if you actually want to compete online. Consoles also have a more simple operating system/set up that allows you to select the game you want to play and go. PCs typically have a few more steps. Lastly, for the most part, console players' systems are all the operating level preventing any systematic advantages creating a fair/level playing field.

Along with the many console pros, they have their fair share of cons. For starters, consoles have a lot less to offer than PCs do simply because of a console‘s lack of power. Even top of the line consoles (Xbox One X, PS4 Pro) specs are just mediocre in the PC world. Because of this developers are forced to ”tone down” the games they develop so that they are playable on console. So the games being made don’t allow developers to display their full potential. For example, big open world games such as World of Warcraft aren’t playable on console and wont ever be playable on console unless the developer “dumbs down” the game so that consoles can process it. For those of you who don’t know, Xbox and PS charge developers a fee to create games for their consoles which dips heavily into these companies’ profits and deters smaller developers from producing games for console. AAA titles are fun, but the sheer variety of PC games that are developed by indie developers allow you to experience games other than those that are mainstream. This gives PC an edge because not only do you have the ability to play major titles, but you also have the ability to explore smaller games. Another con of console gaming is the investment. This may sound backwards but throughout the life of your PC you will get far more value than that of a console. You are forced to spend ~$500 every time a new console comes out along with repurchasing games, controllers, headset, etc. Where the initial investment of a PC is higher, but offers you to upgrade at your own will and will last your far longer than a console. Plus you get to keep your games.

In my opinion, PCs are at the center of the gaming universe. They offer the most diverse game selection, customizability, and are the industry standard for pro gamers. They allow gamers to decide where they would like to invest money in order to enhance their gaming experience whether it be upgrading graphics, responsiveness, speed, etc. Any gamer will agree with the fact that just about any PC offers a far smoother and more immersive gaming experience. This is due to the sheer power and ability behind a solid gaming PC. This power gives developers more freedom when creating games and the ability to do more in these games (games are typically WAYY cheaper!!). Mouse and keyboard also allow for snappier shots in competitive first-person shooters removing the limitations of the controller. Not to mention the amount of keys on the keyboard allows developers to incorporate many different control actions/commands into the game and allow the gamer to program the keys however they find most convenient. Frame rate and shorter input lag also play a huge part in pro gamers' choice of PC over console. PC's offer a vast range of frame rates that are typically far higher than that of a console making the picture look really smooth and less choppy. The standard 1ms input lag also creates a much smoother experience allowing gamers to unlock their true potential.

PCs are a large initial investment. This is most likely the biggest con of a PC. You will get more value out of your PC throughout its life (assuming to take care of it) than you would a console, but it requires more money upfront. PCs are also far less simple than consoles. Games require more steps to download, access, and maintain than that of consoles. You must find which game store has what you want (you will most likely use Steam) then go through the steps to download/update your game. PCs also require some technical knowledge as well. You are your own support team on PC, so its important that you understand how your system works.

Of course this is subjective to which best suits your needs however, I find PC far superior to console. The sheer value and utility you get from a good PC is unrivaled by consoles. You can use your gaming PC to crush your opponents and customize it to meet your needs. You can use it productively for work too. There’s so many possibilities and uses of a PC that just are not offered by a console (At least not yet). I like to use a car analogy when discussing this topic. Consoles are like driving a basic sedan. They get you where you need to go, and meet your basic needs. Where PCs are like a sports car, you can customize them anyway you want and they offer sheer power along with a more enjoyable experience.