If it weren't for Wii, I wouldn't own a console this gen.

[mowe]

Senlis said:

I just have to jump in here

1) Most people who are interested in buying a computer for gaming probably already has a monitor.  Most people who are interested in buying a console already have a TV.  Therefore, when comparing prices of the two different choices, TV's and monitors should not be considered.  There is also the issue of visual quality, but the argument applies for both monitors and TV's.  Most people also have speakers, keyboards and mice for computer.  I have about 5 sets.

Speaking of high definition, technically CRT monitors are high definition and have an excellent picture quality when compared to standard definition TV's.  Even compared to LCD, CRT's have a pretty good picture.  Definately since you can get a decent sized used CRT monitor at the computer repair shop I work at for about 35$.

2) yes, the main reason peaple's computers slow down is because of malware (viruses/spyware).  To think this only matters if you are playing games is a little naive.  Malware is easy to avoid if you know what you are doing: use firefox instead of internet explorer, use eset and bitdefender's online scanners to scan your computer periodically, and use a virtual system like returnil (after activating, any changes to your computer before restarting is not permanent).  As for hard drive space, you can get a 160GB Sata HDD pretty cheap and it will store 30+ games depending on thier installation size.

3) I won't even start on #3

basically, what it amounts to is your knowledge of computers.  If you are computer ignorant, it is going to be too expensive and time consuming to play current generation PC games on your PC.  If you are even moderately computer savvy, the computer is cheaper to upgrade and maintain than buying console.   Another benefit to PC's not mentioned by other posters on this thread is backwards compatability.  I could go and find DOOM (the first) and play it on my PC with only a little fanagling.

If you do not know enough about computers to practically play games on it, you should.  The average person is pathetically inept about how computers work even though it plays a large role in most of our lives.  I don't expect people to be experts on computers, but I expect people to know how to do basic maintenance on them.

I guess I am another one of those people who only own a PC and a Wii.  The reason why, I like Nintendo.  Just like how some people like Ford over Chevy and vise/versa.  A lot of XBOX360/PS3 games end up on the computer eventually, and most video game news sites expect the consoles to be specialized PC's in a couple more generations.  Another reason to learn how to work on PC's

 

edit: about 3, i really didn't read it before.   You already have most of what you need for a gaming PC: case, power supply, monitor, keyboard, mouse, sepakers, operating system (probably XP).  Just buy a new Mobo, processor, RAM and Video card.  Sounds like a lot, but probably bought with <300$ if you spend right and then you will have a good gaming computer.  The new Mobo will give you upgrade possibilites for the future.  Example: you could buy a really good processor and sell your old one to someone for 75% value.  Very cheap upgrade, and if you don't know how to do it....well

 

You know, all that sounds wonderful, but the fact remains; buying a console is about 48 times more covenient than doing all that stuff you just mentioned.

Console gaming:

-Buy a console

-To upgrade, buy another console every 5-6 years

PC gaming, according to you:

-buy a new Mobo, processor, RAM and Video card.

-use firefox instead of internet explorer, use eset and bitdefender's online scanners to scan your computer periodically, and use a virtual system like returnil <--- all this to avoid malware that will slow down your PC, something that is nonexistent on consoles

-get a 160GB Sata HDD

-To upgrade: buy a really good processor and sell your old one to someone for 75% value, I'm assuming this is what you do for other parts as well, in addition to actually installing these parts

 

If you don't at least see WHY people prefer console gaming, then you're just being a blind fanboy. Console gaming is SO much more convenient than PC gaming, and it's cheaper too. That's all I'm trying to say; believe me when I say that I don't hate PC gamers. I just hate when people take one-sided opinions (maybe that's what I'm doing right now, if so, by all means go ahead and prove everything I just said wrong).