Are Video Game Consoles Computers?

[Bodhesatva]

ddobson said:
If we go for a classical definition, any device that is capable of executing a program qualifies as a computer. This generally implies the existence of some sort of registers for storing values, an instruction set for defining programs, and the basic infrastructure like the program counter, maybe a stack, generally I/O of some sort so you can see and influence what it's doing. But to the original poster's point, I think most people realize that games can be played on computers and game consoles are essentially stripped-down computers. It's more about the purpose and context of the application -- I don't want a computer humming away in my living room, and I don't want a game console taking up space on my desk. Blame it on marketing if you like, but the perception is that game consoles are toys for having fun and computers are tools for doing work. I think that perception maintains its consistency even if you're comparing a Commodore 64 to a Playstation 3. Which is why the computer is perceived as an investment that requires maintenance and might need repair or upgrade, and a console is regarded as cheaper and more plug-and-play.

 I absolutely agree with you, Ddobson. You succinctly said what I did. Seriously, it's very close to a synopsis.

 

Although I'm not sure I'd agree that most people know that a video game console is a stripped down, simplified version of a Personal Computer. A vague sense that it's a computer, perhaps, but not a concrete recognition that a video game system is just a few applications and hardware upgrade away from being a PC.