Tencent is launching a Windows 10-based game console in China

[Zkuq]

Puppyroach said:

Zkuq said:
So, how exactly is it a console if it has Windows 10? I get it that Microsoft has the capability to modify the operating system enough to make a console version of it, but third parties? Isn't this essentially just a PC with some custom software pre-installed?

Isn't that the definition of a console, a custom built PC with special software built in?

Sort of. Most consoles have a custom operating system but this seems to have regular Windows 10, which essentially makes it a PC aimed for the console market. It's sort of like Steam Machines, which have their own operating system designed for a more console-like experience. Of course you can install SteamOS on any computer, so it's not that different, but I'd still say this is closer to regular PCs than Steam Machines are.

I guess it's actually a pretty deep question. Would PS4 still be considered a console if it had regular Windows 10 with no limitations on what you can do with it? If yes, how do you even define a console?