Truth matters a lot when it comes to "Hardcore enthusiasts".

If somebody believes the above... then they clearly aren't hardcore enthusists... and are in fact willing to give up graphics and other such things.

They are giving up superior graphics due to a willingess to be ignorant.

Enthusiasts are people who know about the product they enjoy.

so a hardcore gamer only cares about graphics?

"and other such things"

Hardcore gamers care about being informed... what you care about varies quite a bit... but if your giving up on what you value because you haven't bothered to be informed... you are no enthusist and you aren't hardcore.

It's the difference between someone who leanrs about the different pros and cons of various tvs... and the person who goes into the store and buys the most expensive sony TV he sees. 

One person wants the best... the other wants to get something they think they will like without much hassel.

You could have Hardcore tv people who are real enthusiasts being forced to choose between a couple different kinds of mid range  Visios cause they can't afford the high end stuff... such people are still far more hardcore then just someone who buys an expensive tv.

Hardcore is about attitude.

but even for the person whos informed it all comes down to your preferences for games some of which are unavailable on pc then there are other downsides like lengthy installs and keys and stuff which some people may not want to deal with

I'd suggest going back and reading what my comment was in regards to.

You've basically betrayed your entire arguement in an attempt to score a "point".

"you're making the assuption that "hardcore gamers" would give up the graphics, a control scheme more suited to some types of games, superior online support etc... in my opnion your assuption is wrong "

People who play 360 and PS3 do in fact give up these things.

no i see your point for graphics ( which are still very good on consoles ) but otherwise "a control scheme more suited to some types of games, superior online support etc" i see no other loss

edit: and with the move from console to pc i see losses like a less simpler setup for example lengthy installs, drivers, etc and other issues like loss of split screen play, etc

the pc has disadvantages too its mostly about which disadvantages you are willing to bear

The PC is the most verstaile system when it comes to controls.  The PS3 controller and 360 controller both have advantages and disadvantages... and both work on PC.

and has by far the best online support.

For those unwilling to give up the those things... PC is the place to play.

maybe doesn't change the fact that they are also several disavantages which come with pc gaming like extensive install times, poor console ports, a more complicated setup ( dealing with drivers, keys etc )

the versatility of the control scheme doesn't truly matter as the consoles have adequate controls suited for most game types anyway

"and has by far the best online support" how is that so?

it all comes down to what someone considers the criteria for a hardcore gamer is i could just as easily say that a hardcore gamer doesn't put up with the complicated setup for pcs or the porting issues pc games get from consoles etc

It has the best online support.

PC servers run smoother, have less lag, usually support dedicated servers, get game balancing patches and glitch fixes and deal with cheaters instantly rather then having to wait for an admin to catch up to them.

PC support is better in basically everyway possible.

Don't forget guys that Wii broken all sales records that means it shouldn't have much trouble in breaking records of the speed it's failing down ;)