In that case, my cell phone is a gaming consol as is my DVD player (DVDs with games on them).

I beleive you are wrong because # of games =/= gaming console. A gaming console is an electronic device that has one MAIN purpose in life, and that is to play games. it can certainly do other things, but it cannot do the other things as well as a PC. A PC is not a gaming console because it does more than just play games, and what it does more of, it does very well. The term "gaming Console" is reffering to a console (something that does a limited amount of tasks) that is mainly used for gaming. The PC does not fit that description.

@ Jaycee, Yes there are diferances between each gaming console, however, the diferances between gaming onsoles is hardly as large as the diferance between a gaming console, and a PC.

This OT makes perfect sense. Thanks for clearing up this common mis-conception that a PC is a Game Console...clearly...they are different. Yes, a PC...CAN play games, however it's purpose is endlessly multi-functional. I'd be damned if i could Photoshop, or run my Fruity Loops 8, ReCycle, or Pro-Tools on my X360, or PS3.

Technically you could run photo editing or music editing software on a PS3 through Linux, but really, I'm not sure what the point of that would be other than because you can.

On the other hand, it is entirely possible for someone to build or buy a PC with a sole purpose in mind like a server, HTPC or a dedicated gaming PC for those who own multiple computers.

I bet this thread is a responce to the "games on one console and pc are not exlusive " stuff from last week.

And of course PC isn't console.

Console is very specialized custom operating system PC.

ironman I will answer you question with a question of my own. If I buy a PC from alienware and use it only to play games and a PS3 that I only use to watch Blu-Rays which is a gaming console?

This thread has fundamental flaws, because it wants to split hairs but it doesn't even define its own context.

To clarify:
- in the context of everyday's speech an iPhone is not a PC. Ask any person on the street if they have a PC in their pocket and they'll laugh at you.
- in the strictest techincal context: the iPhone is a personal computer by all means. So are all modern cellular phones actually (CPU, input/output, implementation of a Turing machine, etc), so it's most probable that the former person is technically bringing a personal computer in his/her pocket.

Back on the OT's terms:
- in the context of everyday's speech consoles and PCs are clearly separated, this is not even an issue.
- in the strictest technical context: every PC is a console depending on how it's used and every console is a personal computer, though limited in software availability and peripherals.

I find amusing the fact that the dictionary definitions (liberally) quoted are actually the technical ones, not the layman ones, and as thus they go against the OP's own position.

"A Console is optimized to play games"

The PS3 only does everything! Haha, made me lol!

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Secondly. You keep saying that a Console by definition specializes in playing videogams, but your own posted definition dosen't say that at all. Re-read what it actually says "electronic device for playing video games, usu. requiring connection to a television". So if i use an electronic device for playing video games (PC), and connect it to my TV. That would by definition qualify as a gaming console! And it was right there, under your noes. You even said it yourself. 

But if you keep arguing that a Console does only one thing, while a PC does multiple. Would a PSP be a console? Since you can hook it up and play games via your TV?

Another point. Like I said before, "requiring a connection to a television" is an outdated definition, ever since they started manufacture LCD screens. They're selling tons of 22" LCD screens as PC monitors. So for all the teenaged boys and girls that have their gaming device hooked up to their "PC monitor" in their rooms, falls under the definition of "requiring connection to a TV". So the TRUE definition of what a console is;

"an electronic device for playing video games".

Also, since when is a PC known as a "Processor"? Haha. "Hey, excuse me sir. Im in the market for a processor." 

And finally, sign me up to the list of people that thinks a PC falls under your definition of Console. Funny how you went and started a new thread just to get some backup for the thread where you claimed 360/PC games are exclusives, and when people ask you the purpose of this thread, you ignore them. (lol).

I agree with WereKitten.

If anyone said to their frined;

- "Oh i just bought a new PC"
- "Sweet, what did you get?"
- "An Xbox 360"

He'd probably laugh at you. And call you stupid. But when the OP, as WereKitten said, used the technical term to make his case, he shot himself in the foot right at start.

Ok, too many people to reply to, lol. so if I miss you, I appologise. 

@Gameover22,

The structural design, as well as it's intended use/main purpose defines a PCs purpose, you can "design" a PC to do primarily gaming, but PC will still perform a plethora of other tasks that a gaming console cannot. Is a DVD player that is only used for playing cds still considered a DVD player? Just because a person chooses to use it to perform a different task does not mean it suddenly becomes something else? To the person using the DVD player as a CD player, it may be a CD player, but that is not the DVD players main function. or the reason it was created.

@FinalEvangalion, 

I don't care about whether or not the PC is a gaming platform, this is common knowledge and if you wish to discuss it, go to this thread http://www.vgchartz.com/forum/thread.php?id=88675&page=1 

@ greenmedic88 and zarx

We have already established that, while a PS3 CAN act like a PC, that is NOT it's main, or intended purpose. If it were not for games, the PS3 would not exist. If it were not for games...well, PCs would still exist. 

@werekitten,

You are incorrect about the Iphone. While it can be used to perform some of the functions of a PC it does not have the versatility of the PC. You are also incorrect about the "strictest technical context" of a PC. It CAN be used as a gaming console BUT it is still a PC. If games did not exist for a PC, the PC would still exist. If games did not exist for a gaming console, the console would not exist. this should show you something about their specific uses. A PC has no specific purpose for existing because it has MANY reasons for existing. A gaming console has ONE purpose for existing..gaming...this tells you it's main purpose is playing games,

@MAFFKA, 

We have already argued this point in another thread...well should I say I argued, you ignored. I brought up a few key points time and time again, and I don't know if you didn't read them, or chose to ignore them, but you NEVER refuted those points and continued "arguing" about things that were irrelevant to the specific point, and things I had already said I agreed with you on. then there was the annoying use of /thread t the end of each of your failed posts. To save time, and keep me from getting a headache from banging my head against a brick wall. I have simply placed you at the top of the "believe that a PC is a gaming console" list where you can stay for all eternity. If you wish to argue your point, and you are willing to actually listen and read everything I say, instead of ignoring several rather important points I make because they completely destroy your argument, then by all means, state your case, but do it on my wall, it's public enough were everybody who wants to can see it, and will keep this thread from becoming clogged up. 

Yeah isn't it kinda obvious that a PC isn't a gaming console?