but the point you are missing is that just because you CAN use the purpose built gaming machine to do other things doesn't stop the fact that is what it was built for (using your argument) if just what it could be used for defines what it is then a PS3 is a Blu-ray player because I can use it to play Blu-rays or a PC because I can use it to surf the net, use it for medical research etc.

Seriously people it is Ironman, if you can't tell where this is coming from and going to then grab a road map in the lobby.

Despite what Ironman of the "unique" spelling prowess claims I don't think this is a black and white issue just because he/she wants it to be. You are asking people their opinion, which by default allows for personal interpretation, which leads us down the clever logic path that strays from a black and white end result.

Oh and at some point it was stated or stressed that a console only plays games yet mine plays DVDs, Blu rays, allows me to connect to the internet, lets me communicate with my friends, with the folding@home function my "console" adds to a greater processing collective, and on and on.

A pc is a machine that is capable of serving the functions of a console but is more. PS3/X360 are consoles that are capable of serving some functions of a pc.

IMO the only reason you are drumming this thread up is so that in the future when you say "it is an X360 console exclusive" yet I can never own an X360 and still play the game makes it a bit of a misnomer in that it between the X360 and PS3 it is exclusive but I can turn around and still play it on my PC. Some PS3 exclusive games are not exclusive either as they can be played on a PC.

The sad thing is I took the time to respond lol darn I fell into the trap yet again. When winter hits we can always look to Ironman to heat things up in here at least.

What I am saying (and the point you missed) even IF the PC was purposely built for gaming, it still can and WILL be used for other tasks, A gaming PC is STILL a PC, it is just geared for gaming. A gaming console can be used for other things, but at the end of the day, it is still a gaming console. Without games, your "gaming" PC is still a PC, and would still exist for people like me, people who would use the EXACT same setup for 3D modeling, and Studio quality music recording. A gaming console would NOT exist without games. Now, pay attention, this is the trickey part. Since the PC would still exist without games it is NOT a gaming console because it obviously has many other reasons for existing. Conversly, the gaming console, would not exist because without games. It would be pointless to make them since the PC is more versitile and can do MORE than a console can.

@ Robbie, I don't know what you mean when you say "if you cant tell where this is coming from" please enlighten me.

You are correct that I am asking for peoples opinion, and then, I am explaining why they are wrong if they disagree...but i guess this wouldn't be a forum if discussion did not take place.

You are incorrect that at ANY point it was stressed that gaming consoles "ONLY" play games. This is, however, their main purpose for exisiting...but I just answered that question so, read what I replied to zarx.

Actually, FYI I have NEVER entered into, or commented on an argument about specific exclusive games, you know why? Because I don't give a rats ass. I don't need exclusives to validate my choice of console, unlike you, I am not that insecure. However, I am sick of people fighting and butting heads over symantecs, and in this thread, I am giving people a list they can referance to before arguing a point about exclusives, if you don't like it, go away, you are already on the list, and I see you are unwilling to have a conversation, so, I will put you up at the top with MAFFKA.

but the point is if games didn't exist the GAMING PC wouldn't have been made.

No, it would have been made, it just wouldn't have been called a gaming PC.

so you are saying that if I had no interest in doing anything on a PC and custom built a gaming PC it is not a gaming console (a device for the main purpose of playing games by your definition) because if all PC games were erased from existence it could still be used for other things?

if that is so the PS3 (for example) isn't a gaming console as if games didn't exist it would still be a blu-ray player

The PC is not a console, it has many many purposes, although many of ushere may use our PC's for gaming, that was never their primary purpose. Consoles have limited functions compared to a PC, but little by little this line might start to disappear, and console will end up becoming full fledged multimedia devices with SOME PC functionality (like web-browsing, etc). You can already see this happening, especially with the PS3.

No, the PS3 would not exist. Sony makes othe Bluray players that do the job as well, or better, for cheaper. Once you take away a gaming consoles primery purpose for existance, it has no reason for being designed. if you take away the primary reason for a gaming PC to exist, well, that very same PC will exist because it performs another task just as well. The PS3 is a clunky blueray player at best, it does not do the job as well, even with the remote.

Also, I propose you this, Why are PC games solds as "PC games" and gaming console games sold as "Video Games" If the two are the same thing, shouldn't the PC games be called video games as well????

Lol you called me Robbie, didn't realize we were that close. You are wrong by implying that I was unwilling to have a conversation, in fact I don't see where I, at any point, claimed this wild theory of yours. You also cannot logically state that you are asking for opinions and then "explain why they are wrong if they disagree". They are only wrong "according to the thinking and logic of Ironman." I don't say that to be mean but seriously, what would make you the person who gets to decide correct or incorrect other than this is your thread, which I will acknowledge that.

I also have to point out your failed logic again in that you claim I implied exclusives are the reason to validate a console of choice for me. I do have to stress that many people do however; and they do this for a very simple and valid reason. For example, I have Object A that is very very similiar in function to Object B. Object A plays many of the same games as Object B; however, Object B has some games that can only be played on Object B. Object A has some games that can only be played on Object A. If I am a person that likes the exclusives on Object B I would be smart to get Object B. This doesn't mean I am out to end the universe or declare war on a third world country it is just a personal preference. You are a person that has no specific games you like and thus you would obviously not care whether you had Object A or Object B (although it has to be noted from your profile it appears you do favor a console for some reason, maybe you have all three, just making an observation (not to mention your avatar speaks a bit of volume about a game you like IMO)). Having a video game preference doesn't have anything to do with security for most people I know, myself included.

I do admit you have a valid point about the PC being stripped of the ability to play games it has more uses, but technically the PS3 can still Fold and process data (although not in a way that involves user interaction so it would thus be a point not worth stretching). I also admit you have a valid point that if you remove the ability to play games there isn't a ton of use for the X360, PS3, Wii, DSi, PSPGo, etc.

While it is admirable you are making a list, I hate to be the one to break it to you but this thread will get buried like pretty much all the others and most people will not stop in a thread and say "Oh hey, let me go dig up where Ironman stood on this point". I actually found the base premise of your original thought/statement to be interesting so I wandered into your thread. I have found comments of yours to be flame oriented in the past but I will look at your posts/comments with less bias on my part from this day on (not being a jerk, being serious).

Now you are going to probably call me petty or something and I am by no means perfect with spelling or grammar but could you use the word "semantics" rather than "symantecs" which I believe is a virus protection program for the PC...or was that a clever play on words due to the subject matter of your thread? :)

ok ok I submit but I still think that a gaming pc built spacifly fore gaming eg like one that is made by Alianware a company that only makes PCs for gaming, meats all the criteria of a gaming console and that the way Sony and Microsoft are headed the gap is rapidly closing and comes down to point of view/semantics.