Gaming Console VS Gaming PC, Which One Should You Get?
If I have money, I will get both, and if I have more money, I will get myself an Xbox One, a PlayStation 4 Pro, and a gaming PC.
Plus a gaming laptop so that I can take it to my grandmother’s house during the holidays.
I might also consider Nintendo Switch and PS Vita. I can use them while commuting to work.
If I have a lot of money 🙂
There are so many gaming gadgets out there, but not everyone has the luxury to own them all. Even if you have the money, I don’t think you can find the time to play with them.
Let’s compare a gaming console and a gaming PC. Since I own a PlayStation 4, I will use it in my comparison.
If you have limited funds, which one would be your choice? Even between these two, deciding can be very tough.
To help you make the decision, let’s consider some facts about both platforms.
Here Is A List Of Reasons Why A PlayStation 4 Is Better Than Getting A Gaming PC
1. Cost
You can get a basic version of PlayStation 4 Console 1 TB Slim Edition for USD286, while an entry-level gaming PC will cost you at least in the USD550 range.
The games are also cheaper. Take Titanfall 2 as an example. It is USD38.95 for both Xbox One and PS4, but USD40 for PC. I got mine for USD20 on a Black Friday sale.
2. Brands
There are many to choose from for a gaming PC. Ask ten of your friends who recently bought a gaming PC, and you might get ten different models from ten companies.
It is much simpler for a gaming console. It is either a Microsoft Xbox, a PlayStation, or a Nintendo.
PlayStation 4 is the most popular console in terms of units sold. According to IGN, Sony has sold more than 53.4 million PS4 units worldwide as of January 1, 2017.
3. Hardware Specifications
Whether it is Dell, Sony, Asus, HP, Toshiba, Acer, or Mac, you will also be overwhelmed with so many hardware specifications.
There are PC manufacturers that allow custom build to your specifications. However, you still need to pick the right graphic card, CPU, hard drive, RAM, motherboard, monitor, mouse, keyboard, and more.
The compatibility of the equipment is another issue.
And getting the best specs will surely burn a hole in your wallet.
You have lesser things to worry about if you get a gaming console. You only need to choose the hard drive size and whether you need to add additional accessories or not.
Ok, maybe one more – which game bundle you want. When I bought my PS4, I was stuck with either the Black Ops III or Star Wars Battlefront bundle. In the end, I chose the Darth Vader-Inspired PS4 system.
4. Upgrade-ability
Buying a PC does allow future upgrades, but keeping up with technology is very tough.
As I mentioned just now, compatibility is still a problem.
Will the hardware you are upgrading work with existing ones. Mixing the wrong hardware could easily cause your gaming PC to hang while playing. You don’t want that to happen in the middle of the game.
With a gaming console, you don’t have to worry about upgrading. Sony released PlayStation 4 on November 15, 2013, in the United States. If you bought it on the first day, you could still play the latest games on it.
I purchased mine in Nov 2015, it has been a year, and the only thing that I frequently update is the system software. The system will remind you to execute the update.
5. Warranty & After Sales Support
Both platforms have a good warranty and support groups. However, for a PC, when upgrading your hardware components, you need to be extra careful. Although upgrading is allowed, you must make sure it will not void the existing warranty. Some manufacturers allow upgrades as long as you go back to them.
My PS4 is still new. However, I own a PS3 for the past six or seven years and never had any problem with it. I gave it away as a gift to my son’s friend, and it is still alive and kicking.
There you go. When comparing Gaming Console VS Gaming PC, I have listed enough reasons to get a gaming console. If you still think you should get a gaming PC, then go ahead. The choice is in your hand, but take note of these additional two reasons.
6. Hardware Standardization
Gaming house can meticulously optimize their games for a PS4, but not for a PC. They will tell you the minimum PC specification required. You can’t enjoy the full capability of the game if you are playing at the lowest specs.
7. Gaming Console Reliability
If you buy a game for PS4, you can play it on a PS4 without any problem. Nuff said.
It’s 2023 and this blog post is still valid. It’s much easier with a console than a gaming PC. However, now that PlayStation 5 is available, get that!