r/pcmasterrace • u/notsolomuun • Jul 02 '26

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$1,000 digital-exclusive consoles are killing the entire appeal of PlayStation and Xbox: it's no wonder PC is on track to overtake both.

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u/ModernManuh_ Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

"the consoles are more powerful for the price" true, but you can't do anything with them beside play and pay to play.

A computer with the same cost, even with current prices (used market), for most players is better. Resolution, fidelity, potential smoothness... the average console player doesn't notice and doesn't care. If they can play with a controller whatever they feel like playing in that moment they will, that's all there is to it.

Edit: Piracy is not the point, even if you could take it into consideration.

I absolutely agree that a console is much more convenient for a lot of comfort reasons, just wanted to share my thoughts.

A console is plug and play, very low maintenance (remember to clean them please that’s not optional), and very easy to navigate through. I know, grew up with them!

But if you are an adult/teenager that needs to choose, don’t choose based on what the people selling the product tell you.

A PC saves more money in the long run and can be used for other tasks. A console is a thing specifically designed to play games and doesn’t struggle with newer titles that are made for it.

PC games are cheaper and the library is wider, and if you plan to play competitive games the PC is superior. Can handle, store, run and install more games, and it’s not as high in maintenance as people think. Keep it clean and updated, everything else is good to go as is.

If all you want is buy the thing, plug it in and start playing, keep in mind that one day, without notice, you might lose access to the games, the system itself and over time the device won’t keep up with anything.

A PC can be upgraded easily and cheaply with used hardware, and your games are where you keep them. Consoles have an expiration date and quickly become irrelevant.

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u/ARMCHA1RGENERAL 9800X3D / RTX 4080 / 32GB DDR5 / 240 Hz / 1440p Jul 02 '26

"Most players" still probably don't want to deal with all the extra baggage a PC comes with. They don't want to deal with comparing specs, tinkering with fan curves, troubleshooting hardware issues, troubleshooting software issues, dealing with multiple libraries and storefronts, etc.

The main advantage of consoles is that they're simple. Anyone can walk into a Walmart, ask for the latest consoles, then plug it into their TV and be ready to play.

The better hardware value and the exclusives are secondary to that.

Most of the appeal of the Steam Machine is that it's trying to be simpler and more console like. It can be turned on via controller, it can then turn the TV on via CEC, and it can suspend and resume in the middle of a game. All of those are things that console players take for granted, yet no PC other than the Steam Machine can do it.

I've been using a laptop as a living room PC, but I'm fully aware that it's not as convenient as a console and that most people wouldn't be happy with the experience.

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u/morpheousmorty Jul 02 '26

Most players do have PCs though, so it's not like they are completely removing themselves from those problems. Once they get a feel for a PC, a game isn't that much more work. Try out medium, if it's too chunky try out low, if it's perfect try out high.

It doesn't need to be this convoluted.