Playing on PC is a joy. There are many very good video game consoles, whether desktop, portable or retro that take us back to the past and there are even other devices such as modern smartphones that allow us to play mobile games of all kinds, but -in our opinion- a computer staff offers the best experience to enjoy the many games offered every year by the world’s leading entertainment industry.
The launch of the latest generation of video game consoles from Microsoft and Sony, the two great bastions of the segment together with Nintendo, It has been a disaster due to lack of stock that two years later we are still suffering. No new releases are expected until at least 2027 and, in addition, the approval (or not) of the purchase of Activision-Blizzard by Microsoft is pending, the largest purchase operation in the history of video games with an estimated value of 69,000 million dollars, which can have huge repercussions especially in the console market.
Seven reasons to play on PC
In this scenario it is logical that a part of players are considering the change to a more powerful, upgradeable and versatile machine, which incidentally satisfies the rest of their computing needs. We leave you with some reasons to use your personal computer as the preferred machine to play, but since not everything is black and white, we end by citing some disadvantages that also exist.
1.- A PC is more powerful than a console
Modern games are a type of software that demands a lot from the hardware, especially in the graphic section that we will see later, but in other components as well. There is no color here. Any type of comparison that you make will certify that a personal computer offers better performance than a console. And it’s just a matter of size. Consoles are large miniature machines, which to offer a compact size and an attractive price requires some sacrifices. Any well-configured mid-range PC tower (or even a gaming laptop) will give you better performance. The case of Cyberpunk 2077 and its disastrous versions for consoles was significant about what we talked about: you can’t ask for pears from the elm tree.
2.- A PC offers better graphics
The graphics chip is the key component in running video games. If consoles, even the most powerful ones, have to settle for a custom SoC that includes the graphics chip, PC towers have state-of-the-art dedicated graphics that offer unparalleled performance, as well as in terms of visual quality, resolution native, support for high dynamic range, advanced technologies such as ray tracing or a much higher frame rate per second. The latest graphics available allow you to play with resolutions up to 8K, something unattainable for any console.
3.- A PC can be updated
A console must begin to be developed many years in advance and when it hits the market its hardware is far from the latest available. On the other hand, its own design and degree of miniaturization, with multiple welded components, does not allow almost any type of update. Also, the consoles are locked to prevent hacking of games. If you see that there comes a day that your console does not produce good enough graphics, there is little you can do except buy a higher model, while a PC tower is much easier to keep up to date.
4.- A PC is easier to repair
Connected with the previous section, the modular design of a personal computer not only facilitates updating, but also makes it much easier to repair, understanding it as the change of one of its components. A modern video game console is practically not repairable and furthermore any attempt will void the warranty. Any serious problem will require the replacement of the entire machine.
5.- The PC can be used for other computing tasks
Perhaps the biggest advantage of a PC over a console is its versatility, since you can use it for gaming, but also for any digital task as a one-size-fits-all machine, be it surfing the Internet, playing media or working, while consoles are useless. out of the games function.
6.- There are more games available
The console-exclusive game war has kept us from playing some great titles on PC, but the tide is changing and many console games are porting to PC as a natural move and the launch of services like Xbox Game Pass make it easier. In addition, the total number of games for PC is much higher than that available for each console. It is the most “neutral” platform and although it is penalized by the aforementioned war of exclusives, the future points to a greater number of cross-platform titles that can be played on any device.
7.- Mouse and keyboard offer more control
Video game consoles include very good level controllers and third parties offer a wide range of controls that can be used. They are very comfortable and allow you to play while lying on the sofa, but if you are looking for greater control (and performance) nothing is comparable with peripherals such as the keyboard and mouse. In addition, there are types of games where they are essential, see shooter competitive where that thousandth of a second matters and let alone genres such as strategy where despite the customizations of the controls it is very difficult to play without a mouse and keyboard.
Playing on PC: not all are advantages
Much of what has been said above can be countered with accurate arguments by console lovers. And it is that the PC also has its drawbacks, shortcomings or disadvantages compared to using a machine dedicated exclusively to games.
The first is the price section and it is very relevant since it can mark everything else. Although the personal computer is extremely versatile as we said and can be used for other computing tasks, building a modern PC tower to play properly can multiply the price of a console by 4, 5 or more. Just a mid-range dedicated graphics card and above already costs more than an entire console. That is why some users prefer to buy their console and add, for example, a cheap laptop for the rest of their computing tasks.
Another important section where consoles are superior is their ability to install and use. You plug it into the power grid, connect an HDMI cable to a display, and that’s pretty much all you have to do to start gaming. Building a PC yourself requires certain knowledge and even when buying new computers that have already been assembled, you have to deal with the operating system, drivers, etc. Consoles don’t need any of this and ease of use is a big plus for many.
The optimization that consoles offer to run each game they release for their platform is usually high with the occasional exception that proves the rule. Especially in the exclusive ones for them. The programmers work on specific hardware and not on the hundreds of different configurations of a PC, and thus it is understood that with a lower general performance level, the games work perfectly on others that have been ported to personal computers.
And the exclusive games. Although they are fewer and fewer, there are games that are not ported to the PC and to play them require the purchase of a console. Furthermore, the major franchises/games are used to sell consoles themselves to attract consumers to that platform. If the benefits from the sale of hardware are not as great as the layman might think, they are the added games that they will buy (very expensive on consoles) and the potential services that they can hire.
And what do you think? Bets to play on PC? Or for both to have the best of each platform?
