Posted by: MarkH
Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 04:28
So the offspring has been nagging for a console for a while,and I have finally buckled. But just before taking an Xbox to the checkout counter I paused and wondered if it might be a better long term idea to get a small dedicated PC instead.
As I see it, the key comparisons are be that it would be a higher hardware cost (no MS subsidy), an approx equal software cost for the games, but a wider range of games and a higher quality video / audio output. But is it possible to replicate completely the ease of use of a dedicated console with things like wireless controllers and other peripherals and have it All Just Work ?
I'm guessing that there are a hundred varieties of sites along the lines MyPCIsWayBetterThanYourConsoleAndHeresWhy.com - but any pointers to recommended reading ?
Thanks
Mark
Posted by: tfabris
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 05:02
I suppose the next questions are:
- What are you going to use it for?
- If the answer is "playing games", then it's just a question of which games are your favorites.
I've had my PC hooked up to the television set for the last week or two, and I've really enjoyed playing games this way. In fact, it's kind of made me less interested in getting an xbox right away because now I'm enjoying my games widescreen on a nice big LCD, just like the xbox displays in the stores.
The only thing is, there are some games you can't get on the PC. Like, I'd love to play Halo 2 right now, but can't, since I don't own an Xbox.
There are a lot of games that are the same, such as Need For Speed Most Wanted, which is one of my current favorites. After finding an online resolution patcher, I can run it in 16:9 widescreen and it works great. I've found that a lot of games which don't have widescreen support by default can be patched for it by third party tools.
On the other hand, I'm playing a lot of Counter-Strike Source, and you just can't do that kind of thing properly on an Xbox. First person shooters are mediocre at best with a joystick, keyboard+mouse feel so much more natural.
If you're talking about doing other things with the Xbox/PC combination, such as watching movies, just get a good DVD player and a Tivo and be done with it.
Posted by: MarkH
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 05:29
Tony
Thanks for that. It's just going to be for games. And I see that both
Saitek and Logitech have the wireless stuff available, so it looks like it could be viable.
Regards
Mark
Posted by: tfabris
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 06:14
Re-reading the thread, I have another comment:
Your original post said that it was your offspring nagging you. I missed that part the first time around. The offspring are going to want Xbox games period. Because that's what all their friends are playing. You might not necessarily keep them satisfied with a PC.
Posted by: tfabris
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 06:17
Oh, and I'm assuming that in all of your calculations, you're got a nice flatscreen widescreen HDTV with lots of inputs for DVI/HDMI, Component, and VGA, right?
Because without those inputs, the newest Xbox and the latest PC video cards aren't going to be very helpful.
Posted by: MarkH
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 08:28
Yeah, I have the TV thing covered. But it's an excellent point on the peer group - I'll have to do some more focus group research there.
Cheers
Mark
Posted by: msaeger
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 09:12
If you are only getting one console I would get a PS2 because there are way more good games available for it and they are cheap too.
Posted by: Schido
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 10:29
We had that on pc too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quest_for_FameI still have that guitar pick with wire lying somewhere, i think it was for the paralel port. Should i try to find it and bring it to the bring and buy? :-)
Posted by: frog51
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 10:33
Seconded! Remember Guitar Hero 2 is coming out very soon.
It ain't a first person shoot em up or a driving game (which are my two favourite genres) but I think GH is the best game of all time... partly for the reason that it can be played by EVERYBODY (caveat..arms, hands and fingers are necessary)
Trying to persuade my brother to buy it too - so we can play head to head. And I'm really going to try to get one of my songs on GH3!
Posted by: Schido
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 10:48
Posted by: Schido
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 13:42
Ok, i tried frets on fire, not my type of game.
But the tutorial is extremely funny
Posted by: visuvius
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 14:54
I would go the console route. I'm a PC person myself (for now), but I think for a kid, consoles are probably better. I think it is important to know how old the kid is. He might have a lot more fun with the upcoming Wii ,or even the Gamecube then the xbox.
Consider age and then check out the various games available.
Posted by: hybrid8
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 25/08/2006 16:15
Or to just put what Tom said into less words:
Software for a desktop PC isn't designed to be easily used in a console-like fashion.
That's it (and includes both OS and content). If you want to play more than one or two games then go with the dedicated console. There's just not a single "pro" in favor of a traditional PC when it comes to gaming in the living room.
Posted by: msaeger
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 26/08/2006 01:08
I disagree. I don't care what generation it is I just want fun games and the PS2 has way more good games than the 360 ever will.
Posted by: sein
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 26/08/2006 07:02
Yeah, I agree to disagree
Although the PS2 has many quality games, I find that there is also a huge amount of trash for it as well. The main thing is that I think without online multiplayer play, it can't be as much fun as the Xbox/PS3/Wii/DS/PSP can be.
Posted by: Waterman981
Re: Xbox / PC dilemma - 28/08/2006 17:54
Perhaps instead of Warcraft 4 we will get
Starcraft 2?