Since the very first iterations of video game consoles arrived in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the tough decision for gamers to make has been whether to make a more practical home computer purchase or whether to have some funby going with the consoles which they know are focused on delivering fun and excitement.
As the vision of console gaming was truly realised in the mid-1990s, with Nintendo, Sega and Sony breaking all consumer records in the console wars, thedivision became even more apparent. With the latest line of powerful consoles set to hit shops this Christmas and PCs becoming even more powerful and cost-efficient than ever before, what should a player’s next prospective purchase be?
Budget
Right from the outset, the difference in price can mean that a gaming PC is a non-starter.The very latest developments in graphics and sound don’t come cheap, meaning that you could be paying over £1,000 to get yourself started with a gaming laptop. The price points for the upcoming PS4and XBox One are around £350-£400, meaning that a much moreaffordable gaming experience can be had in the next few months.However, the lifespan of these consoles is certain to be a lotshorter than that of a properly teched and specced PC. Replacing the consoles outright will work out to be a lot more expensive thansimply upgrading your gaming laptop, meaning that the steep initial fees work out much more affordably in the long run.
Games
As the war of exclusivity wages on between the consoles desperate to sign up therights to release certain blockbuster games, these deals typically don’t extend to the PC – meaning that you can get your hands on just about any upcoming games which are suitable for play. PC games are cheaper to buy too because they are more easily and efficiently programmed than the proprietary coding which goes into console games. With a games library catering to all tastes as opposed to the more aggressive shooters and fighters seen on consoles, the gaming laptop should suit anyone who wishes to have a more casual gaming experience– as well as comfortably accommodating those who do wish to spill enemies’ virtual blood.
Leisure
While the consoles can also lay claim to more and more entertainment features which give them an added edge as the hub of the living room, gaming laptop users can also enjoy the same perks – streaming films, TV shows and music with the help of companies like LOVEFiLM and Netflix. However, one developing area of entertainment which only a laptop can provide is in online poker. Poker is fast becoming the best online experience imaginable – and it’s something which the consoles cannot yet offer due to their manufacturers’ restrictions and policies. With the freedom of choice afforded by a gaming laptop which cannot be enjoyed by Microsoft or Sony, anyone can log on and enjoy a real gameof poker with friends – whether for fun or for monetary gains. Sites like
Ladbrokes.com are offering a more diverse way to play than the consoles cannot yet hope to match. Although consoles offer players the freedom of the universe, sometimes all you want to do is kick back at the virtualpoker table with friends – something which, of the two options,only gaming laptops can provide right now.
Catherine: Full Body’s English translation for the Vita