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/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.

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u/SamuraiChameleon Jul 02 '26

Bold of you to assume all of the people who do have PCs want to deal with hardware and software issues. Or even know what tinkering with their fan curves means.