[peanut]

I would have to disagree with some of what you say but agree with most.

My old PC I thought was quite good, that was until I got my new one and I don't know how or why I left it as long as I did. The difference is huge in comparison.

The main difference is that people do not want a giant box and a load of computer gear in their living rooms now, that I can understand. But for me that's never been an issue as the PC is a huge part of my life now so my PC/desk is 2ft away from my main TV (So everything is wired in). So I can play games, watch films ( I have no need to buy a blu ray player) all the big screen via the PC (via AV), no need for any kind of network and the PC is central to everything I enjoy and do. I can understand that this isn't a normal kind of set up.

I wasn't getting at you for downloading as it is part of having a PC but it is a main factor too. I couldn't see myself buying a console then paying £50 for a game, good or crap when you can download it in minutes for free.

Before I got the new PC I was geared up to get the latest console but as I said they are under performing and I can't pay out for the games that are on offer at the mo. So went all out on a PC that I hope to last for as long as it can. The gfx card alone is around £500+ so I don't make the same mistake that you (and I) have in the past. But I do also know I will have to update again at some point.

I use MSN to chat with friends and the wife whilst she's at work, I couldn't do that on a tablet (I have an ipad), nor would I want to use a console, I think if I wanted to I could list 101 things that a tablet and console couldn't do that a PC makes light work of so I can't compare the PC to a tablet etc.

Gaming is changing and that's good but crap for anyone who has a 'normal' PC, but it's all down to how much you're willing to pay out. But the gains are very nice if you can afford it.

As for consoles losing ground, well they right now. Most people would cringe if they said they have the XB1 as I would too if I had one. I ain't knocking them for what they can do right now but as a whole. The PS4 will certainly gain more popularity over the XB1. And no I ain't a fanboy of the XBOX, nor PC for that matter. I'm just disappointed in the new consoles, early days or not it doesn't change anything.

I can't compare ipads to consoles and PCs, I reckon I've spent more time on Candy Crush than any any PC game but it doesn't mean anything.

Bottom line is that bog stand PCs won't be enough to run games now how they should be run, you can get a cheaper console instead that would be better than a 'normal' PC which is good, I can't knock that. But the price of the games is something that is a problem for most PC owners so they'd rather upgrade to get around this.

In the month I've had this new PC, I've played a lot of Grid 2 which I could play on my old PC, but it's brilliant now with everything maxed out, I've played Wolfenstein and Watch Dogs again all maxed out and it's by far better than the consoles can do. But the point is I do not have to worry anymore (for a long while at least) about specs, nor prices. And I get the added bonus of doing everything I want super quick, painless and a whole lot cheaper.

It's all relative at the end of the day, I couldn't sit there with 1-2 games with the latest console instead of having a pick of whatever I want that comes with having a PC.

Choice - what choice..... PC suits me more than anything else that there is on offer. (By far). Some might say it is a welcome change that things are now progressing with the PC, my old PC could still run things on very high settings up until now and that's about 4-5 years old. Something has to change to make it more next gen and to appeal to a different audience and PC is now starting to do that. No different to the consoles have so you could say the PC will now appeal more because they are even more powerful than ever.

And I ain't knocking your opinion on all you've said either. It's all valid as far as I'm concerned.