Gaming Consoles [Xbox and Playstation]: How they work ?

Question

Hello !

I am planning to buy a game console and need to understand a few things:

1] How different is a video game console from a normal computer that can be used to play games in terms of hardware, accessories, media, performance and feel ?

2] What is the difference between Xbox and Playstation ? And which one of these two is a better gaming console ?

3] Can a gaming console be used in place of a computer for other normal computing jobs like creating and reading documents etc ?

Answer 1

Gaming consoles are optimized for performance in the graphics department, whereas normal computers are built for general-purpose use. With new consoles you'll be able to get unbelievably realistic 3D graphics that's simply impossible to achieve on a PC nowadays. Games for consoles will be specifically designed to run smoothly on that particular console, so chances are you will never experience any lags or glitches. This is not the case for PCs since so many models with different capabilities exist, and game manufacturers can't predict which model of PC their game will run on.



Xbox and Playstation are similar in capabilities, just made by different companies. Different versions of Playstation have been around for a long time and have been widely favored, whereas Xbox is only introduced relatively recently. You can expect to find many more games (including old ones, with less stellar graphics) that are playable on the Playstation. If you find a game that you really want to play, but only runs on a particular console, then your choice is really limited to that console.



Consoles usually use a controller with directional and action buttons, and probably will not have a place to connect a keyboard (USB notwithstanding). For that reason, it won't be practical to create documents on a console. You will probably not find many document processing software designed for consoles either. In general, consoles are good for showing media (music, pictures, movies, documents if you want), but are not ideal for creating or editing them.



Consoles do not come with a monitor or speakers. You usually hook them up to your TV or home entertainment system.

Answer 2

Well first things first, to understand the differences between gaming consoles and computers you also have to know whether the computer is used primarily for gaming or not. If not, then the obvious difference is that one is meant for computing with some gaming being a benefit, whereas the other is mainly meant for gaming.



Now let's talk about some of the simularties of a computer and gaming console. Both xbox 360 and the PS3 are essentially computers, in fact some of the same components in the 360 are used in PCs. The PS3 is a little different in the sense you won't find most of the hardware in the PS3 in any PC. Accessories for each system differ in their connection mainly. The 360 for instance uses proprietary wireless technology for it's wireless connectivity of it's wireless controllers, and accessories. The PS3 however, uses industry standard Bluetooth for it's connectivity to wireless accessories.



Although you stated Playstation and Xbox, I am assuming you're referring to the current generation of gaming systems which are actually Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. (There was a previous version of the Playstaion called 'Playstation' and the original xbox was called 'Xbox'.)



Can a gaming console be used in place of a computer for other normal computing jobs? ABOSLUTELY, the PS3 can be loaded with the Linux operating system, and you can then install Firefox (web browser), Open Office (Office apps, similar to MS Office), and other Linux based applications and then allow the PS3 to boot into Linux with the provided boot loader. In fact Yellow Dog Linux was the first to get a distribution of Linux to work with the PS3, there are now others.

Here's the thing, unlike Microsoft and the Xbox 360, Sony shows you how to replace the hard drive with a bigger drive, and how to load the OS on your PS3, without voiding your warranty. That's right, putting Linux on your PS3 DOES NOT void your warranty, nor does putting in a bigger hard drive.

The PS3 has usb ports, so that you can use usb devices, such as keyboards, mice, webcams, etc....

Although the 360 also has usb ports, keyboards and mice may work, but webcams, not likely to work. Also you cannot install an additional OS on the 360.



Hope this helps a bit.

Answer 3

questions 1 and 3 share the same answer. a gaming system absolultly can NOT be used for normal documentation that is the MAIN difference between a computer and a game console. A game system is ONLY for playing games on, this makes it cheaper than a computer and better suited for gaming - a computer has the capability to become a great (maybe even better) gaming machine but by the time you get everything you need to upgrade it you will have spent much more than a gaming console costs.



as for which is better, that is a matter of opinion and open to interpretation - i assume you are talking about the newest platforms (Xbox 360 and Playstation 3) both of these are hi-def and can be played online against other people...the Playstation 3 also plays bluray disks so if you dont yet have a hi-def player you might want to consider it. I personally think xbox 360 is better.