The base PS5 can be beat with like a sub-$200 GPU or even a computer with high end integrated graphics like a Beelink mini PC or perhaps even a laptop that one may already own.
Quantity of games doesn’t matter but platform compatibility, extensibility, and longevity does. Consoles have compromised modding, no ability to install custom software like open source game engine replacements (OpenMW and OpenTTD), limited support of third party or customized hardware (Stream Deck, specialized simulation hardware, VR, etc).
Consoles make you throw out your old controllers when you get a new system, they often compromise or drop backwards compatibility with previous game libraries, and some even shut down their digital game stores. The PS3 almost shut theirs down before people complained. Now you can only buy games with PS Store balance, direct credit card purchases aren’t supported. The 3DS and WiiU eShop are gone.
And we didn’t even start talking about emulation or mouse and keyboard oriented games that suck on console. The most popular game of all time (Minecraft) is significantly worse on console and can’t be played with the extensive modding available that can completely transform the game (e.g., the Create mod). The Sims is awful with a controller. RimWorld, Stardew Valley, Cities Skylines, the entire survival crafting genre - all better games on mouse and keyboard.
If you really think gen 9 consoles are comparable to a laptop, we aren't really having an honest conversation here. I say this as someone with a $2500 gaming laptop with top end 2021 specs.
I'm not interested in having a console vs. PC debate. I just wanted to emphasize that it's not 2015 anymore and crypto ruined the idea of an affordable high end gaming pc. The good news is that there's plenty of non-aaa games and any pc you pick up for college can probably play older AAA games and indies with no issue. hence why the steam deck is very popular among pc players who wanted some portability. The cheapest gaming is indeed whatever pc or laptop you can pickup, even pre-built.
Power isn't everything, but clearly the ps5 pro and higher end cards are targeting power users. Someone not price sensitive already has some $3k top end gaming rig and won't be convinced of any console (the camp it sounds like you are in). For those that want a taste of that high end but are cost sensitive will probably look towards the PS5 Pro.
Is that a sustainable market? I don't think so. But gen 9's theme has been unsustainability with the devs suffering for the state of the economy (no matter how good or bad your last release was), so this is just on point.
> If you really think gen 9 consoles are comparable to a laptop
I mean, yes, I do. I can run new AAA games on my MacBook Pro via native ports on Steam and the Mac App Store or Crossover.
Hell, Resident Evil 7 runs on a fucking iPhone at this point.
Don't forget that many PS5 games' render resolution is 1080p and under and up to 60FPS. It really isn't that powerful. If you take your gaming laptop and play at 1440p and complain that you're barely getting 60FPS at high/ultra settings, well, you're already outperforming a base PS5.
> crypto ruined the idea of an affordable high end gaming pc.
idk if you have noticed but we aren't at peak crypto GPU prices. This isn't 2022. GPUs are relatively affordable.
> Power isn't everything, but clearly the ps5 pro and higher end cards are targeting power users
PS5 Pro is equivalent to mid-range PC graphics cards. At $700.
If you own a PC right now, let's say it's a similar age to the PS4. You've got an AM4 motherboard with a Ryzen 1000 or 3000 series and a GTX 1080 or 1070 or something like that.
If you spend $700 on an upgrade and get yourself a Ryzen 5700x3D and RX 7900GRE you are vastly outperforming the PS5 Pro. Heck, if your gaming is more GPU bound and your processor still holds up you could skip the processor and buy an RTX 4070 Ti Super for $700. That GPU will positively SMOKE the PS5 Pro.
Quantity of games doesn’t matter but platform compatibility, extensibility, and longevity does. Consoles have compromised modding, no ability to install custom software like open source game engine replacements (OpenMW and OpenTTD), limited support of third party or customized hardware (Stream Deck, specialized simulation hardware, VR, etc).
Consoles make you throw out your old controllers when you get a new system, they often compromise or drop backwards compatibility with previous game libraries, and some even shut down their digital game stores. The PS3 almost shut theirs down before people complained. Now you can only buy games with PS Store balance, direct credit card purchases aren’t supported. The 3DS and WiiU eShop are gone.
And we didn’t even start talking about emulation or mouse and keyboard oriented games that suck on console. The most popular game of all time (Minecraft) is significantly worse on console and can’t be played with the extensive modding available that can completely transform the game (e.g., the Create mod). The Sims is awful with a controller. RimWorld, Stardew Valley, Cities Skylines, the entire survival crafting genre - all better games on mouse and keyboard.