Xbox Versus PC Gaming Pros and Cons

Kaitlyn Parrow
Sep 2, 2020
3 min read

Considering a new gaming system? Well, don’t give up on your old desktop just yet. Truthfully, it can be a difficult decision considering the longtime debate between Xbox gaming consoles versus gaming PCs. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, so I did the research to simplify it for you. Read on to figure out the pros and cons of each device, and ultimately, which is the better option for you — the Xbox or the PC?

The Xbox

Pros:

1. Price.

The Xbox One launched at 499 dollars, making it cheaper than a PC. Gaming consoles also happen to be more cost-effective in the long run. As long as you take care of it, a console can last up to an entire generation (about 7 years) — making it the more affordable option.

2. Acquisition of games.

When you buy a game on a console, you can either buy a retail physical copy, or you can purchase a digital copy from the network (Xbox Live). If you decide to purchase a physical copy, you could always resell it later or even buy one for cheaper if you get it used.

3. Consoles, which are becoming more popular.

With new releases of gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Sony Playstation, there is a push towards the popularity of these devices. Therefore, gaming consoles may have a better future as they continue to advance.

Cons:

1. Membership pricing.

Through annual memberships, Xbox charges around 60 dollars a year to play online. Therefore, you will have fees even after your initial purchase of a gaming console.

2. Games offered.

Xbox offers less games than PC does. However, if you want to play a particular game that’s exclusive to Xbox like Halo 5, then you would need an Xbox console to do so. So, really you need to decide if you want access to a specific game or not.

3. Upgradability.

Let’s face it, the only thing you can really upgrade on an Xbox console is the storage. Aside from that, you can’t exactly take your console apart and install new pieces like you can with a PC.

PC Gaming

Pros:

1. Membership pricing.

Unlike Xbox, PC doesn’t charge you to play online at all. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about accounting for any extra expenses to play.

2. Games offered.

When it comes to available games, PC has the most to offer. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about the games being segregated by generation.

3. Upgradability.

PC wins by far on this one. Since a PC consists of many different components, you can repair and upgrade your PC all you want. With that being said, you can even build one from scratch!

Cons:

1. Price.

Since PCs can be composed of a large variety of different components, their prices can vary wildly as well. You can customize it all you want, but each of those pieces come with a price.

2. Acquisition of games.

Unfortunately, PC games don’t get physical releases anymore. You can still purchase hard copies of PC games in stores, but they are typically just a box filled with an activation code. Therefore, you can’t really resell your old PC games to make money off it to buy a new one.

3. Consoles are becoming more popular.

With gaming consoles becoming more and more popular, there’s a chance that PC hardware advancements may slow down. However, there will always be loyal PC fans who will refrain from switching over to gaming consoles.