Console to PC Gaming

Hi all,

So im in a situation and not sure what route I want to go (can only afford one). I want a new laptop and a next-gen game console. Budget is around $1000 for a laptop and $500 for the console (X1 or PS4). However, the only game I currently play is CoD MW4 (X360) and basically want a new console for CoD Ghosts. All I really like are FPS and I game casually maybe once or twice a week for a few hours. Im decent on the console, coming in the top 1/2-1/3rd of the games I play and once in a blue moon I will win a free-for-all match, haha! I still get killed plenty by pre-pubescent middle school kids.....

So my thinking was I could essentially spend $1500-1600 and get a capable gaming laptop instead so I have a faster machine that can play the only game I would play on the console anyway (Gigabyte P34G most likely). Here is the thing, Ive never gamed on a PC before and from what I understand, that would lead to me getting destroyed. Also, I dont like keyboard controls and would most likely use a Xbox controller for CoD. Does CoD accept a controller? I have heard yes and no.

I would like to hook the PC to the TV and use it like a console with a controller. How much of a disadvantage will I have? I read that controllers need some sort of aim assist to be competitive against a gaming mouse. Im just looking to get a setup and still have fun, no need to be the best or always win but getting destroyed all the time will be frustrating too.

So my options are a decent ultrabook and a console for gaming, possibly having better gaming results. Or a laptop that can handle both but at the expense of having a less enjoyable gaming experience. Can a once or twice a week couch gamer have a fun time transitioning to PC games? Like I said, I just want to have fun playing games and have no need for a high powered laptop with discrete graphics unless I use it to game.

Tom

 

If you only afford one , get a gaming laptop instead. There are more than enough games on the PC to keep you entertained and there are always sales on digital games so you wouldn't spend as much on PC games. I think most modern PC games support a controller but for games like First Person Shooters , a keyboard and mouse work much better.
You should also keep in mind that many people feel that FPS games belong on the PC. Even with the controller aim assist , you aren't going to have the same precision as a gaming mouse but it does help. I play FPS games with a mouse and keyboard , but for games like Tomb Raider and Batman I use an Xbox 360 controller.

Also , have you considered getting a gaming desktop and regular (or ultrabook) laptop instead?

I didn't buy any of the new consoles yet since I decided to upgrade my desktop gaming PC and I don't think the new consoles are worth it right now.

 

Im not interested in a desktop, living in an apartment and using half on the couch or half in bed required a laptop. Not a monster either, hence ultrabook or light gaming <14".

I can afford both, if I get a cheaper laptop and stick to the console for gaming. However I cant really afford a high end gaming laptop and a console right now (nor would I need both). As you can see in my signature, my laptop is in desperate need of a refresh!

 

Maybe just get an Ultrabook and PS4 instead. That should cost you under $1500. I assume that you have a TV or monitor , right?

 

If you're gonna use a controller on PC in online FPS games, prepare to get your a** destroyed.

 

Don't use a controller for FPSes. You will get crushed.

 

That was my expectation.... I guess i should stick to a console. I dont really have a legitimate spot to to sit and game with a KB and mouse. Thats why I wanted the controller to put the laptop on the coffee table and sit on the couch with a controller.

 

Allow me to play devil's advocate.

A gaming laptop would suffice, and I would argue it is a better option long term than a console.

Steam has "Big Picture" mode, which is for the exact situation you described - hooking up a pc to a tv and gaming on the couch.

I personally use a controller for several FPS on my laptop. Borderlands 1 & 2, Bioshock series, and Metro 2033 are all ones I use a controller for as I find it more comfortable. For 'twitchy' FPS, i do still prefer a keyboard and mouse. And that right there is a main benefit of a laptop - You can choose either and/or both and switch as you choose. As for getting 'destroyed', sure, it could happen. But if you don't care about having the world's best K/D ratio, then it shouldn't hurt your enjoyment any. Just my two cents. Good Luck!

 

A very nice TV actually

That is unless i go 0 for 30 every round!

 

Well yeah, for single player games, who cares? MP is a whole different story though.

 

I would strongly encourage you to get a PS4 instead of a gaming PC for your usage. Most people here are hardcore PC gamers so that's where their loyalties lie, but based on your original post, I don't think that's what's right for you.

The cost advantage of a PC over a console is for people who buy a large volume of non-new-release games. Many PC games sell for a tiny fraction of their original price when you buy them a year after their release; console games don't get as cheap as quickly. However, if you're going to spend a lot of time on one or two games, this won't help you much, and if you buy games when they're new, this won't help you at all. Also, Call of Duty games don't depreciate in value on the PC like most PC games do; even at a year old, they are still often $40 or more.

Call of Duty is going to look pretty much the same on a PC as it will on a next-gen console. So your extra money won't buy better graphics. Sure, other games, designed for the PC, will look better than console games, but you already said you primarily just want to play CoD.

If you prefer to play with a controller, which you already said you do, you'll be much better off playing against other controller-using players (which you'll find on the PS4) instead of primarily keyboard-and-mouse-using players (which you'll find when you play on the PC).

Finally, you can get very respectable non-gaming laptop in the $500-$600 range (Thinkpad Edge is my first recommendation in this price range). So you can get a PS4 and a new laptop for two-thirds the price of the $1500 gaming PC you're considering.

 

Eh, I've used a controller before, it's not terrible...

 

Just get a PS4 buddy. You're not gonna find a gaming notebook in that budget with much better specs than the PS4, and of course cross-platform games always look and perform better on consoles than on PC's with similar hardware due to optimization.

Using a controller for FPS on PC might be OK for singleplayer, but to be honest even for the tough ones it'll be a stretch. Have you played Halo PC on Legendary with a controller and no aim-assist? It's brutal. For multiplayer, you stand no chance of being competitive. Even if you're the best controller FPS player ever (which it doesn't sound like you are), you will get destroyed by noobs with KB&M. I can't imagine that would be fun for you.

 

For COD only, and only once or twice a week, and limited to only a controller, then stay with a console. First Person Shooters on a PC use a mouse and keyboard. With a mouse you can aim more precisly and quicker than with a controller. After all a joystick only moves an inch or two in a direction, but a mouse can cover a much bigger area. So the mouse gives more control.

This is one thing that bugs be about FPS on consoles, I feel it is so imprecise. A head shot on one is the difference of a quarter inch, but on the other it could be anywhere within an inch.

There are a small minority that use a 360 controller for FPS on PC though. So it is doable.

 

I would say wait and see how the Steam controller handles online shooters - the demo showing off how accurate it is in Counter Strike is very promising.

 

You talking about this video?



I wasn't impressed with the CS:GO demonstration at all. Maybe the guy just sucked, but for FPS Steam Controller hardly looks better than Xbox 360 pad. The reaction time and accuracy are still far below KB&M. Even on those stationary targets in the training course, you notice how he had to pause and slow down before lining up his headshots, and he still overshot on some of his swipes. A decent player lines up those headshots with a single fluid mouse swipe in a fraction of the time it took him to do it with Steam Controller. If you used Steam Controller in a direct gunfight against a KB&M player who's dancing left-and-right, you'd get destroyed.

For comparison, here is the CS:GO Weapons Course "world record" (looks legit IMO):



Even discounting the disparities in player skill, Steam Controller will never reach this level of proficiency.

So I can't see Steam Controller replacing KB&M if you play CS or SCII or DOTA or LoL. While it might work really well for more casual games or genres that already work well with Xbox 360 controller, for competitive online FPS and RTS/MOBA, KB&M is and will always be king. Ultimately I see Steam Controller complementing but not replacing KB&M. Whether it can replace Xbox 360 controller remains to be seen.

 

The steam controller is meant to be a good couch controller, so it isn't competing with kb and mouse. As for this discussion, the steam controller won't be released for a while. So it is not yet a option.

 

KB&M is also a good couch controller with a Couchmaster.

 

! I could so use that! I need to buy one of those

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. Kind of what I thought, I would stand no chance and likely have less fun.... The one real benefit I wanted from the laptop was portability. So when im visiting my parents on weekends, going to my brothers or killing time while my GF plays Hearthstone I could also game.

 

Well, for portability you can always the the PSVITA or Nintendo 3DS - if you are getting the PS4 you might as well get the VITA - it syncs with your console, and the PS4 only costs $400 so you would have money left over for the VITA.

 

Must have couchmaster!

 

PS4 plus PS Vita plus non-gaming laptop is still cheaper than the $1,500 gaming laptop you described

 

Get a small TV and take the console with you..

 

I already own a 3DS but use that mainly for Star Fox 3D haha! I guess console plus a regular ultrabook would be best, now PS4 or X1 is the question.

 

PS4 of course unless you play Halo.

 

Yes, definitely PS4, there are way less issues with the console than with the X1. With X1 you pay $100 more for less powerful hardware and kinect forced into your face. Sony also has better exclusives - all I see that is interesting on the X1 is Halo and Forza, meanwhile on PS4 there is Killzone, Uncharted, Gran Tourismo, God of War, etc. However, for me either console's exclusives are not convincing enough to replace my desktop as my "tv gaming console"

 

Some Alienware laptops come with hdmi in. So you could use the laptop as a portable display, or play games directly on it.

The OP plays COD MW and wants to play Ghosts, and is used to the Xbox360. (Just wanted to remind everyone.)

 

The only one that does is the 18 which is expensive and heavy.

 

Nice way to contradict yourself.

 

Not sure how I contradicted myself. I am just giving options, not saying what is best.

Also, the Alienware 17 has hdmi in. I think it would be outside his budget though, but nice to know options.

 

Yeah the 17 is not much better than the 18 in portability lol.

Dont forget an ultrabook can be used for more casual games too, great for some hearthstone.

PS4 is the best option for a casual fps fan.