Windows PC (Various) $600 - $15,000

When it comes to pure videogame horsepower, a well appointed gaming PC will always trounce the home consoles in terms of technical and graphical prowess.

In fact, as "the cradle of innovative," PCs will sometimes sport such graphically intensive, exceedingly complex titles that they simple do not translate to the realm of "new generation" consoles, which just aren't up to the task (not unless the title is watered down, anyway). Case in point: Crysis and its expansion pack, Crysis: Warhead from EA, which is not only the most visually astounding game yet made, but one so open to multifarious approaches to accomplishing missions that it harshly taxes all but the most well-equipped gamer PCs. Crysis won't even play on your mom's budget Dell, so don't even try.

Similarly, the best-selling massively multiplayer online (MMO) game franchise, Warcraft and its expansion packs (Wrath of the Lich King is the latest), is only found on PC -- not so much for visual intensity, but for the games' heavy dependence on a keyboard and mouse for game interfacing, user/character communication and inventory management complexity.

Still, there are a few problems when it comes to offering a new PC as a holiday gift.

First, most people already have a computer, and the gamer on your gift list likely has a gamer-class computer already, so it's redundant.

Second, while you can pick up a brand new computer for, say, under $600 these days, a system that will actually play the latest high performance PC games -- or at least do them justice -- is going to cost a pretty penny or three. Hardcore PC purveyors like Falcon Northwest, for example, offer a sweet suite of righteously lauded, custom configured gaming rigs, but even the most bare bones, "budget conscious" Falcon-made computer costs some $2,200.00. Fully loaded? $15,000.00.

Not exactly a "value proposition" in these depressing economic times.

Lastly, Windows Vista has proven to be a, how do you say, "Problematic" operating system. Not totally broken, but wounded enough that fixes, patches and work-arounds, particularly on game installations, are a commonplace hassle. Though third-party drivers and software and sometimes users themselves are often at the root of many a Vista flaw, it's still Vista that ultimately fails to deliver a smooth user experience. Microsoft will be releasing a new version of Windows, Window 7, in early 2010 (or late 2009, according to some sources). The waiting is the hardest part.

Meanwhile, one of the many nice things about PCs it that they're customizable, upgradeable and expandable.

Adding or upgrading RAM is often on a PC user's mind if not wish list, and that can cost as little as $50 or $60 (but up to $1200, believe it or not). However, such an upgrade requires exact knowledge of key compatible components, so not always a "surprise" if you have to ask the make and model of the motherboard.

Okay, RAM is not a particular sexy gift, though it is practical. Fortunately, there are dozens of other PC components, peripherals and accessories that are sure to impress (and not break the bank in the process).

The Goods:
+ A well-equipped PC will have more features, functions, accessibility and horsepower than a console
+ Offers the better, more functional interface for some games/genres
+ Component upgrades boost performance without replacing the entire system
+ Does most everything a console can do and about a billion other handy tasks

The Grief:
- Gamer-grade PCs are expensive
- Windows Vista operating system can be persnickety
- Usually a single-person game system; not conducive to house-party games and the like
- Some of today's best games are found on new generation consoles only

 
 

It's true: Quality kids games are hard to find. Sure, there's lots out there, but few that are both good and genuinely kid-friendly. Fortunately, GamersGate online games portal has an entire section dedicated to quality family fare. Go ahead, check it out!