this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2026
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As much as I love my Linux workstations and my Steam Deck, nothing beats the simplicity of my Playstation 5 when my son wants to play a game or I want to play something too demanding for the Deck.
With a console you have nothing to set up and you have an unbeaten simplicity.
Maybe the Steam Machine will challenge this, but I think people are often forgetting how good consoles are despite costing a bit more than in the past.
Also don’t forget about physical games that you can resell if necessary.
I understand the ease of the console, I do keep around a 3Ds and Wii U I’ve hacked, a lot for emulating and just playing Nintendo in a native way, but I’m just offering another alternative. There is the convenience but PC puts so much more control over what you can do and there is so much access to open source stuff so that it can’t try to coerce you into an upgrade as easily
Both console faming and PC gaming have their advantages.
As an adult, I feel like I wouldb’t really need a console anymore.
With kids, I feel like it makes my life easier if they can just play on the Playstation under supervision.
Just FYI: An actual gaming PC setup in Big Picture mode on Steam is just as simple as any console.
There’s absolutely no chance that setting up a PC to be in big picture mode will be anywhere as easy as a console.
99% of people will be totally lost trying to set it up. It requires a lot of knowledge of Windows, Steam plus a mouse and a keyboard which are completely at odds with a living room device.
lolwut?
It literally is a button you press on the main Steam window (View>Big Picture; or rightclick the systray icon and select "Big Picture Mode") It also can go into BPM by pressing your connected controller's home button so you don't even need a mouse and keyboard. There's no setup aside from installing Steam, does not require any intimate knowledge of Windows, and just turns the interface into something easily navigated with a controller while also being scaled for a larger display sitting further away.
No setup? Driver updates? Who’s installing Windows? Does the controller use Bluetooth or a dongle? How would people know to install Steam? Does everyone have a wireless keyboard and mouse? What if they only have a DisplayPort cable? Do they have the correct HDMI cord for their GPU and TV?
A PS5 comes with everything needed in the box. Console, correct HDMI cord, compatible controller,USC cable, power cord. Plug it all in, push the power button. Controller pairs automatically when plugged in. No need to even make an account you could just quickly skip everything and put a game disk on the drive to play something without internet connection.
The PS5 requires the simplest setup. PC requires a lot more technical knowledge than you’re willing to admit.
This is in context to OP who has a Steam Deck. If they can figure out Linux, they can install Windows and Steam. Hell, they don't even need Windows! Steam also has a Linux client.
And in general, Windows is simple as fuck to get going. You literally just follow the instructions on screen for installation. Driver issues haven't been a thing for a LONG time, unless you have some weird, unheard of, or ancient legacy hardware; the OS handles it automatically. And if they don't build the machine themself, pre-built PCs come with everything in the box and the operating system already installed.
Unless you want to do something strange or unique or really technical, the bar for entry is mostly just the price of a computer vs a console; not the difficulty in setting one up.