Why Buy a Console When You Can Have a PC?

These builds are all equal to the console prices.

 

PS4: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1ees0

 

Xbox One: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1eemd

 

Wii U: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1eezG

For one you buy a console because they have custom game engines with features you won't get on pc. Sure game companies could write one for pc but it won't exactly work the same since the console engine is specially designed for the fixed hardware. Less headache also for them to debug for all the types of choices in the pc market.

I only see people buying consoles for exclusives or they just don't wan't to spend time learning about computers. 

There is the social experience. I have an Xbox 360, but I only play it when I have company. I only have one friend with a gaming pc, the rest of them only use their computer for word, email, excel, etc. Not only that, but there is something to be said for playing on the couch on the same screen as everyone else. 

Also the wii u, as with most of the newer nintendo platforms, is a completely different experience. THe nintendo games are mostly just aimed at having fun and the control set is completely different. It is a lot less serious.

The question I have is how they compare in performance.  I'm assuming these builds perform quite a bit worse as they're sold at a loss.

In other words, game consoles are designed, in part, fit into so many environments, everthing from families to friend meet-ups to even certain clinical settings, to the point where gaming is secondary. All of this, of course, at a reasonable price point. 

Eerrrmm i'd rather buy a console than a Intel Pentium G860 3.0GHz Dual-Core pc!!

These are some poor balanced systems a gtx 660 with a pentium?

You can get a much better system than these.

if i had $500 to throw away this is probably what i'd buy http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1eqki

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.98 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($49.99 @ Microcenter)

Memory: GeIL Pristine 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.49 @ Outlet PC)

Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Microcenter)

Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($41.73 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $496.16

I love my PC, don't get me wrong, but I'm one of only, like, 3 people I know who play games primarily on PC, so I have my ps3 for games like Borderlands 2 so I can play with my brother, etc. Plus, since I have it, I might as well grab the exclusives too. I'm particularly enjoying The Last of Us at the moment.

These are horrible builds

 

Exclusives... same room multiplayer... cheaper in the short run.

Don't get me wrong though, I'm PC for my money.  I just keep some old consoles around for nostalgia and for when I have people over.