GAMING CONSOLES LEVEL UP
The next generation of video game systems pulls its weight in the living room by doing much more than just playing games.

When Sony launched the PlayStation 2 back in 2000, it audaciously described the console as a comet that would wipe out the dinosaurs and supplant the PC in the home. As we all know, that didnt happen. For years now, gaming consoles have been positioned as the Trojan horses of the living room but never seemed to fully deliver on that promise. Until now.

The new generation of devices from Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony may fi nally start giving PC manufacturers a reason to worry, for real this time. These consoles will enter your home as a game machine and then insidiously infi ltrate the rest of your life. Even Nintendos latest edition offers built-in Wi-Fi and the ability to browse the Weba fi rst for a Nintendo console. So gamers, if you need to convince a spouse that its time to upgrade, you can tout all of these extra features.

For the high-end entertainment crowd, the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are being marketed as the ultimate entertainment boxes. Immersing the consumer in a video game experience is but a small part of the overall package; to entice nongamers, these boxes offer nifty functions such as music visualizers for dance parties and HD movie playback.

Though Nintendo is certainly a contender in the gaming realm, it has conceded the larger entertainment space to its rivals. The company will remain laser-focused on the game market and is perfectly happy to leave the home server market to its competitors. It is trying to win over nongamers, but through innovative games that have broader appeal, such as a game in which a player can wave the Wii remote control to conduct an orchestra.

Does this next gen of consoles actually signal the end of the PC? We dont think so; not just yet. But theyre getting there. If youre thinking of upgrading to one of the new consoles, whether its just for old-school gaming reasons or for their newfangled features, read on to find out which one makes the most sense for your household.