This is a comparison of the Xbox One console to a mid-range gaming PC. I will include advantages of both platforms and try to dispel some of the myths associated with gaming PCs.

Xbox One

Purchase Price

• $280 to $500 depending on model
• Includes controller
• Some models include Kinect

Recurring Costs

• $59.99 per year Xbox Live subscription

Advantages

• Kinect games and voice control out of the box (with Kinect)
• Ease of use and minimal assembly required
• Some exclusive games not available on PC
• Easier multiplayer on a single console in many games

Gaming PC

Purchase Price

• $500 for just the computer
• $25 to $50 for a good gaming keyboard and mouse combo
• $100 for a copy of Windows
• Here is an example $500 PC build. The hardware included out-performs the current gen consoles by a significant margin.
• Note: Most people need a PC or laptop, even if they own an Xbox. The Xbox price can be looked at as an additional expense over the cost of a regular consumer-level PC.

Recurring Costs

• None

Advantages

• Smoother gameplay, nicer-looking textures and effects, and higher resolutions.
• Significantly faster load times.
• Larger amount of exclusive games, both indie and mainstream. Many exclusives are PC-only because they simply can't be done on console. Games like Total War, Starcraft, World of Warcraft, and Civilization. Console exclusives, on the other hand, are usually console-only for no reason other than to get people to buy console A instead of console B.
• PCs have more game discounts and sales. DLC is sometimes cheaper or free.
• Play older games and emulate nearly any console game prior to the PS3 or Xbox 360 (including arcade emulators).
• You can use Xbox One, 360, PS3, PS4, and other console controllers, or any of the many high-quality controllers from brands like Logitech.
• You can do PC-only tasks, such as graphics, audio, and video editing, word processing, spreadsheets, homework, programming, and development.
• Fast gaming PCs are also fast in other areas PCs are used for (near-instant web browser loading, fast image/video processing, etc).
• You can multitask better on a gaming PC (watch a movie while browsing the Internet, have a document open while playing a game, etc). Alt-tab into and out of games instantly.
• You can attach multiple TVs and monitors to a PC easily and customize how they're used. AMD Eyefinity and Nvidia Surround allow supported games to function seamlessly across several displays.
• You can use game mods to change the way games are played or add content for free. Steam Workshop allows for simple installation with reviews and ranking. Skyrim alone has over 20,000 mods, which can be activated with a single click.
• PCs have more storage capacity and can be outfitted with much more. 3 and 4 terabyte hard drives are inexpensive and most computer cases can handle 4 or more hard drives without trouble.
• Complex user interfaces can be done better on PC. This leaves many amazing RTS and strategy games PC-only.
• For the Call of Duty lovers: You can play every version of Call of Duty, from Call of Duty 1 to Ghosts, on one machine, with significantly better visuals, faster load times, a larger online community, and no subscription to play online.
• The mouse and keyboard is a more precise and effective input method. PC gamers destroy console gamers in first-person shooter matches.

PC Gaming Myths

• Myth: "You have to upgrade a PC all the time." PCs can be upgraded to increase performance, allowing better visuals and performance in all areas. This is optional however, and even a non-upgraded PC can play new games 5 years down the road at medium settings. Medium settings are often similar to Xbox One settings.
• Myth: "You can't share or sell PC games." Somewhat true for PC games and becoming more and more true of console games. However, some platforms, such as Steam, do allow sharing of PC games between accounts. Steam accounts can also be moved between PCs and the game library will follow (you can't use the same account at the same time though).
• Myth: "Gaming PCs are $1,500 or $2,000!" A gaming PC can be anywhere from $500 to $5,000 (or more). The sky is the limit. In terms of gameplay performance, you get diminishing returns the higher you go. It's analogous to automobiles. A $10k car can do a 1/4 mile in 17 seconds. A $20k car can do it in 15 seconds. A $30k car can do it in 13 seconds. A $100k car can do it in 12 seconds. And to get to 10 seconds, you'll need a million dollars. The $600 PC I showed above is more than sufficient for most people, and will handily out-perform the Xbox One.