The console's intended use is for couch-based gaming in front of the TV. She handles the challenge head-on. I find it silly when people argue endlessly online about which is better, a PC or a console. I also own a rather robust computer, so we can evaluate the two systems side by side. The console's visuals are solid; I'm not experiencing any soaps, frame rate reductions, or other anomalies. In certain games, even at 30 frames per second, there is no noticeable lag. Of sure, game prices are expensive, but what can you do? Discs, by the way, are more cost-effective than digital downloads at the store. PS Plus offers members exclusive deals and free games. However, if you're only interested in playing games, the console is your best bet. The computer was left for programming purposes and was not returned. When it comes to volume, I use discs. There is silence. It's not the drive, and it's not the console. It's a quiet worker, too.