It's true, there is a severe amount of value in using a PC, but my main point is that as an alternative for a game that is DRM heavy, if it has a console version, you could go with the console version and it wouldn't be too expensive, compared to if you were only a console gamer and had to get a PC to play a game.
While I can see that not everyone would be able to afford it , I can also see that a PC does offer higher value, but a console like the PS3 or Xbox 360 really are home entertainment systems as opposed to just video game consoles. The ability to play music through them, as well as movies, etc, really turns them from just being game consoles to home theatre pieces. You could spend $300 on a Microsoft DVR w/ Media connections, or just get a console for the same price and have the ability to play games.
Plus, I like to play games with other people, in the room. Games like Rockband, Guitar Hero, and recent beat 'em ups, all promote family time by having co-operative play locally. Now a lot of people might say 'The Wii is the ultimate family machine!' which it is fairly friendly with all the easy to play Wii-games (sports, fit, play, carnival games, etc..), but It is lacking in playing movies, music, and other home theatre things, which to me really says that the Wii is a one trick pony. It is a rather nice trick and I wouldn't say it isn't current Gen by any means, but it is lacking in comparison to the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3.
Now there will always be a console VS personal computer war, always, just like the consoles will always be fighting internally and the PC is a unified sort of platform.
But, a PC will not ever be the center of a home entertainment system. It will be in the same home as a console, and etc, and they may link up and it will help the home entertainment system through forms of content delivery, but it will never reach the level that the current generation of consoles have.
EDIT:
tl;dr consoles have taken over the living rooms, so there is value to a console beyond games, just like there's value to a PC beyond games, but they're different kinds of value.

This is the stupidest argument, ever. Consoles v. PC's is a moot point. Consoles are a great alternative if you don't keep your pc up to date.
Yes, certain genres don't translate to the console very well. Yes, the mouse controls better than a thumbstick. But a 400 dollar console is still an excellent alternative to a $1000-2000 gaming rig.
The idea of the tv and whatnot is also moot. Most people already have them, so it's not an additional purchase that should be accounted for.
this discussion should only celebrate bethesda for making the decision NOT to include intrusive DRM into their guaranteed blockbuster game. not having a petty and worthless "argument."

as true, and as virtuous as your words are, did they really need to bump a thread that's 8 days old? (read, 8 days since the last post)

Internet checks are nonsense. If the game you are playing is a single-player adventure, there is no valid reason why the game should go on the internet to validate. What I miss are the simple days of perhaps installation with a CD-Key (no online nonsense!) followed by an official No-CD patch. That's what says "Smooth installation and play" to me.

If only companies actually cared for their customers. Nowadays, It about "Fighting Piracy!!!!!" rather than actually serving your customers. Especially EA.

Except they are NOT fighting piracy. Pirates are actually enjoying their games without any form of DRM. It's us - paying customers - that have to deal with malware installed on our machines.

didn't notice the timestamp, just that it was listed very near the top.
but with online verification, i'll take an initial one. i'm willing to make a small compromise until DRM free becomes the norm.

I agree with this completely.
I can live with an activation requirement, but I'd rather live without it.
For MP games, it does make sense for the game to have an activation requirement b/c -- duh, you need the Net to play! :P

Not having the internet at home and even out of principal I can not live with internet activation. Its the thought of having to beg to be allowed to run something I have paid for and the fact that the publisher can drop support for the product at any time that really greats on me.
For MP games played over the Internet its not such a big deal because as you said they need to go online anyway but that still presents a problem if the publisher goes under and the product can not be validated. MP games played over a LAN or in skirmish mode should be activation free as there is no guarantee of net connectivity.
As for MMO's I have no problems with these needing activation as without the main servers the game client is useless anyway.
In summary
Single player - no activation
MP over LAN - no activation
MP over Internet - Maybe have activation, although I would still not be happy about it as the publisher could pull support at any time
MMO - Activation no problem.

Previously I wouldn't mind a one-time activation either when you first install a game.
Then I read about how MSN music is shutting down their DRM servers. Then Yahoo. Then Walmart, which in the end, overturned its own decision. You can't play any music which you have previously bought. Or play it at a reduced quality due to re-encoding.
Now I'm not so sure how I feel about online activation. Sure I can download a patch to remove such needs, but that effectively makes me a criminal. So if I am a criminal even after I buy a game legitimately, what's the incentive for me not to go all the way in the first place?
Install limits are worse! I think DRM with installation limits kills off the resale market for that game. I mean, will you buy a 2nd hand game with only 1 or 2 installs left? Who would buy that? I have bought many games from other gamers, and have sold off some of mine too. So if the 2nd hand market is killed off, there will be more people who will buy a new copy, thus increasing the sales.
For me, any game with install limits will be a no go, no matter how much I want it. I bought the Spore Creature Creator which has SecuROM, but not Spore, because of the install limit. Mass Effect also is a no-go. I'm so sad to be unable to play these games.
Online activation is more of a grey area right now.
CD checks is not much of a problem.
DRM-free is a God-send. I have bought a number of DRM-free games that I am not sure how I am going to play it all. :P

Opps, sorry for the "-1 point" thing I was trying to use the scroll wheel on my mouse and accidently clicked a -'ve button that appeared.
Anyone know how to undo that click?
Edit: If somebody just gives post 56 above a +'ve rate will that unhide it and fix my mistake?
Thanks

LoL! No worries dude.. :)