Unless when you put the DLC code in, the game downloads extra content, I'm assuming the pre-order items are already in the game and can simply be acquired by typing "player.additem [base id] 1" which pretty much nullifies the point for PC gamers.

The pre-order code comes in the box and you enter it at any time during the game to add the items to your inventory.

That isn't what I mean.

What I'm referring to is, the items are most likely already in the game and despite not pre-ordering it from a specific retailer, one could simply acquire an item from that DLC pack with the console.

That would be funny. If that's the case I'd just give myself the Vault 13 canteen and pretend Vic's ghost gave it to me. Other than that I don't really care about the pre-order pack junk.

Yeah, if the items are bundled into the main esm file we should be able to get them through the console. If they're actually separate add-on files then no.

I don't think they would miss something that obvious

The content is downloaded as DLC and works just like DLC worked for Fallout 3. I doubt you will be able to add the uniques via the console without having the DLC installed but I do not doubt there will be mods for them shortly after release. Almost everything but the Canteen is already in the game with a different name and stats. Think of it this way, you cant add the Gauss Rifle to your character with the console in Fallout 3 without having Operation Anchorage installed.

There will be nothing stopping you adding a non-unique leather armor, caravan shotgun, stimpacks and binoculars right at the start though.

I think you can be 100% certain of that.

I doubt they care all that much.

Its dlc its not on the disc itself so nope. But if you have the pc version people will make copycat version of all the preorder items and about 5 billion more,