Great reviews (I haven't read the MySims review yet tho). I only would have to disagree with much of the beginning of the PS3 review with the Xbox 360 comparisons. The PS3 might be quieter than the first batch of Xbox 360's, but the current batch of Xbox 360's have been running just as quiet as the PS3, if not quieter. Also, the current batch of Xbox 360's have been running even cooler than the PS3. My cousin recently purchased a new Xbox 360 (manufacture date 9/27/2007) and has it next to his PS3. In our testing and experiments, the PS3 was a tad louder, especially when running a blu-ray movie. Also, the PS3, after about 20 minutes of game time really cranked up the fan noise, and the air blowing out the vents was extremely hot. After gaming on both machines for the same periods of time, the Xbox 360 was running quieter and cooler. The PS3 however, does have that slick cd slot and touch power buttons, though that comes at a price. We also had Madden 08 on both machines, and the 360 was clearly much better looking, and much smoother.
So, fortunately, it appears MS has solved those issues and even bettered them. Finally, those that claim the Xbox 360 is cheaper than the PS3, are correct, even when you consider the Blu-Ray drive.
The PS3 is $499 and $599. Once you add the $249.00 Windows Media Center Extender, the $19.99 head set, the $24.99 non universal remote, the $19.99 component/hdmi cable, you have a total price of $912.97 for the 80gb, and $812.97 for the 60gb. If one were to purchase the Xbox 360 Elite for $479, and then add the $179 HD-DVD addon, the total is $658.00. For $658.00, that already includes a free universal remote, a free headset, a free component and hdmi cable, and the windows media center extender hardware/software. Not to mention, you also get an additional 40gb of HDD space over the 80gb PS3. If you went with the Xbox 360 premium, it's even a bigger margin. $528 for the Xbox 360 Premium vs. $812.97 for the 60gb PS3. And to top it off, the Xbox 360 has the most games, currently has the best line up of games, and without question, has the best online service.
Those that argue that the Windows Media Center extender shouldn't be included in the price debate can argue all they want. Fact remains, it's in there, and the PS3 doesn't have the ability to connect to a Windows Media Center PC and act as an extender for the millions and millions of PC's out there running Windows Media Center. The Xbox 360 is an excellent DVR out of the box. If you do want to take out the MCE extender, the Xbox 360 STILL comes out to be less expensive even after you purchase the HD-DVD add-on.
My money is on digital download content in the near future, not Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.
This post was edited by AWBrian on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 13:02.
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