Maxwell Thelen

I have had an xbxox 360 for some time and have had the opportunity to play with a ps3 that my brother has.  While trying to compare which one was better or which one to recommend to a friend who was looking to decide between the two I came to the conclusion that gaming systems are not just for gamers anymore.  Instead they have become “home entertainment devices.” For instance, both devices play DVDs, mp3s and CDs – already they have incorporated what used to take 2 or 3 devices.  As far as grabbing a competitive advantage the ps3 will play blu-ray movie, which is the next generation in high video quality entertainment.  However,  I believe that the xbox360 grabs the edge in that it has netflix with instant streaming integrated into it.  Of  course, this is an additional service you have to pay for, but with plans for less than $10.00 a month that include unlimited streaming it is a steal compared to options of the past.  The xbox360 also more seamlessly connects to and plays media files from your computer on your network.  While the ps3 has this functionality, sony is at the disadvantage of not being able to build it into your computer’s operating system, which makes it easier for Average Mom and Average Dad to use it with their windows PC.  Price is also an issue, ps3s still hover around $400 – and what you are paying for is that proprietary sony blu-ray technology, while you get get an xbox with a hard drive for around $250.  As far as networking ps3 offers free online gaming and includes and integrated wireless card. Still, any self-respecting gamer or video-streamer, for that matter, is going to want a wired connection (unless you are running draft-n, which the ps3 doesn’t)  As far as gaming, the xbox live $4.00 and some change a month, despite the cost, is more preferable from my perspective as connections are consistently better, and its not necessary to play media from around your home network.  As far as games that gets too far into taste and preferences, I’ll leave that to others.  Either way you look at it though, its not just about gamers anymore, when deciding which console to get you have to figure how it fits into your enterainment system and if you want everything the questions is 360 and a bluray player or ps3 and a roku box?

V/R
Max