Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro (20GB)
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"Microsoft 2.0" on by ericnn24
Pros: Developer friendly, 3 core processor, customizable face plate, free "live" network access, wireless controllers
Cons: Backwards compatiblity questionable
Summary: Where the Xbox was amazing but rough around the edges, the Xbox 360 fixes a lot of shortcomings of the original unit.
Out with the old, in with the new. Where the original was based on off the shelf middle of the road PC technology with cool graphics, the new one is based on unrelesed 3 core PowerPC technology (Interesting IBM is now manufactoring processors for all game consoles) with cutting edge graphics.
Gone are the wired controllers, although they'll still be available as an option.
The front is now customizable, which is pretty cool when you think about it.
It's the only console that will ship with a hard drive. C'mon any Xbox owner knows that hard drive is a killer feature. Not only for games, but for also ripping your own music to play in games. That Sony isn't going to include one with their basic package is HUGE mistake-- but ya gotta cut costs somewhere I guess.
Anyway, Microsoft has improved Live network support. Everyone recieves it free, and you only pay if you want to play with others. Think about it, this will be the largest FREE voice over IP network. That's pretty amazing. You're also going to be able to sell content over the network, which could be huge. And you can watch others play.
Don't even get me started on third party support. Microsoft is pulling out all stops. They've signed up so many partners that have never developed for the Xbox before, it's simply going to exciting to see what comes out of all of it.
And Microsoft is going to be first to market, which should give them a better chance against Sony.
Sony's offering looks technically superior, but when you really think about it, developers make games based on the lowest common denominator. Look at EA. How many games from EA are developed with Xbox in mind? Uh none. They'll also PS/2 based. I'm thinking all games will now be 360 based, even if they're on the PS3.
The one misstep from Microsoft is backward compatibility. They're saying the most popular games will work, but that's going to be a problem. Sony has always been backwards compatible. Nintendo, uh, not so much, but they're making up for it now I guess with the Revolution. Microsoft needs to address this.
The one area where Microsoft may make up ground is being developer friendly. Microsoft excels at operating systems and tools.
I think the 360 will be the right console at the right time, and may give Sony some serious competition -
"blu-soon??" on by offercompleted_com
Pros: established online, wireless media center extender, much more metro
Cons: 16x dvd drive would be nice. the fact that microsoft will never win any popularity contests is making it hard to ramp up public support for it's gaming division
Summary: One thing the PS3 camp has always held over the X360 is the brand new Blu-Ray drive. Since it seems new and cool, and most people just hate Microsoft by default, this has given rise to rhetoric like "the XBOX 1.5 (har har har)" and "uses the aging DVD format."
Even though the original XBOX DVD drives were 4x to 6x I was pretty disappointed when I found out that the X360 was going to have a 12x DVD-ROM drive instead of a 16x (can you even FIND a 12x drive for sale anymore?) until I found out how slow the PS3 Blu-Ray drive was going to be. In an interview with IGN a Sony spokesperson said that there was only an outside chance of the PS3 drive being 2x, and that Blu-Ray 1x = 4.5MB/s. Even at 2x (9MB/s,) it's still almost 7MB/s slower than X360's 12x DVD drive, and over 12MB/s slower than it could have been with a regular old 16x DVD drive.
Perhaps it's time to stop adding Blu-Ray to the list of PS3's credits, and time to start asking why you're being forced to swallow a new Sony-patented format with your PS3. It’s hard to agree with the point of view that Microsoft is being irresponsible by rushing the X360 to market when Sony seems to be doing the exact same thing with their console… the fact that X360 is hitting the scene first seems incidental. One would hope that Sony would add a faster Blu-Ray as soon as it's available and/or economically feasible, but what of the early adopters? Microsoft even said they might put a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD drive (if Toshiba’s format takes off) in later versions of the X360. This is probably because they want it to be the ultimate media center and would want to include high-def video playback if the public began demanding it, but in the interest of maintaining compatibility with older X360’s, it’s not likely that games would ever come on these next gen disc types.
I know how everyone likes to debate which system's hardware is better, but let's face it, both systems are about the same spec-wise. It's almost as if MS got wind of the CELL processor's specs and asked themselves, now how many G5 processors do we need to keep up with this? The CELL processor hype doesn’t exactly reek of “emotion engine,” but even hardcore PS3 supporters must have learned to take any Sony announcements with a grain of salt. I’m not sure anyone really believed that the PS3 was going to come with a 160GB laptop-style hard drive like the original spec said.
Microsoft seems to be sabotaging itself (inevitably, I suppose) by releasing these mediocre X360 launch-title game play videos while Sony is pumping out their brainwashing pre-rendered CG videos. It's a shame Microsoft felt that it had to be first-out-of-the-gates with this one, launching with what are (for the most part, anyway,) souped-up versions of games which could have been on the first XBOX. It's making it really easy for the casual consumer to conclude what they already want to believe... that PS3 will be better.
One thing the Sony camp is right about, it all comes down to exclusive titles. Personally I think there will be fewer exclusive titles in this generation because of the similarity of the hardware/performance and XBOX's continued growth in the market. Still recognizing the fact that there will be great exclusives on both sides, let's all try not bash the other guys too badly just because you love devil may cry or because you hate halo. Neither system should be voted a 1(or below 5, really)... such a baseless partisan bias should really be reserved for presidential elections.
Since I'm not especially attached to any of Sony's current exclusive franchises, I believe I'll be getting an XBOX 360. I like the fact that it comes from an American company (that's something I think people forget when they're having their little "M$" hate fests) and that it acts as a wireless windows media center extender. If Final Fantasy XIII looks really impressive, I might be forced to get a $ony P$3, too.Updated
I did just want to say a couple other things about the whole X360 vs PS3 thing. I'm really quite nervous about Microsoft's ability to ramp up support for exclusive titles in this generation. With the original XBOX Microsoft got developers to eye their console because it clearly had superior hardware, not so in the current generation. The main credit to attribute to the X360 is it's easier-to-develop-for-processor layout. Because PS3 was going to have such strong hardware, Microsoft decided that (since they couldn't possibly have a clear hardware edge and still be profitable in this generation) they would have to be the first next-gen system, in order to shore up developer and public support.
Not to say game developers can't adapt (especially if their jobs are at stake) but last week Tecmo president Junji Nakamura said (referring to the PS3) "Compared to the XBOX 360, it seems to be somewhat out of place with today's developers. I believe that it is having an influence on the skills and abilities of developers. You will have to change your way of thinking."
He also mentioned that X360 titles in development are costing about 20% more than previous generation titles his. I imagine the number will be similar for PS3 games. Looks like $59.99 games are on the way! -
"Looking Good" on by Heythere
Pros: Sleek design
Cons: Backwards compatibility is not fully confirmed yet
Summary: I was impressed by Microsoft's marketing (subtle hinting such as OurColony) and unveiling of it's XBOX 360. I'm glad the design turned out to be what it is. (I'm really unimpressed and rather shocked at the PS3 design). Back to the 360, I'm not sure of the feel yet of the controllers with the new "bumper" (shoulder) buttons since it would seem oour index fingers would naturally fit on the triggers, but I hear they (controllers) feel great. As for the technology vs PS3, I see it as being pretty-much a wash. It will come down to the games and the fun factor. With XBOX Live on X360, Microsoft provides players an experience other game consoles simply cannot. (Sidenote: I have never had an Xbox Live account, but it's clearly made an impact with gamers). One last thing..I own a PS2 and not an Xbox, but I will most certainly be owning an XBOX 360. That's my take.
Updated
Best Online-Service by a landslide (including some free basic service)
Customizable console face-plate and user-interface
Apparently very ergonomic controllers
Wireless controllers (also you can turn the XBOX 360 on and off with the controller -very cool)
backed by smart people at Microsoft -
"Xbox 360=junk" on by mce8972
Pros: I'll admit it had good graphics utill it broke
Cons: I had it for 2 days untill the hardware fried
Summary: The graphics are good, but I had it for two days and the system stopped working. I called xbox surport and they said there was something wrong with the hardware inside the xbox and I have to send it in. When I asked how long he put me on hold for 20 minutes untill he told me it would take 2 to 3 weeks to return it to my house. Just think waiting in line for 6 hours in the cold weather to have it for 2 days. Now I have 4 games, a faceplate, 3 extra wireless controllers, 3 weeks out of my xbox live subscription, plus everything included in the premium system. They should make sure it works before they charge $400 for one.
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"What junk, breaks all the time" on by JaMcKeon
Pros: Fun games, well designed controllers
Cons: ... So many expensive problems
Summary: While the games are fun and the controllers are good... the system is terrible, i've had mine for 4 months and it has broken on two seperate occassions. Now keep in mind my 360 sits on a shelf, it does not move or take any abuse. With that being said, let me get to my problems; First my power supply fried out, I was not foolish with it and even kept it near an air conditioning vent... enough said. It took me 2 weeks to get a new power supply because first Microsoft customer support sent me the wrong part. Plus the tech support beats around the bush and asks questions that don't matter to me, such as, "what games do you have", "what do you play the most". These are not questions I am very excited to answer when I am stuck with a $700 worth of plastics that's not doing anything but sitting around looking nice. Second problem I ran into was my Xbox stopped reading discs; new, old, what have you it didn't matter, my disc drive crapped out in 4 months of relatively light playing. If you don't mind dealing with problems and sending your Xbox in for costly repairs (unless you get the extended warranty... which I highly reccomend if you do buy) after paying a premium price for a gaming system that is supposed to work as advertised. Then go ahead, buy it, but don't expect it to not break, everyone I have talked to has run into problems with theirs after about 6 months.
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