Sony PlayStation 3 Slim (160GB)

Pros: - At $249, it's priced very competitively
- Blu-Ray player
- HUGE library of exclusive AAA games
- FREE multi-player & online gaming

Cons: - XBOX Live is still a better service than PSN (Keeping in mind that you have to pay extra for XBOX Live whereas PSN is free)

Summary: If you're a hardcore gamer or simply interested in playing Blu-Ray movies, then you owe it to yourself to pick up a PlayStation3.

HARDWARE:
The fact of the matter is that Sony really knows how to make good hardware and the PS3 is no exception.

It's been 5 years since the PS3 was first released and we're still seeing developers squeeze more juice out of it and produce some of the best and most impressive looking games on the market.

The PS3 is also the only game console to play bluray movies. Sure, there are better dedicated blu-ray players out there on the market but given the value that you get (i.e. being able to play games, movies, music, PSN, Netflix, etc.), the PS3 is still the best bang for your $$$.

SOFTWARE:
Uncharted, God of War, Killzone, Resistance, LittleBigPlanet, Infamous, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, Heavy Rain...the list goes on and on. But what do all these games have in common? They're all AAA exclusive games that cannot be found on any other platform but the PS3. And all you're favorite multi-platform games like Call of Duty, Battlefield, Grand Theft Auto, Batman Arkham City, Red Dead Redemption, etc. can also be found on the PS3 + you can plan them online for free (whereas you on xbox Live you have to pay a monthly fee to be able to play online).

Whether you own an xbox 360, a wii, or no consoles at all, there really is no excuse left not to pick up a PS3.