My take on the 360 Elite

Frankly, I can see WHY MS decided to bring a 'elite' model out, but
TBH it's just not worth the extra cash:

My reasoning is thus:

The inclusion of HDMI, while desirable, is actually quite useless for
all but the most demanding customers. Only 2 games use 1080p, and the
differences apparent are not that great over 720p on all but the
largest and best of screens.

In truth, the only benefit is to those wishing to play copy protected
DVDs or HD-DVDs at 1080p.

The inclusion of a 120gig hard drive is nice, but it's only really
useful to people doing a lot of movie and TV show downloading. For
MOST, the 20 gig is fine. Again, this lends one to believe MS are
positioning the Elite as a entertainment centre, rather than a games
centric offering.

Since most downloadable content does not require 1080p output or HDMI
to play, the sole reason for adding it seems to be for HD-DVD.

So really, the majority of people looking to get that model will also
be looking at the HD-DVD drive.

Here's the thing

For just $30 more, you can get a similarly wireless PS3, that has a
fully upgradeable 20gig hard drive (it can even use external memory
cards, thumb drives and hard disks), and plays Blu-Ray over HDMI out
of the box.

Sure, you don't get your HDMI cable and you have a smaller hard drive
- but it's a start.

But fairs fair, if you're going to complain I've missed those out,
then you have to consider that I've missed the HD-DVD add on out too -
so then that $30 difference becomes a $80 advantage to the $60 gig
PS3.

Throw in a cheap 360 Ethernet bridge box, and you have closer to $150
difference. An external 60 gig hard drive on the Ps3 wont cost too
much, certainly not $150 - and the AV cabling, and you still have a
much better deal for the PS3.

This really brings me to the crux here:

The PS3, as a media and entertainment centre, is considerably better
value out of the box than the 360 is.

BUT

Obviously if games are your only concern, then the 360 out of the box
is far cheaper and better value, regardless of which SKU you go for.

High capacity disks are NOT necessary for next-gen gaming, and the 360
has proven conclusively that it is a very, very capable machine
despite the perceived advantage the PS3 has.

However, the PS3 is equipped to deliver more bangs per buck as a
entertainment centre.

Personally, I can't see the point of the Elite beyond simply getting a
production line sorted before the hardware revision becomes the main
SKU for the core and premium.

I haven't included the free online with the PS3 option, simply because
I wanted to address that seprately.

"Total Annihiliation" <headbog@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
> Frankly, I can see WHY MS decided to bring a 'elite' model out, but
> TBH it's just not worth the extra cash:
>
> My reasoning is thus:


You sound like a man on a fence.

On 30 Mar, 01:17, "Brenden D. Chase"
<brenden.chaseREMOVET...@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Total Annihiliation" <head...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>
> news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
>
> > Frankly, I can see WHY MS decided to bring a 'elite' model out, but
> > TBH it's just not worth the extra cash:
>
> > My reasoning is thus:
>
> You sound like a man on a fence.

Forced to sit on it, and it's painful.
So far, since the launch of the PS3 over here I've:
1. Sat staring at different websites looking for discount codes and
offers to get a few £££ off.
2. Contacted my friend who works in a large retailer here, asking if I
can use his employee discount.
3. Pestered my girlfriend to let me buy it
4. Wandered past the store displays and stared longingly at it.
5. Watched the EBay auctions and even used Auction sniper to try and
win one at well under retail price...

But I just can't sodding afford one right now!!

It's looking like it'll be my birthday or Christmas before I'll have
the cash to get one.

That might not be such a bad thing, as there are only 2 games I'm
interested in that are out. By then, there'll be plenty.

And my Tesco.com game and DVD rental will come in handy to get some
fantastic Blu-Ray lovin going on!!

I'm kind of angry at Sony for making the thing that much more
expnesive.
Girlfriends have a power that us gaming geeks can't overcome!

"Total Annihiliation" <headbog@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1175214116.513803.107300@y66g2000hsf.googlegr oups.com...
On 30 Mar, 01:17, "Brenden D. Chase"
<brenden.chaseREMOVET...@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Total Annihiliation" <head...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>
> >news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>> > Frankly, I can see WHY MS decided to bring a 'elite' model out, but
>> > TBH it's just not worth the extra cash:
>>
>> > My reasoning is thus:
>>
>> You sound like a man on a fence.
>I'm kind of angry at Sony for making the thing that much more
>expnesive.
>Girlfriends have a power that us gaming geeks can't overcome!


Except in my case where my girlfriend is a gaming geek as well. After
searching high and low, i got one right before turkey day.

"Total Annihiliation" <headbog@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Here's the thing
>
> For just $30 more, you can get a similarly wireless PS3, that has a
> fully upgradeable 20gig hard drive (it can even use external memory
> cards, thumb drives and hard disks), and plays Blu-Ray over HDMI out
> of the box.
>
>
I think you are beginning to see the light.

On Mar 29, 11:23 pm, "khee mao" <big_bad_buddha_da...@yahoo.com>
wrote:
> "Total Annihiliation" <head...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>
> news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
>
> > Here's the thing
>
> > For just $30 more, you can get a similarly wireless PS3, that has a
> > fully upgradeable 20gig hard drive (it can even use external memory
> > cards, thumb drives and hard disks), and plays Blu-Ray over HDMI out
> > of the box.
>
> I think you are beginning to see the light.


...and it doesn't overheat while sounding like a jet intake...

"SHaKeY STeVe" <shakey.steve@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1175228856.458012.295250@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com...
> On Mar 29, 11:23 pm, "khee mao" <big_bad_buddha_da...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> "Total Annihiliation" <head...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>> > Here's the thing
>>
>> > For just $30 more, you can get a similarly wireless PS3, that has a
>> > fully upgradeable 20gig hard drive (it can even use external memory
>> > cards, thumb drives and hard disks), and plays Blu-Ray over HDMI out
>> > of the box.
>>
>> I think you are beginning to see the light.
>
>
> ..and it doesn't overheat while sounding like a jet intake...
>
>
yup.

"SHaKeY STeVe" <shakey.steve@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1175228856.458012.295250@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com...
> On Mar 29, 11:23 pm, "khee mao" <big_bad_buddha_da...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> "Total Annihiliation" <head...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>> > Here's the thing
>>
>> > For just $30 more, you can get a similarly wireless PS3, that has a
>> > fully upgradeable 20gig hard drive (it can even use external memory
>> > cards, thumb drives and hard disks), and plays Blu-Ray over HDMI out
>> > of the box.
>>
>> I think you are beginning to see the light.
>
>
> ..and it doesn't overheat while sounding like a jet intake...

Or freeze up on you while playing a game, disc read error problems (yet!) or
lock up while access your profile to send a friends request or check
messages.

On Mar 30, 7:47 am, "boodybandit" <boodyban...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> "SHaKeY STeVe" <shakey.st...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1175228856.458012.295250@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Mar 29, 11:23 pm, "khee mao" <big_bad_buddha_da...@yahoo.com>
> > wrote:
> >> "Total Annihiliation" <head...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>
> >>news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googleg roups.com...
>
> >> > Here's the thing
>
> >> > For just $30 more, you can get a similarly wireless PS3, that has a
> >> > fully upgradeable 20gig hard drive (it can even use external memory
> >> > cards, thumb drives and hard disks), and plays Blu-Ray over HDMI out
> >> > of the box.
>
> >> I think you are beginning to see the light.
>
> > ..and it doesn't overheat while sounding like a jet intake...
>
> Or freeze up on you while playing a game, disc read error problems (yet!) or
> lock up while access your profile to send a friends request or check
> messages.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Given that there are no games on the PS3 worth playing, I'm not sure
you can really make any judgement as to the launch PS3 longetivity
yet...

"SHaKeY STeVe" <shakey.steve@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1175228856.458012.295250@e65g2000hsc.googlegr oups.com...
> On Mar 29, 11:23 pm, "khee mao" <big_bad_buddha_da...@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>> "Total Annihiliation" <head...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>
>> news:1175213417.972609.90280@p77g2000hsh.googlegro ups.com...
>>
>> > Here's the thing
>>
>> > For just $30 more, you can get a similarly wireless PS3, that has a
>> > fully upgradeable 20gig hard drive (it can even use external memory
>> > cards, thumb drives and hard disks), and plays Blu-Ray over HDMI out
>> > of the box.
>>
>> I think you are beginning to see the light.
>
>
> ..and it doesn't overheat while sounding like a jet intake...


But will the PS3 be able to play Mass Effect, Bioshock, Halo 3, or any of
the other big Xbox exclusives coming out this year? No, then who cares how
quiet it is since the people here who bought an Xbox 360 bought it for the
games that are available or that are coming out for it. And who cares if it
plays Blu-Ray, don't most people who buy game consoles buy it for
games/gaming?