Is it difficult to decide whether to choose Sony PS3 or Microsoft’s Xbox 360? Well let me hint you that as rumors of price drops and pack-in reconfiguring whirl ahead of E3, how are things stacking up between Sony’s PS3 and Microsoft’s Xbox 360? Here’s the latest breakout chart of comparison, check it out…if you are a true-gamer.
- Hard-Drive: The PS3 hard drive is user-swappable for anything that meets the standard laptop 2.5-inch SATA spec. 2.5-inch SATA 500GB hard drives retail for between $70 and $90. The Xbox 360 uses proprietary Microsoft-enclosed hard drives and won’t allow upgrades beyond 250GB.
- Wireless Chip: The PS3 uses an internal 802.11b/g wireless chip, while the Xbox 360′s external USB wireless adapter offers the more recent 802.11n spec.
- HDMI Connection: The PS3′s HDMI connection offers the 1.3a spec, which yields higher data transfer speeds, a new expanded color format called “Deep Color,” automatic audio syncing (lip syncing), and Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio support. The Xbox 360 supports the older HDMI spec 1.2. In practice, the only functional difference given current TV and broadcast limitations would be the Dolby/DTS-HD spec, and then only in relation to lossless, uncompressed audio situations, such as Blu-ray video playback. For more on this, see here.
- Arcade Games: The Xbox 360 Arcade comes with 5 arcade games, while the Xbox 360 Elite is available in two $400 bundle configurations–one with Splinter Cell: Conviction, another with Final Fantasy XIII, which costs $60 each if purchased separately. The Elite bundles also include a 250GB hard drive instead of 120GB, and two wireless controllers instead of one.
- Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Silver membership: Both Xbox 360 models [Arcade, Elite] come with Microsoft’s Xbox LIVE Silver membership, which basically allows you to create a Gamertag and message friends. If you want Netflix, Facebook, Twitter, and online multiplayer support, you’ll have to upgrade to Xbox LIVE Gold, which costs $50 a year, e.g. $250 for five years. The PS3 currently offers online services including competitive multiplayer at no additional cost though a “premium” service may be in the offing.
- Pricing: Some retailers sell refurbished systems for considerably less money. GameStop, for instance, sells a 40GB PS3 refurbished for $250, a 120GB PS3 with God of War III for $374.97, a model bundled with accessories for $379.97, and an 80GB PS3 refurbished for $270. Factor accordingly if you’re shopping the used market.
Tags: 250gb hard drive, 360 models, dolby dts, dolby truehd, final fantasy xiii, functional difference, lip syncing, message friends, multiplayer support, silver membership, splinter cell conviction, usb wireless adapter, Video Playback, wireless chip, wireless controllers, Xbox 360, xbox 360 elite, xbox 360 vs ps3, xbox live