I might be getting a 360 here within the next 6 months. Which SKU should i be looking at?

I dont have an HDTV, so i wont be getting much out of the elite. And no, i wont buy the elite just so i have it when i do upgrade my TV. (never, or when my current TV dies, whichever comes first)

the Arcade looks to be in my price range, but the 256MB ram has me worried. Also, does it come with a HDD? if so, is 20 gigs enough? I really only plan to purchase a few games (GTA4, GH, or Rock band, maybe a FPS). And as far as DLC goes, i wont bother with it. I am a cheap ass who refuses to pay $10 for a game made back in the 80s.

XBL:
the whole $50, i am not sure if i agree with. is it worth it?

I also hear the prices might come down again before xmas. should i wait?

it has 256mb memory I thought not ram .... The 20 Gig is only for Xbox-360 Premium

Definately get a SKU with the hard drive - if you get Live you will at least be able to download free demo's/movies, which wouldn't fit on a memory card.

With regards to Live, I think if you have a 360, but dont take it online, you are not getting the full potential of the system. But then again, every new 360 comes with one month free trial, so you can see if you like it and if its worth your $50.

Get the 20G one. The only difference between it and an Elite is the 120G hard drive and the color. They both have HDMI. You'll want to get more out of your games and a lot are now requiring install like activities to your hard drive. You won't be sad. :grin:

Just don't get a PS3. I have both and the 360 eats it in every way. PSN is free because they realistically couldn't get anyone to pay for it. LIVE is the way forward!

I might be getting a 360 here within the next 6 months. Which SKU should i be looking at?

I dont have an HDTV, so i wont be getting much out of the elite. And no, i wont buy the elite just so i have it when i do upgrade my TV. (never, or when my current TV dies, whichever comes first)

the Arcade looks to be in my price range, but the 256MB ram has me worried. Also, does it come with a HDD? if so, is 20 gigs enough? I really only plan to purchase a few games (GTA4, GH, or Rock band, maybe a FPS). And as far as DLC goes, i wont bother with it. I am a cheap ass who refuses to pay $10 for a game made back in the 80s.

XBL:
the whole $50, i am not sure if i agree with. is it worth it?

I also hear the prices might come down again before xmas. should i wait?

If you are set on a 360 I would agree with the 6th degree, go with the Premium SKU $349.99 US. As it has the 20GB HDD. The Arcade ($279.99) will only get you a 256MB mem card. Some of the Live arcade games are really good (geometry wars, pac-man Championship Edt, Uno) for cheap fun they can be good value but others are crap and should be avoided. If you want any of the DLC (GTA4 expansion, GH & Rockband songs) then a HDD is almost completely necessary. The HDD will also allow you to rip music so you can listen to your own music in any game. If you don't buy one when you get the system then you'll be needing one within a year's time. Invest now cause a new 20GB is $90 later.

If you ever want to play online on 360 then you'll have to bite the bullet and pay for LIVE. LIVE is worth it if you'll play enough to get your $50 out of it. As stated you'll get a free month of Live with the console so use the most of it and go from there. To play on Live you'll need an ethernet cable to run to your router, which was included in my Premium set (if anyone knows different please post) or if you have to play wirelessly you'll want/need the wireless network adapter $99.99. Now you can connect to Live. Putting up with the annonying brats online takes some getting used to. If you want to voice chat you'll need a headset included with the Premium or $19.99 extra if you get an Arcade.

Prices will inevitably drop sometime before xmas, the 360 may drop twice this year. I expect one before GTAIV and one in Oct/Nov. I can't gurantee it but this has to be the year the Arcade 360 hits $200. So the Premium should be sub $300. Maybe $250 but probably $280. So wait till November, if you can hack it Black Friday (sad I'm thinking about NOV already) could net you a serious sweet deal.

As it stands currently
Arcade SKU
279.99 (console) + 89.99 (HDD) + 19.99 (Headset) + 99.99 (network adapter)+ $49.99(Live) + 19.99 (Battery pack (see next post))= $559.95

Premium 20GB
349.99 + 99.99 (network adapter) + $49.99 (LIVE) + 19.99 (Battery pack (see next post))= $519.97

Elite 120GB
449.99 + 99.99 (network adapter) + $49.99 (LIVE) + 19.99 (Battery pack (see next post))= $619.97

Don't forget to add $50 for every year of LIVE. 50 x 3 years = $150 instead of just 49.99.

Just don't get a PS3. I have both and the 360 eats it in every way. PSN is free because they realistically couldn't get anyone to pay for it. LIVE is the way forward!

If you look at the totals I give and compare to a PS3 then there is little difference. The barrier to entry on 360 is lower but they get you with all the add-ons that are needed to get everything out of your system. It is a BIG money sink over a longer period of time. Looking at it know in hindsight I realize how much money I've had to put in.

@Swollen Beef
If you don't have one (sorry you said you're cheap) I'd suggest you compare this with PS3 as you may get just as much value from buying a 40GB PS3 ($399.99). As it has WIFI networking out of the box and no annual subscription fee for online. The PS3 controllers have an internal rechargable battery unlike 360 which requires AA or what I would recomend a battery pack (tack on $20 to those 360 totals).

Remember my totals don't even include games or extra controllers. The games you list are on PS3. Make a wise decision as you may save now but if you need all the bells and whistles just to get a 360 to do what you want you may be paying out more than you need to.

But... The Live experience is so much better on LIVE. PSN is free but not near as good. I would go with the Premium SKU. You should also think about the exclusive games on either system. You want Halo & Gears? Get a 360. You want MGS4? Get a PS3.

But... The Live experience is so much better on LIVE. PSN is free but not near as good. I would go with the Premium SKU. You should also think about the exclusive games on either system. You want Halo & Gears? Get a 360. You want MGS4? Get a PS3.

I'm merely offering him all the information to make a wise choice. LIVE is $50, PSN is free. Just the facts. I don't have a PS3 so I can't say as to PSN's online service but Live is great, I'll agree. However, SwollenBeef also said he isn't so keen on paying for online gaming. The games SwollenBeef mentioned are not exclusives, so he is able to get them on PS3 as well. He is also looking to make the most of the money he spends so I concluded that HE compare the cost of buying both a 360 and PS3, then decide which is right for his needs. As it may be comparable or cheaper to go with a PS3.

I might be getting a 360 here within the next 6 months. Which SKU should i be looking at?

I dont have an HDTV, so i wont be getting much out of the elite. And no, i wont buy the elite just so i have it when i do upgrade my TV. (never, or when my current TV dies, whichever comes first)

the Arcade looks to be in my price range, but the 256MB ram has me worried. Also, does it come with a HDD? if so, is 20 gigs enough? I really only plan to purchase a few games (GTA4, GH, or Rock band, maybe a FPS). And as far as DLC goes, i wont bother with it. I am a cheap ass who refuses to pay $10 for a game made back in the 80s.

XBL:
the whole $50, i am not sure if i agree with. is it worth it?

I also hear the prices might come down again before xmas. should i wait?

Id go with a Prem. $349.99 and you get all the basics covered. Wireless controller, Ethernet cord, mic, Harddrive, HD cables(for when you get your HDTV down the line) and the console itself. 20gbs is plenty.

Xbox Live is most definitely worth it. Look to spend about $450 max on the day you get your stuff. $350 for the unit and $100 for games/accessories. Get yourself a year of Xbox Live, a play and charge kit, and some games.

Well the reason i am such a jew with my money when it comes to DLC, and other crap is that i have been a PC gamer for 8 years now. My consoles got their fair share in, but it stopped at the PS2. The fact that i see i have to pay a shit ton for all this extra crap has me agitated. But, all my friends play on consoles.
the PS3 does look sexy, but i just cant give up that kind of money on a console. Then you figure the first born you have to give up for a controller...
(Just looked at the PS3 price) $399 is decent, but if Sony can knock off another $50, then i (40gb unit) then i think i will be going that way.

Looking at the numbers, it seems that the PS3 will be cheaper in the long run.
I dont care too much for the FPS on consoles, (does not mean i wont buy one though). But give me the ability to hook up a keyboard and mouse to the bitch, and you will have a new customer.

going back to the PS3 price, i did not know it dropped that much. I might have to look in Sony's direction now.'



edit:

Thank you everyone who contributed. You really have helped me in figuring out which console i should be spending more time looking at.

Seriously, if you are going to get one console, the 360 is the choice. Like the Morganator above, I have both and the 360 wins hands down on everything. It really does have better games.

The controller is better, well designed and fits comfortably into human hands.

The games are the same and in most circumstances are better on the 360.

You will spend hours downloading annoying updates and installing games on the PS3

PSN is like something from the dark ages in comparison to Xbox Live.

Meeting people on live and interacting with them with the headset is briliant. The PS3 makes it almost impossible to play with friends and most of the games don't come with the ability to speak to people or even play with friends.

Get the 20gig SKU. It is well worth the extra 50 bucks

Why do you always have to make every topic you can a ps3 vs. 360 puddle and the morganator? Swollen beef just asked about advice and you just have to paint a dark picture of the competitor:undecided:?

It's an insecurity complex.

Anyways, TC, either get the Premium or the Elite, the online, to pay, maybe worth it depending on what games you play and how you prefer to play them.

For choosing between an Elite or a Premium, it depends on whether you're going to be downloading and keeping a lot of demos or not.

As for comparing Live to PSN.

You're paying what, $50 a year for what is basically just the convenience of game invites and what else?

PSN isn't that great, but it's hardly the dark ages, the only problem is messeging people ingame, which only some games allow so far, so you have to wait till in game XMB. If you have that, and COD4 PSN online as it is, you don't need anything else.

And I don't see why you losers had to bring the PS3 into this, seeing as how TC was only asking about the 360, you people really do have an inferioty complex about your piece of plastic compared to my piece of plastic, how sad can you get?

easily the pro bundle for the 360, thats what i have and its awesome :)

If you have, or know someone who has a membership card, might i suggest checking here:

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=356475&pCatg=6109

It's an insecurity complex.

And I don't see why you losers had to bring the PS3 into this, seeing as how TC was only asking about the 360, you people really do have an inferioty complex about your piece of plastic compared to my piece of plastic, how sad can you get?



Emophia thank you for the personal attack. Your thoughts are always well presented, fair and balanced like fox news.

By the way, I have both "pieces of plastic", and I was merely responding to another post. I certainly don't have an "inferioty" about either of them, whatever that is.

Thanks again:thumbsup:

And I don't see why you losers had to bring the PS3 into this, seeing as how TC was only asking about the 360, you people really do have an inferioty complex about your piece of plastic compared to my piece of plastic, how sad can you get?

I mentioned the PS3 only because SwollenBeef is tight with his money. Paying for Live will cost him more in the long run (50 x 3or4 years), he doesn't seem overly concerned with exclusives (Halo, Gears, Mass Effect, Bioshock, etc) and the games he wants are available for both PS3 and 360.

Just because he wanted to know about buying a 360 doesn't mean it's wrong to suggest he compare it to PS3. If the 360 is his best choice then it should come out on top in a direct comparison anyway. Telling him which console to buy doesn't guarentee it will best suit him but allowing him to weigh his options means he'll make a better decision that he'll be more pleased with.

I have a 360, a Wii, a PS2, and I plan on getting the MGS4 bundle. What do I care which system he buys? I'm more concerned that he's satisfied with his purchase. Either way it's up to him, I was merely giving him all the information I could.

I mentioned the PS3 only because SwollenBeef is tight with his money. Paying for Live will cost him more in the long run (50 x 3or4 years), he doesn't seem overly concerned with exclusives (Halo, Gears, Mass Effect, Bioshock, etc) and the games he wants are available for both PS3 and 360.

Just because he wanted to know about buying a 360 doesn't mean it's wrong to suggest he compare it to PS3. If the 360 is his best choice then it should come out on top in a direct comparison anyway. Telling him which console to buy doesn't guarentee it will best suit him but allowing him to weigh his options means he'll make a better decision that he'll be more pleased with.

I have a 360, a Wii, a PS2, and I plan on getting the MGS4 bundle. What do I care which system he buys? I'm more concerned that he's satisfied with his purchase. Either way it's up to him, I was merely giving him all the information I could.

sorry but does your argument about the costs really make sense?I don´t know what the systems cost in the usa but ove here in europe the 360 is sill 150 euros cheaper than the cheapest ps3 model and for these 150euros you save when getting a 360 you can play online for a couple of years ;)

In the long run they end up costing about the same, what it really boils down to is which exclusives you want to play- Gears and Halo or MGS and Ratchet?

sorry but does your argument about the costs really make sense?I don´t know what the systems cost in the usa but ove here in europe the 360 is sill 150 euros cheaper than the cheapest ps3 model and for these 150euros you save when getting a 360 you can play online for a couple of years ;)

:undecided:Which 360 model? Here in Canada/US
Arcade 279.99
Premium 349.99
Elite 449.99
40 GB PS3 399.99

There's very little difference in price. As I said before $50/year for Live and
if you want/need a wireless network adapter for a 360 then you can add $100 to every total. 3 years of Live $150 + nework adapter $100 = $250. With that additional cost even the Arcade SKU becomes a $500 console.

If you're looking for a 360 I think the premium/pro really is a no-brainer. It's got pretty much everything you need out of the box (besides the play-and-charge kit) and a month free Xbox Live so you can see if it's worth it. I really dont think the elite is anywhere near worth the extra $100, it's like $1 per 1GB. Also it's damn ugly in black.