So I'm buying an xbox...

[Flash Walken]

Futureshop has an XBox360 bundle right now for $300. Includes Gears of War and Unreal Tournament 3. 20 gig hd.

I want to buy this.

However, I read this is to make room for the new 60gig pro's that they are going to bring in.

My question is this:

If, by buying this 20 gig 360 pro now, will I regret it later?

Are the new ones going to have Bluray etc in them that I'll be cursing my Xbox for not having?

This seems like a solid deal to me.

Also, what is the cost of xbox live?

[Human Torch]

-next dashboard update you can install games to the hdd to get rid of load times....so if that's appealing to you get the bigger drive

-no blurays built in...possibly an add on like the hd-dvd drive but it's unlikely

-cost of live is around $50/year

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Human Torch

-next dashboard update you can install games to the hdd to get rid of load times....so if that's appealing to you get the bigger drive

-no blurays built in...possibly an add on like the hd-dvd drive but it's unlikely

-cost of live is around $50/year

as in, download and install them...like steam?

[HOOT]

Good luck I hope you have better luck then I have had with them.

[HotHotHeat]

I'd consider an 80 gig PS3. They just dropped the price of the 80 gb to $399. It comes with bluray compatibility, a movie download service (just launched at E3) and the gaming network is free.

If you're thinking about getting it for bluray, the $100 between this system and an xbox is less than the bluray add on would be...If MS ever decided to do that.

[McG]

well, i am a fan of the 360 and i saw this deal too.

i really like that i can use the 360 as a media extender to my tv. it works great!

regarding the 20 gb drive...yah i looked at that too. on the one that i have now...i have about 5 gb free as i auto download all of the demos on xbox arcade and live. i try them...and then i delete them or buy them. it works great.

i believe i pay $60 a year for xbox live...and its worth every cent to me and i don't use it as much as some.

regarding the bluray thing...you need to decide if that is the most important thing. right now, the 360 has way more games on it than the ps3...in fact the ironic thing is that this is the exact opposite thing from the last generation when the original xbox was technically superior to the ps2, but the ps2 had way more games for it. now it is different...although i wouldn't say that the 360 is necessarily behind the times because it isn't.

one reason that i would also hold off on the old 360 is to get the new chipset that is due out. this is supposed to end the red ring of death that really sucks.

i would look at the exclusive games on each platform, and make a decision from there.

but i love my 360 and as i say i will likely be picking up another one as a media extender...which means that this 20gb drive will be fine for me.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

My question is this:

If, by buying this 20 gig 360 pro now, will I regret it later?

Are the new ones going to have Bluray etc in them that I'll be cursing my Xbox for not having?

This seems like a solid deal to me.

Also, what is the cost of xbox live?

If you plan on downloading and holding a lot of info on the drive, I would wait for the newer 60GB. Some people chew through HD space, and its not as easy to upgrade as the PS3.

M$ has stated before that BR is not coming to the 360, and that they are going to concentrate on Internet distribution of media.

And like HHH said, you could consider a PS3. They have added a few new services that are similar to Live, but don't cost anything, and you can upgrade the HD if you run out of room. The 40GB model might go on sale in some places in the next few months, because I think they are cutting it in favor of a new 80GB model.

[Human Torch]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

as in, download and install them...like steam?

no you keep the original disc in the system for verification....on the other hand the xbox arcade(or ps3 store/wii store) is sorta like steam.

And yea, might as well wait for the new chipset to avoid the red ring. I'm already planning on selling mine(pm if interested haha) once it comes back fixed from microsoft and get another one later on. It frickin red ringed on me last sunday the day before e3.

Also, the ps3 can be used as a media extender as well.

[Flash Walken]

I hate all of you because now I'm so indecisive!

Maybe I want a PS3...Gah, this is so hard!

Someone wanna lay out some pros on a cons about the gaming quality?

Wireless controllers? Load times? Game price?

[Human Torch]

How's your home theatre setup? If you have an hdtv and a surround sound system, might as well make use of it with a blu ray player in the ps3...gaming on it isn't too shabby either. For strictly gaming, I'd give a very small edge to the 360.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I hear them Commodore Vic20s are pretty snazzy. It lets you play Lode Runner and everything!

[arsenal]

go ps3.
Not only does it play blu-rays, the games that are available right now are decent, and they are only going to get better.
Wireless controllers.
You can also share media off of your computer(s) and play them through the PS3 onto your tv. This includes tv shows, movies, music, photos, etc, what ever you decide to share.

[Flash Walken]

Someone mentioned a potential price-drop. Anyone know of anything along those lines with the PS3 coming up?

I've been so cranky without games!

[Otto-matic]

My xbox is giving off a lot of heat, sometimes wont read NHL 08 should I call into the service center? I just bought it last September and I have no clue how long the warranty is, I've read that they extended it for the RROD.

[Bill Bumface]

Xbox can do all the media functions listed above, including movie/TV show rental/purchase.

The big question is do you care about BluRay? Personally, I don't, as I think downloaded media is where things are headed, as already demonstrated by both PS3 and Xbox. Also, If I want a BluRay player, I'd prefer standalone. Gaming wise, Xbox has definitely shown to have a bit of an edge.

That said If I was big into Gran Tourismo, that would make my choice for a PS3 right there.

[Igottago]

I say stay with the Xbox..the selection of games is unbeatable IMO. At that price with 2 good games seems like a great deal too. The only question is if you really think you'll be storing much on the hard drive. I have the elite (120 gig hd) and to be quite honest I don't store much on it at all. But i'm a little unsure about this installation feature.

For those in the know, is the new installation feature going to be an option, or a necessity for certain games?

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I hate all of you because now I'm so indecisive!

Maybe I want a PS3...Gah, this is so hard!

Someone wanna lay out some pros on a cons about the gaming quality?

Wireless controllers? Load times? Game price?

Are you into any specific kind of game? How important is multiplayer to you?

The 360 has more games out for it than the PS3 does, mainly because it's been out longer. Some of the bigger exclusive games have been BioShock, Goears of War, Halo 3, and Mass Effect. On the PS3 side there has been Metal Gear Solid 4, Warhawk, Uncharted, and Ratchet & Clank. Other ones that are on both are GTA4 and Rock Band. I'm sure someone is going to point out ones I've missed. All are fairly solid games, it just depends on what you like.

Quality between the two is as you would expect; some games are better, some worse. More devs are getting the hang of the PS3 toolkits, so the quality on games across consoles is becoming minor.

Controllers are all wireless; PS3 you charge from a USB port, 360 you have batteries or battery pack (I think).

Many games for PS3 require an install, while many on the 360 do not; people report load time differences as very small because of this, others disagree.

Games prices are the same.

The biggest difference is the Live service on the 360. You pay for multiplayer games, but it acts as a matchmaking service. There are a few more friend communication services on it than the PS3, but Sony has been making major updates to bring it up to the same level...plus it's free.

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Someone mentioned a potential price-drop. Anyone know of anything along those lines with the PS3 coming up?

I've been so cranky without games!

From what I read they are basically taking the 40GB model and slapping a 80GB drive into it at the $400 price point, and stopping the 40GB model. This may get retailers to dump the 40GB stock. Don't quote me on this though. I'd have to double check.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I say stay with the Xbox..the selection of games is unbeatable IMO. At that price with 2 good games seems like a great deal too. The only question is if you really think you'll be storing much on the hard drive. I have the elite (120 gig hd) and to be quite honest I don't store much on it at all. But i'm a little unsure about this installation feature.

For those in the know, is the new installation feature going to be an option, or a necessity for certain games?

I would think it would have to be optional on the 360, since some models may not have a hard drive, correct?

Just out of curiosity, what games do you think give the edge to the 360?

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Kerplunk

I would think it would have to be optional on the 360, since some models may not have it.

Just out of curiosity, what games do you think give the edge to the 360?

You know, personally its not even that the games are so much better (although I do like Halo and Gears of War). Most games I like are available on both systems anyways because I mainly play sports games. I really like the controller on the 360, I like the dashboard and xbox live features as well, and i've got quite a few friends with xbox's that are also on xbox live. It just seems like everything is integrated so well. I've got nothing against PS3 but I don't have the need for blu-ray, and at the time I bought my xbox PS3 was pretty far behind in getting some top notch titles. Things may have evened out more by now. Really you just have to look at system exclusives and decide which you are more interested in.

[arsenal]

another ps3 plus. Because not many ppl own them, you are almost guaranteed to be able to pick up a game for the ps3, and not have to wait months for it like with the wii or possibly xbox.