Wow, it sparked off a debate that I think got a bit too argumentative.
First, let me say that for my needs (cable modem in a completely other room) this chart specifically describes my situation when I look at getting a 360. My options are WiFi adapter or drill holes to run probably 50ft of cables, probably closer to 100ft if I want to keep it hidden.
Now to address the conversation going on. I have been looking at 360s and this info is based off of my regional observations.
That's not exactly true since you need to buy an HDMI cable and a headset for the PS3 so you do need to purchase extra add ons. And since we are talking about a store you would easily be looking at a pretty hefty price to get an HDMI cable.
You can also argue not everyone needs WiFi, but in my case, I do. And as I believe someone else said the Arcade does not have a headset either. The Arcade starter kit (or whatever its called) comes with a headset, hard drive, and XBL card, if I remember correctly.
On the same token, you do not need HDMI or headset for PS3. But if you did the difference is that it does not require proprietary Sony made products that are over-priced. The 360 does (with the exception of, locally, hard to find WiFi adapters - and HDMI cables, of course). So, it could be assumed that most consumers who know the information provided in this chart would also know enough to look for deals on headsets and HDMI cables. And if they have a PS2 USB headset, that still works. Heck, most any USB camera with a mic will work, including the 360 webcam. Bluetooth is a bonus, not a requirement.
Also, there are now three games bundled with headsets: SOCOM, Warhawk, and Endwar. Endwar is the only bundle priced above $60. So, for people like me the headset comes along at the usual standard game price. I got the Warhawk bundle and did not even flinch at the cost difference from the stand-alone title, because it was no more than a usual game price.
@FoolKiller: Finally Sony are publicising these facts, I've been saying this to my friends who are considering consoles for ages now, although your right they need to get this information into an add campaign, ideally before Christmas but its a bit late for that now!
A bit of advertising this info would help counter the "Now for just $199" ads the 360 has out.
As the article admits, the chart is pretty biased: nobody would spec out that Xbox 360 configuration starting with an Arcade set.
So, what do we start with? A 60GB pro? OK, $299, plus $100 WiFi adapter, plus $50 Internet. $449. Still the same price. See, this works just fine because the price difference between the Arcade and other models is basically just the cost of the add-on hard drive. Whether you start with a hard drive or add a hard drive your end cost will be the same.
And before someone brings up the $20 coupon deal: the new Arcades come with internal memory, and a friend of mine recently discovered that negates the coupon deal, as it is for models with no internal memory.
I think it's pretty stupid how they make the Wii have a 'Not Available' Hard Drive when:
A) It has built in Flash Memory
B) Can take SD Cards.
Does 512MB count any more? I have 4 times that on my keyring. That's like saying the Commodore 64 had internal storage and a floppy drive you had to buy separately.
And the PS3 can read any USB drive, including ones that hold more than 2GB (the Wii's SD card limit). Does that count too?
Also, what do they mean by 'Limited' Online Gaming Service for the Wii? As far as I'm aware it's no more limited than the PS3, in that it's only limited by the game maker.
The first online game I had for my Wii came out a year after I had my Wii. It is limited in the same way PS3 trophy and in-game music support is limited.
--------------
Beware: Personal Wii rant below
--------------
But if you got a Wii, add me. My user name is.....oh wait....61...no. Shoot, I'll have to go find my 16 digit friend code. You need to get yours too, because it only works if we both go through this convoluted process.
If I wanted to do data entry I would still be working the job my uncle gave me at his engineering firm when I was 16.
----------------
Wii rant completed
----------------
Still though the arcade is a royal joke. If you've done minimal research, such as typing in "Xbox 360 Arcade" into Google, you will see it's a bad buy. Sony is rather thick if they think they should be comparing the two. I mean I can make anything look good if I compare the top of line X to the bottom of the barrel Y.
Which is top of the line? These are both entry level systems. This is apples to apples, and is the same comparison Microsoft keeps making when they say that the Arcade is half the price of the cheapest PS3. And as I pointed out earlier in this post, an upgraded 360 model also has the upgraded price of the add-on. There would be little, if any, price difference if this was based on better models.
All I'm saying is that for a salesmen to say you need nothing else besides what comes in the PS3's box is false, because at the very least you need an HDMI cable to use the system to it's abilities.
Sony isn't saying that either, as both systems could be taken home as is. What this is doing is countering the Microsoft comments regarding the Arcade being half the price of the cheapest PS3 by showing that the price difference is built-in to the PS3 at a better value than an equivalent 360 would be.
I admit that the HDMI Output - Not available in earlier models is pointless. Sony should add in BC and force feedback to the chart if they want to discuss added and lost features.
It's a terribly biased press release.
Um, yeah. That is what marketing does. But none of it is untrue.
Robin
Yeah it seems the release is slightly over the top and im sure the prices are RRP (you can get a 360 in the real world for less than that!).
Uh, if it isn't based on MSRP, or whatever then what are they supposed to base it on? Every sale is different. Every bundle different. I could easily say that with a PlayStation or Sony Style credit card you can get a PS3 for $150 (or could before Christmas).
Here is a stupid question (or possibly a brilliant idea)...
Has anyone thought about creating an online multiplayer game for the PS3 that can be played through the web browser? The browser supports Flash now, so it wouldn't be too hard to create some sort of Flash game that could be played in that way.
I'm thinking RPGs here, but there could also be other types of games similar to those on the PSN network that could be created. Obviously the game in question isn't going to be Killzone or GT5
, but there is scope to create some great games if there was the will, because there is certainly the way!
What do you guys think?
None multiplayer that I know of but what about these:
http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/games/recent/month/Playstation 3/flash/
Oh, and a site devoted solely to it is in development.
http://ps3flashgames.com/
Minor factual correction: The PS3 browser always supported Flash (at least since I bought mine), it just got an upgrade recently.
These sites have been out for the Wii and PS3 browser based games from the beginning. It's just that people don't see the point.
And with a keyboard and mouse connected then it likely doesn't even need to be designed for the PS3. But outside of social networking sites (Home?) I don't know of many multiplayer Flash games.
The Wii's inbuilt memory is 512mb which is very limiting (particulalry since the realease of the Wii store and Wiiware).
It does take SD cards, but games can't be played directly off them, you need to transfer them to and from the internal memory and quite frankly its a PITA.
They are working on a fix for this as Rock Band and Guitar Hero need to allow the DLC to work properly, and the Wii Ware issue you mentioned has been raised for a while now.
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendos-wii-storage-solution-load-from-sd-cards-coming-spri/
The number of games that support on-line games is tiny, the fiunctionality of those that do is very poor, friends codes are totaly unfriendly, chat is limited to one title (and that comes bundeled with the mic - which sits on top of your TV).
You can buy the mic separately for general non-in-game chat.
I don't think the PS3 is the cheapest Blu-ray player any more, doing a quick Google shopping search brought up Blu-ray players under $200 now.
It isn't now, but it is the cheapest comparable BD player with BD 2.0 and live Internet connection, complete with BD Live capabilities.
However, I still believe the PS3 is the only updateable Blu-ray player on the market, but I don't know that for sure.
No, some do connect via Ethernet, and my in-laws recently had to update their firmware and it was done via a handy USB port, via thumb drive, in the back.
And it looks like Giantbomb agrees, although they appear to prefer a delicious ham sandwich over all consoles.
http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/26/855758-xboxisfornerds.png