Microsoft drops price of Xbox 360 Elite, kills Pro
On the heels of Sony reducing the price of its PlayStation 3 and announcing the PlayStation 3 Slim, Microsoft announced Thursday that it too will be dropping the price of its console.
It's just the $299 Elite and the Arcade now.
(Credit: Microsoft)Starting Friday, the Xbox 360 Elite will be priced at $299, $100 cheaper than its current price. The Xbox 360 Pro, which currently retails for $299 will be priced at $249 starting Friday. Once retailers sell through their entire stock of Xbox 360 Pro units, that SKU will no longer be offered by the hardware maker.
Going forward, Microsoft will offer only the $299 Xbox 360 Elite with its 120GB hard drive, and the $199 Xbox 360 Arcade which comes bundled with five games and a 256MB memory unit.
Microsoft's decision to reduce the price of the Xbox 360 isn't a surprise. Numerous rumors have been swirling around the Web for weeks. But perhaps the reason for the price drop, at least according to Microsoft, might surprise you.
When I pushed Microsoft's director of product management for Xbox 360 and Xbox Live, Aaron Greenberg, on why the company had decided to reduce the Xbox 360's price now, he said that it had been planned for months.
"I'm sure some will think this is a response to competitor pricing," Greenberg said. "But we had planned this reduction months in advance. Retail circular ads and store merchandising were all lined up. We wanted to be ready for the holiday season."
Microsoft wouldn't say whether it is generating a profit off the sale of each Xbox 360 unit it sells. Greenberg would only say that, overall, Microsoft's Xbox division is profitable. That stands in stark contrast to Sony's PlayStation 3, which is currently being sold at a loss.
Other changes?
Microsoft was quick to say that no other changes will be made to its offering. The Xbox 360's design will remain unchanged. Accessory pricing on products, such as Wi-Fi adapters and hard drive add-ons, will also stay constant.
Say good-bye to free cables
Perhaps the most glaring omission gamers will find when they pick up the now cheaper Xbox 360 Elite is that it will not be bundled with an HDMI cable. Current units on-sale for $399 include one.
When I asked Microsoft why it decided to ditch the it, the company had a rather interesting take.
"When we first launched the Xbox 360 Elite, HDMI cables had high perceived values," Greenberg said. "Now, they're commoditized." Greenberg went on to say that research Microsoft performed found that the majority of its customers weren't using the cable. Realizing that, it decided to remove it from the Elite packaging and "pass the savings on to customers."
That logic flies in the face of Microsoft's contention that HDMI cables are being commoditized. Commoditization suggests production costs are low and including them with the Xbox 360 Elite wouldn't be as costly as they once were. It's debatable that Microsoft is actually helping consumers by taking the HDMI cable out of the Xbox 360 Elite box.
Browsers and Blu-ray
Windows features a browser. Windows Mobile has a browser. And the upcoming Zune HD sports one too. But so far, there isn't a browser in the Xbox 360. I asked Greenberg if Microsoft plans to offer an Xbox 360 browser in the near future and he didn't hesitate: no chance.
"It's a pretty bad experience," Greenberg said when asked why Microsoft won't offer a browser in the Xbox 360. Microsoft has decided that it wants its console's software to focus on home entertainment. A browser doesn't quite fit into that strategy, although it's worth noting a software update that's slated to be released later this year will add native applications for Twitter and Facebook.
Microsoft also has no plans to bring Blu-ray disc playback to the Xbox 360. The hardware maker doesn't see a reason to add Blu-ray to its console when users can already get HD content through Xbox Live.
Looking ahead
So, a new pricing battle has been started. Starting Friday, you'll be able to choose between an Xbox 360 Elite for $299 or a PlayStation 3 for the same price.
Which will you choose?
Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
He's right on the browser being a pretty bad experience, though I'm not sure why. The PS3 browser isn't really that great, but has been useful at times**. I'm not sure why they (either M$ or Sony) can't make a good browser on these consoles.
**I do use my PS3 browser quite often to watch an episode of some TV show I miss. It makes it really easy to just go to the web site of the TV show and watch it on the entertainment system. So, I'm really glad Sony included a browser, even if it is a 'poor experience'. Once the video is playing, it is once again an excellent experience.
Jesus, you XBox fanboys are ridiculous. Sony does not include a cable and you go ballistic. Microsoft does not include a cable and your response is: "Gee, shucks Microsoft thats O.K.".
nope it only comes with composite cables now, they dumped component as well as HDMI
Then, when we bought our HDTV, we talked BestBuy into throwing in an HDMI cable for free.
I've stated in other articles, not having the cable isn't that big of a deal since I hardly ever use the included cables anyway. I usually need a custom length or want a descent quality cable.
I wish they all die.......
Have you noticed the people who have the hardware issues tend to be the ones that really seriously stress the systems, putting in hundreds of hours of gametime on the units and are not exactly known for their proper care and maintenance of the systems?
My 360 hasn't given me a bit of trouble in the four years I've had it. Granted, I only play with it for a few hours ever couple of weeks or so and not a serious hard core gamer by any means.
My point is that hard core gamers who overclock their desktop systems, tweaking it for every possible erg of energy tend to also have the most equipment failures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAgug5D6Kdg
Including a browser that supports O3D would give gamers the best of both worlds. You could run local games AND you could run upcoming O3D-based games in the browser.
As more browsers (smartphone, desktop, etc.) incorporate O3D, gamers on the move will be able to continue playing the SAME game...albeit with reduced performance.
That's a major plus for game developers! Now, their games are always being played, versus just when the game console is turned on.
Exciting!
I have also heard a lot of alarming stories about how badly put together Xboxes are. Something like one in three break down soon after purchase.
Huh?
If Apple made game consoles those consoles would be exploding.
Read this:
EU's exploding-iPhone investigation heats up
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10312537-1.html?tag=mncol
Report: Apple tried to silence family over exploding iPod
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10302038-37.html?tag=mncol
"Apple sued over 'exploding' iPod Touch"
http://news.cnet.com/apple-sued-over-exploding-ipod-touch/?tag=mncol
Time to stop pretending Apple's failures are common. They are not common at all.
Also, you are dealing with a device that has a rechargeable battery. Do you remember the exploding Dell laptops? I sure hope so.
Heh, yeah. 1 in 3 xboxes vs. a couple in how many million iPhones and iPod Touches? Perhaps you should spend less time on your xbox and more time studying Math?
However, I am curious about the failure rate of the PS3 by comparison to the xbox. I know my nephew, who lives for his xBox had 3 die on him, including 2 from last christmas within a couple months. If I were buying the things, I'd have sold the games on eBay and gotten ANYTHING else at that point.
Yeah?
Read this..and weep!
"An exclusive KIRO 7 Investigation reveals an alarming number of Apple brand iPod MP3 players have suddenly burst into flames and smoke, injuring people and damaging property.?
"It took more than 7-months for KIRO 7 Consumer Investigator Amy Clancy to get her hands on documents concerning Apple?s iPods from the Consumer Product Safety Commission because Apple?s lawyers filed exemption after exemption. In the end, the CPSC released more than 800 pages which reveal, for the very first time, a comprehensive look that shows, on a number of occasions, iPods have suddenly burst into flames, started to smoke, and even burned their owners."
http://www.kirotv.com/money/20089894/detail.html?ref=pop
Heck, even the EU has launched an investigation into the exploding iPod phenomenom
"EU's exploding-iPhone investigation heats up"
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10312537-1.html?tag=mncol
@ ddesy ""Do you remember the exploding Dell laptops? "
Yes..and I remember the exploding Mac laptops too.
Is that why authorities in both the US and the EU are investigating Apple over exploding iPods, that have put children's lives, and people's property at risk both here and in Europe?
EU's exploding-iPhone investigation heats up
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10312537-1.html?tag=mncol
"An exclusive KIRO 7 Investigation reveals an alarming number of Apple brand iPod MP3 players have suddenly burst into flames and smoke, injuring people and damaging property.?
http://www.kirotv.com/money/20089894/detail.html?ref=pop
At least if you get an rrod on your 360, it doesn't turn round and EXPLODE, like the grenade iPods do.
Hey Al Queda might just decide to laubch ther next attacks using an iPod.
@ gudin :"Perhaps you should spend less time on your xbox and more time studying Math?"
I suggest you study your chemistry.. as in what chemical mixes are needed to cause an explosion..as in iPod explosions.
@ gudin :"However, I am curious about the failure rate of the PS3 by comparison to the xbox"
The Falcon 360's that have been out since September last year, are every bit as reliable as the PS3's.
it's the batteries that are exploding, not the ipod. Apple doesn't make them - or any of the batteries in their products - other than the new Mac book pros. Apple is just a large and popular brand with deep pockets and a litigious target on their back and a knack for attracting readers/viewer to "journalistic reports". Most importantly, they are far from the only one who have this happen to them. if Journalists were worth more than your average blogger they would be investigating the source of the batteries, not just flagging who ambulance chasers should sue:
Nokia-branded batteries at risk of overheating -- 46 million devices affected
http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/14/nokia-branded-batteries-at-risk-of-exploding-46-million-devic/
Sony battery recall approaches 10 million, costs mounting
http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/19/sony-battery-recall-approaches-10-million-costs-mounting/
"Exploding" Dell Laptop Destroys Truck, Imperils Outsdoorsmen
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/08/dell_fire.html
Motorola phone battery explodes ? kills Chinese welder!
http://www.intomobile.com/2007/07/05/motorola-phone-battery-explodes-kills-chinese-welder.html
HP facing lawsuit over exploding Presario, injured daughter
http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/15/hp-facing-lawsuit-over-exploding-presario-injured-daughter/
Two last notes.
1. Pretty lame to attack apple (which has nothing to do with the current convo other than the earlier poster mentioned they would like to see apple design one) over exploding batteries when batteries play no part in console design. Last time I checked, they plugged into an outlet.
2. The second you mentioned AL-Queda, you lost all credibility. Stay on topic or don't comment.
Now on topic. To me the PS3 seems like the better deal of you have neither. the game as far as I can see have a similar stable of game save for a few exclusives. If you like those particular game, then the choice is made for you (I wanted InFamous and DCOU) so I picked the PS3 myself). Considering though, if you have no allegiance to either, for the same price you get a bluray payer ? that seems like a no-brainer to me. And please don't mention downloads/streaming as an actual alternative. What if you want to bring a movie to a friend's house or lend it to some one. A lot of people still prefer physical media. PS3 makes sense.
You gotta be kidding me!
The batteries ARE part of the iPod.
That's like saying, if you buy a car from GM, and the tyres explode , cause an accident and kill you, its not the car that failed, it's only the tyres.
Earth to rfelgueiras , the tyres ARE part of the car that you bought. GM is held to full acountabiliy.
Apple buys nearly everything in the iPod from 3rd parties. Apple don't have factories that make hard drives, RAM, flat panel screens etc. They buy nearly every single compotent from 3 rd parties.
Its encumbent upon Apple to make sure they test every component they buy, befrore they put it inside the iPod.
iIt's their product. They can't turn round and say hey, we bought this particlar part from someone else so it's not our business. It IS their business.
What a stupid excuse!
Only an Apple fanatic will come up wiyh such a ridiculous defense.
You Apple fanboy clowns brought Apple into this thread in the first place, with your lame talk about better qualityconsoles if Apple made gaming conoles.
Well their iPods have some of the highest failure rates ever of any electronics device. It's almost guarenteed that any gaming console from Apple, would have pretty high failure rates too, and probably explode as well, like the iPods have been exploding.
@ by rfelgueiras "for the same price you get a bluray payer ? that seems like a no-brainer to me."
What does vburay have to do with gaming?
Especially since the DVD drive on the 360 has faster data transfer rates than the bluray on the PS3, and most 3rd party games run better on the 360 than on the PS3?
@ by rfelgueiras " And please don't mention downloads/streaming as an actual alternative. "
Why not?
The 360 has full instant on 1080P HD streaming right now, just like the bluray's 1080P HD.
@ by rfelgueiras "What if you want to bring a movie to a friend's house or lend it to some one. A lot of people still prefer physical media"
Oh puleeze!
I don't lend any movie to anybody. Let them go buy/rent their own, or get an XBOX 360 and do HD streaming.
Plus as a fan of the iPod, you should know that downloaded music sales on MP3 players/PC's/cell phones are rising very fast even as sales of physical CD's keep gowing down. Downloads are where the future is.
The price drop WAS for the holiday season. If anything, they will bundle a game or two.
And them not including a $3 cable? Retarded
You need neither wifi nor bluray to play your games or get online on the 360. The cat 5 cable on the 360 gets you online fine..with no lag like wifi does.
@ ywkhgqo "And them not including a $3 cable? Retarded "
Ummm..the PS3 doesn't come with HDMI cable either. Why don't you go whine at Sony about that?
I was half expecting to read in your response something to the effect of at least the xbox has a red ring feature in it to let you know when it's died and Sony does not, therefore clearly the microsoft product is superior.
I prefer picking my own HDMI cable, thank you. It doesn't need to be included on either system. BluRay adds at least $150 to the value of a PS3, it's definitely a feature whether or not you personally want it.
I take it you are a paid shill for Sony then yes?
@ GrBear :"Seriously, having wifi and blu-ray are features one unit has and the other does not"
So what?
It's a gaming console. You don't need either bluray or wifi to play great games on the 360 or any gaming console.
As a matter of fact, the DVD drive on the 360 actually has faster data transfer rates than the bluray on the PS3, and overwhelmingly, most top 3rd party games run much better on the 360 than on the PS3.
The # 1 reason why the P3 has racked up horrendous losses of over $4 billion is because of the inclusion of the bluray.
Sony added in the bluray to the PS3 just so they can win the bluray versus HD-DVD war, and it's cost them plenty. They didn't put bluray in there because of games. Most 3rd party games fit onto an normal DVD.
@ GrBear :"The point is not if they are essential, its that a percentage of people will use them and as such provides a benefit over the competition because it has higher value-added features."
Looking at NPD monthly sales figures for the past 11 months, where the 360 has regularly clobbered the PS3 in monthly sales, I'd say that the percentage of people who think bluray gives the PS3 an advantage over the 360, is pretty small, wouldn't you?
@ GrBear :"I was half expecting to read in your response something to the effect of at least the xbox has a red ring feature in it to let you know when it's died and Sony does not"
The last desperate act of a losing PS3 fanboy strikes again.
Falcon 360's which have been out since September last year, are every bit as reliable as the PS3.
Naaaah.
YOU are the dumb fanboy. However, I think you are too dumb for even Sony you hire you as a troll.
@ Randoug :" To say that Blu ray doesn't affect a persons choice when buying either console just isn't true. "
Look at the NPD monthly hardware fales figures for the past 12 months, then come back to me.
The 360(no bluray), has oustold the PS3(with bluray) every single month since August last year.
In total, the 360 has outsold the PS3 by over 2 million units in since August 2008 alone.
Doesn't much look like the gaming public were too impressed with the bluray in the PS3 does it?
@ Randoug :" agree that the XBox dvd player is at a higher speed the the BD player on the PS3 but people wouldn't mind giving up speed for better quality movies that can be displayed on the PS3. "
It's a GAMING console. Peformance on games count more than anything else. And time after time, top 3rd party games have performed better on the 360 than on the PS3.
Plus you can watch HD movies on your 360 using instant on 1080P HD streaming with with 5.1 surround sound from Netflix or Zune video.
You need neither wifi nor bluray to play your games or get online on the 360. The cat 5 cable on the 360 gets you online fine..with no lag like wifi does. "
Well if I need a 50 foot cat 5e cable does that come with the XBOX? No so that's an added expense. Do I WANT to have 50 feet of cat 5e cable sprawled across my house? No. For system that likes to say it's superior than the PS3 because of it's online and to not include wi-fi is a joke.
I don't need a 50 foot cat 5, and neither do most people.
Just place your XBOX close to where your hub is, and you are set to go.
Dude, what is with you? You have your 360, no one's taking it away - relax with the attacks on anyone who may have an opinion that differs from you.
The point people are making are wholly valid. BluRay as a physical media option is picking up steam and even on this site it's rated as the best BluRay player available. True these are game consoles but both companies have made no bones about their push as a Media entertainment system. Microsoft has made just as much of a push (albeit in a different direction) into the media console market by adding audio and video playback as well as Windows Media Center connectivity and the ill fated HD-DVD add on. Sony's bush was in a different direction with BluRay. Both are more than just gaming consoles.
The two things you say no one wants (BluRay and WiFi) were what drew me the the console, the two specific exclusives finally sold me, resulting in this particular sale to me. I and other people in this thread alone are TELLING you we did, resulting in our purchases. And that was BEFORE the price drop. Now that the two systems are more comparable in price there is a really good argument to look at a PS3 over a 360. Telling people that the features they find important aren't important is idiotic. What does it have to do with you?
Lastly, using "data" of the last 12 months is useless in the discussion since not only does it not reflect the new pricing (which, by the way, is the current topic). New data projecting forward is much more useful :
The NPD Group Reports Blu-ray Disc Consumer Awareness and Sales On the Rise
http://www.npd.com/press/releases/press_090506.html
Coupling that with the fact that now you can get a player for 299, with wiFi (you mean I don't have to rewire my house?) AND it plays all the latest video games at 1080p? The next 12 months will be interesting.
Sense you are responding to everyone's comments here is one for you. You keep saying that you do not need the Blu-ray format for a gaming console. That there is enough space on dvds for modern games. Well what about the future of gaming?
Games are getting more and more advanced and it is logical that they need more memory. For example the new Final Fantasy 13 is coming out to both Xbox and PS3. That game is going to be both amazing and huge in memory. Square Enix has said that for the Xbox it will require 2-4 DVDs to store the whole game. Does this sound familiar? This goes back to FF7 on PSone where you had to switch the cds when you got to different areas of the game, annoying right. Guess how many Blu-rays the PS3 will need for FF13? ONE! So if you are going to get FF13 on the xbox have fun switching out the dvds when you go to different areas in the FF13 world, while all the PS3 owners won't have to deal with memory shortages.
Just log into the MSN store with your passport/hotmail/msn/live account and order you self an Xbox core/arcade/pro/elite. While your at it go ahead pre-order Windows 7/starter/home premium/professional/ultimate/enterprise and finally pick up a copy of Office 2007/home student/standard/professional/professional plus/ultimate/enterprise.
Make sure you consult the proper upgrade chart to make sure you can upgrade and then finally choose between 32bit or 64bit.
Tough decision...not.
You don't need bluray to play games on the 360 or any console.
And the cat5 on the 360 gets you online just fine, with no lag like the wifi does.
Plus XBOX Live is by some distance the best onlne system for a gaming console ever made.
Plus no one I know pays $50 for XBOX Live. You can get great Live deals online for as low as $30 and even less.
Plus of course you can buy a 30 Pro right now for just $250, and an Arcade for only $200. The PS3 is not going to hit the sweet $200 price spot for years.
Neither bluray, nor wifi is "basic functionality".
You don't need any of those to play your Halo 3 on your 360, or to get online using cat 5.
You can buy your 360, and right out of the box, play your Halo 3 and get online, without buying anything to add to it.
@ ausernamenoonehaschosen : "I always thought it was funny that the original XBox couldn't play DVDs unless you paid extra for the remote."
Umm..the original XBOX also came with a hard drive, which the PS2 didn't come with.
Relax, it's just additional features that a potential consumer will want. Why buy a car without GPS or Satellite radio for the same price as another reasonably similar car with both those options? You don't need either to drive the car and get from point A to point B, but they might make it easier and you'll probably enjoy the ride a little bit more. The 360 has the great Live experience and easier integration with Netflix, but it's tough to argue that it's a better "value" than the PS3 at $300, especially because it's hard to put a price tag on those features. As a Blu-ray player (if you intend to use it), the PS3 saves you $200+ right there, plus about a ~$100 or so for the Wifi addtion if running cable will be difficult for you or unapproved by the significant other (let's face it, wives hate having cables run all over the place). That's the argument Kwas. That the PS3 at $300 looks like it adds value that the 360 does not. Each consumer will have to determine what each consoles' features are worth to them.
By the way, I may pick up an Elite at $300 because I think it's a reasonable price for what I would get out of the console. Then again, I paid $600 for an original 60GB PS3 and don't think I wasted my money...
You can get Xbox LIVE from Amazon for $30 and Best Buy also sells 13 month cards for that price every couple weeks. For that money you get a service that works and is pure awesome. I will never game over Wifi. "
The point is you have to WAIT for a sale to pick up those $30 cards. That's dumb. Sorry XBL is not that much better( if at all ) than PS3 online. Certainly not $300 better one is going to spend over 6 years. Trust me we have a XBOX 360 in the house and have XBL, so I know what I am talking about. Have you been on PSN? Nope you haven't. As far as wi-fi. Once again because you CHOOSE to not use wi-fi doesn't mean I should be FORCED to not be able to use it. I should have CHOICE too. Boy the fanbois are making excuses today. Face you don't play online via wi-fi BECAUSE YOU CAN'T. Kind of like the nerd that claims he doesn't want to date the homecoming queen. Sure easy thing to say about something that's not even an option to you to begin with.
Only in the UK.
This is an American oriented site.
The Arcade price stays the same in the US, and probably in the rest of Europe too. It hasn't gotten a price increase in the US.
Plus even the new Arcade price in the UK, is still cheaper than the Wii, which a vastly inferior, vastly less powerful machine.
Also agree on the keeping the browser out, no need for it on a game console. I never use the one on my Wii. I do think they should look at lowering the prices on some accessories.
I'm glad you can do all that on your PS3. I can do all that on my $250 netbook and *more*.
I just don't get why would they not drop the price of accessories? It just makes the comparison between the two consoles look more favorable for the PS3 if you don't own either system. If you have a 20GB model like the early adopters, I have no use for games on demand. Sure I could buy a new hard drive at the current price, but I've grown quite fond of having two arms and two legs, so no thank you.
Please give it a rest with the "You don't need blu-ray to play games on the 360."
You're right, you don't. But that's not the point. It's just another feature that you have access to on the PS3 that isn't available on the 360. That doesn't mean it's necessary or that everyone will take advantage. It's there if you want it, and now that we're on a level playing field, it's that much more enticing. And with blu-ray slowing gaining traction, it may play a larger role in buyer's decisions from here on out.
What is?
@ by Peteara:"It's just another feature that you have access to on the PS3 that isn't available on the 360. "
Acess to what?
You can use cat5 to get online fine on your 360, and get less lag than with wifi.
Lots of folks refuse to use wifi for games for that same reason.
@ by Peteara:"That doesn't mean it's necessary or that everyone will take advantage"
Why pay for something that you don't need?
For the financially constrained gamer, a 360 Arcade at just $200 will do everything they want from a gaming console. Even if they want to watch HD movies, they can still use the instant HD movie streaming on the 360 Arcade, without needing bluray to watch HD movies.
@ by Peteara: "It's there if you want it, and now that we're on a level playing field, it's that much more enticing"
The PS3 is still selling for $300. That was the launch price of the PS2, no?
If I recall correctly, over 90% of PS2 sales, took place after the PS2 hit the sweet $200 price sopt.
Right now, the only console with a $200 sweet price spot is the 360 Arcade. And it can even do HD movie streaming from Nteflix too if you want.
When I discovered that I could use my PS3 as my wifi media hub, and stream music to it, that was a bonus. The fact that I can play games on my PS3 is also a bonus.
At $300, Sony can market the PS3 to folks like me who want to buy a blu-ray player, and gee for a few buck more than the average price of a blu-ray player, I can get these bonuses. Microsoft tried to go after this same market during the HD format war when they had their HD-DVD drive. Today with Netflix streaming, they still want people to use their XBox as a media hub. For now, it is just is harder for Microsoft to convince people to buy an XBox for any reason other than buying a game console.
If I am just looking for a game console, then it is personal preference on the games and gaming experience. I like some of the games on both. If I am looking for a media center that happens to play games, then the PS3 was the better choice for me.
I'd actually prefer to pay a nominal fee for the PSN if it meant the experience would be much improved. Bluray is awesome, but obviously the gamers market doesn't care that much (evidence by the unit sales of 360 vs Ps3 - 2x as much). If Sony would have made the games not exclusive to bluray (they don't need to the capacity) and offered Bluray on a premium model with a stripped down version sans bluray for significantly cheaper to be on par with the 360 things probably would have panned out quite differently.
this colossal mistake has taken so much pressure off Microsoft that they can get away with initial poor hardware (i.e., hardware failure) & the rape you on proprietary accessories for a relatively cheap base system (aka the lexmark printer business model - 40 dollar printer with 50 dollar cartridge replacements).
I hope the next go around the companies clean things up so there is better competition, as a consumer we always benefit more from tight competition.
- by mdub311 August 27, 2009 7:39 AM PDT
- Once again, Dan's bias is showing. He didn't bother reporting on PS3's price reduction, but he falls all over himself to write about the Xbox 360's price reduction. Sure he did mention the compelling offering of both consoles finally being offered at the same price. I really hope consumers realize the value Sony is packaging in the Slim vs. the extras you have to purchase with both the Xbox and Wii. I owned an Xbox in the last generation warfare, but this time around I chose value over the bandwagon. But alas once again, Dan reveals his allegiance to the Microsoft bandwagon.
- Like this Reply to this comment
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- by Zoobie August 27, 2009 8:26 AM PDT
- Or how about this quote:
- Like this
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (104 Comments)"Microsoft wouldn't say whether it is generating a profit off the sale of each Xbox 360 unit it sells. Greenberg would only say that, overall, Microsoft's Xbox division is profitable. That stands in stark contrast to Sony's PlayStation 3, which is currently being sold at a loss."
Umm--that's the exact same thing Sony said two days ago; the PS3 is sold at a loss, but the PlayStation division is profitable. I don't see any stark contrast.
I bought a PS3 after the price drop. It came down to a couple of things for me--built in WiFi (Xbox fans say it doesn't matter, but I need it and MS charges a ridiculous $100 for a PC componenet that probably costs $5 to manufacture) and failure rate. Yes, I've heard that some people have problems with their PS3, but it's hard to ignore a 30% to 50% failure rate, especially when I plan to use mine for watching movies in addition to playing games.