Ok, I am finally buying a console due to GTA IV

[Stuxnet]

Originally posted by: Ramma2
If you think you would get any use out of the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player, then that is what I would recommend to you.

If Blu-Ray is not your thing then I would recommend the 360 because I believe it does have the stronger online presence at this moment.

Agreed. It's true that PS3's online is free, and TBH, I've never seen it in action. But I *can* say that Xbox Live is worth every penny. It's so seamless and integrated with the games, and you can kill time just looking through the Marketplace.

I haven't read all of the replies yet, but beware the RROD. I'm on my 3rd Xbox 360; the other two died. I take excellent care of my equipment, and I play in a cool, air conditioned home office where dust and kids don't exist.

The latest models are supposed to have a much lower failure rate... let's hope.

 

[SnipeMasterJ13]

As everyone has already said, Xbox Live is completely worth it. It seems like the only thing that the PS3 has going for it right now is the Blu-Ray since you said the majority of your friends have 360's. With that you get extra content in the future, and even when not playing GTA4, you can still chat with your friends via headset while you each play a game, or completely separate games. It's not like this is necessary, but it does make it better to be able to talk to friends even while playing a single player game.

 

[lupi]

The single question to answer is if 2 years from now you want to spend a month without your console while you send it in to be replaced.

 

[Imported]

Originally posted by: lupi
The single question to answer is if 2 years from now you want to spend a month without your console while you send it in to be replaced.

2 years? Some are lucky if they make 6 months.

That being said, I still love my 360 and plan on getting a PS3 with my stimulus package. lol

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: lupi
The single question to answer is if 2 years from now you want to spend a month without your console while you send it in to be replaced.

That's not a very good answer.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: lupi
The single question to answer is if 2 years from now you want to spend a month without your console while you send it in to be replaced.

The Falcon consoles are far more reliable than the launch consoles, and are easily on par with the PS3. Nice troll, though.

 

[zixxer]

It's so aggravating that AT can't have a conversation about ANY type of console topics without it spiraling down into a RROD vs 'Sony Sucks'. MS has pretty much fixed all of the issues everyone complains about - there's no reason to go with PS3 over 360 based on that.

Just get what your friends have. Get a 360 pro if you don't mind buying your own hdmi cable.

 

[JoeFahey]

Originally posted by: zixxer
It's so aggravating that AT can't have a conversation about ANY type of console topics without it spiraling down into a RROD vs 'Sony Sucks'. MS has pretty much fixed all of the issues everyone complains about - there's no reason to go with PS3 over 360 based on that.

Just get what your friends have. Get a 360 pro if you don't mind buying your own hdmi cable.

Wait, what does the HDMI cable do? Do I need it to play?

 

[shingletingle]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey

Originally posted by: zixxer
It's so aggravating that AT can't have a conversation about ANY type of console topics without it spiraling down into a RROD vs 'Sony Sucks'. MS has pretty much fixed all of the issues everyone complains about - there's no reason to go with PS3 over 360 based on that.

Just get what your friends have. Get a 360 pro if you don't mind buying your own hdmi cable.

Wait, what does the HDMI cable do? Do I need it to play?

LOL Are you serious?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey

Originally posted by: zixxer
It's so aggravating that AT can't have a conversation about ANY type of console topics without it spiraling down into a RROD vs 'Sony Sucks'. MS has pretty much fixed all of the issues everyone complains about - there's no reason to go with PS3 over 360 based on that.

Just get what your friends have. Get a 360 pro if you don't mind buying your own hdmi cable.

Wait, what does the HDMI cable do? Do I need it to play?

It carries the video (and audio) signal. You don't need it - the 360 comes with a component video cable. If you don't know what HDMI does, you probably couldn't use it anyway. What's your setup like? Do you have an HDTV? Do you have a surround sound receiver? If you have a surround sound receiver that accepts optical inputs, you'll want to pick up an optical cable as well.

If you decide to get a PS3, you'd also need to buy either a HDMI cable or component video cable (assuming you have an HDTV). And again you'll want an optical cable if you have a surround sound receiver that accepts optical inputs. Order your cables ahead of timefrom Monoprice so you're not tempted to pay exorbitant local prices.

 

[Eeezee]

I personally prefer the PS3. Less likelihood of hardware failure + Blu-Ray + free online play + MGS4 coming in a month = WIN

If you just want to play GTA4, wait 6 months for the PC port. That'll be a lot cheaper.

As for your online questions, I play Warhawk on the PSN and it's great. The store has also vastly improved with the latest patch. I don't own GTA4, and I've heard that the PSN isn't getting along with GTA4 so well... but even if there are problems, they'll get fixed.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JoeFahey

Originally posted by: zixxer
It's so aggravating that AT can't have a conversation about ANY type of console topics without it spiraling down into a RROD vs 'Sony Sucks'. MS has pretty much fixed all of the issues everyone complains about - there's no reason to go with PS3 over 360 based on that.

Just get what your friends have. Get a 360 pro if you don't mind buying your own hdmi cable.

Wait, what does the HDMI cable do? Do I need it to play?

It carries the video (and audio) signal. You don't need it - the 360 comes with a component video cable. If you don't know what HDMI does, you probably couldn't use it anyway. What's your setup like? Do you have an HDTV? Do you have a surround sound receiver? If you have a surround sound receiver that accepts optical inputs, you'll want to pick up an optical cable as well.

If you decide to get a PS3, you'd also need to buy either a HDMI cable or component video cable (assuming you have an HDTV). And again you'll want an optical cable if you have a surround sound receiver that accepts optical inputs. Order your cables ahead of timefrom Monoprice so you're not tempted to pay exorbitant local prices.

The PS3 comes with a composite video cable. I'm assuming that if the OP hasn't heard of HDMI, his TV might not even have component video. Every TV has at least composite video

If you're buying either system, either stick with whatever video cable they come with or upgrade to HDMI. Those are really your only two choices (why settle with lesser video quality?)

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: lupi
The single question to answer is if 2 years from now you want to spend a month without your console while you send it in to be replaced.

The Falcon consoles are far more reliable than the launch consoles, and are easily on par with the PS3. Nice troll, though.

The original models were supposed to be much more reliable than they actually were. How about we wait and see before we claim that they actually have a lower failure rate? It has only been six months since the Falcon boards shipped.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JoeFahey

Originally posted by: zixxer
It's so aggravating that AT can't have a conversation about ANY type of console topics without it spiraling down into a RROD vs 'Sony Sucks'. MS has pretty much fixed all of the issues everyone complains about - there's no reason to go with PS3 over 360 based on that.

Just get what your friends have. Get a 360 pro if you don't mind buying your own hdmi cable.

Wait, what does the HDMI cable do? Do I need it to play?

It carries the video (and audio) signal. You don't need it - the 360 comes with a component video cable. If you don't know what HDMI does, you probably couldn't use it anyway. What's your setup like? Do you have an HDTV? Do you have a surround sound receiver? If you have a surround sound receiver that accepts optical inputs, you'll want to pick up an optical cable as well.

If you decide to get a PS3, you'd also need to buy either a HDMI cable or component video cable (assuming you have an HDTV). And again you'll want an optical cable if you have a surround sound receiver that accepts optical inputs. Order your cables ahead of timefrom Monoprice so you're not tempted to pay exorbitant local prices.

The PS3 comes with a composite video cable. I'm assuming that if the OP hasn't heard of HDMI, his TV might not even have component video. Every TV has at least composite video

If you're buying either system, either stick with whatever video cable they come with or upgrade to HDMI. Those are really your only two choices (why settle with lesser video quality?)

Yeah I know. That's why I said "you'd also need to buy either a HDMI cable or component video cable (assuming you have an HDTV)."

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: lupi
The single question to answer is if 2 years from now you want to spend a month without your console while you send it in to be replaced.

The Falcon consoles are far more reliable than the launch consoles, and are easily on par with the PS3. Nice troll, though.

The original models were supposed to be much more reliable than they actually were. How about we wait and see before we claim that they actually have a lower failure rate? It has only been six months since the Falcon boards shipped.

I think I've seen more people complain about Falcons failing in the last few months than I've seen complaints about Wii or PS3.

6 months old and they are already starting to fail. http://www.youtube.com/results...lcon+RRoD&search_type=

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: BladeVenom

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: lupi
The single question to answer is if 2 years from now you want to spend a month without your console while you send it in to be replaced.

The Falcon consoles are far more reliable than the launch consoles, and are easily on par with the PS3. Nice troll, though.

The original models were supposed to be much more reliable than they actually were. How about we wait and see before we claim that they actually have a lower failure rate? It has only been six months since the Falcon boards shipped.

I think I've seen more people complain about Falcons failing in the last few months than I've seen complaints about Wii or PS3.

6 months old and they are already starting to fail. http://www.youtube.com/results...lcon+RRoD&search_type=

Yeah, even if you buy a Falcon I would still assume it's going to die sooner rather than later and proceed accordingly.
1. Expect that you'll be without it for at least a month at some point
If that's unacceptable
2. Buy a store replacement plan
or
3. Buy it at a store that will let you return it indefinitely. Costco does this, I believe Sam's Club does as well. If you go this route you end up buying accessories/games that you may not use, but at least you're getting something for your money unlike with a replacement plan. Last time I was in Costco B&M they were selling the 360 for $400 with an extra controller + play and charge kit. Not a bad value if you want the second controller. I personally prefer the stand-alone charger over the P&C kit. I won't play a game with the controller plugged in, so I always keep an extra battery on the charger. The removable battery is nice, you can just swap it out and keep playing. Really, the cheapest route for rechargeable batteries is to use the AA caddies that come with the controllers with a set of Sanyo Eneloops or other NiMh batteries.

 

[RESmonkey]

PS3 version is better. (360 may have slower graphic loading, and so things will appear on screen with delay.)

 

[Schadenfroh]

PS3 version have the ability to install the game on the HD like some of the other PS3 games (I know they still require the disk, but the load times are much better, like with FolkLore).

 

[zixxer]

Ugh.... seriously... Again - the only factor in this is what your friends have.

Ignore these trolls that are even bringing up the differences that pertain to GTA IV - as a console they have the exact same overall major features. As it pertains to GTA IV they are also virtually identical.

What matters is what system your friends have. Amongst my peers (mid 20-somethings) all have 360's. If you're worried about reliability (although imo you should do this with either system) and buy it from best buy with a service plan for $50 or just buy it from costco w/ lifetime return.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: zixxer
Ugh.... seriously... Again - the only factor in this is what your friends have.

Ignore these trolls that are even bringing up the differences that pertain to GTA IV - as a console they have the exact same overall major features. As it pertains to GTA IV they are also virtually identical.

What matters is what system your friends have. Amongst my peers (mid 20-somethings) all have 360's. If you're worried about reliability (although imo you should do this with either system) and buy it from best buy with a service plan for $50 or just buy it from costco w/ lifetime return.

Yes, that is a concern - if all of your friends have 360s, it makes sense to get one so you can play with them.

The OP doesn't own any of the next-gen consoles though, and that tells me that his friends probably don't, either. Most 20-somethings don't own a 360 OR a PS3.

If you have tons of friends that already own a 360, then it makes sense to get the 360. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure the PS3 is the better choice.

 

[Auryg]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Originally posted by: zixxer
Ugh.... seriously... Again - the only factor in this is what your friends have.

Ignore these trolls that are even bringing up the differences that pertain to GTA IV - as a console they have the exact same overall major features. As it pertains to GTA IV they are also virtually identical.

What matters is what system your friends have. Amongst my peers (mid 20-somethings) all have 360's. If you're worried about reliability (although imo you should do this with either system) and buy it from best buy with a service plan for $50 or just buy it from costco w/ lifetime return.

Yes, that is a concern - if all of your friends have 360s, it makes sense to get one so you can play with them.

The OP doesn't own any of the next-gen consoles though, and that tells me that his friends probably don't, either. Most 20-somethings don't own a 360 OR a PS3.

If you have tons of friends that already own a 360, then it makes sense to get the 360. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure the PS3 is the better choice.

No, they both have their differences. PS3 has slightly less popup (I hear it depends on what drive you have in your 360; I've only noticed a tad), but it also runs at a lower resolution. 360 will get getting downloadable content - PS3 you don't have to pay for online.

Etc etc.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Eeezee

Yes, that is a concern - if all of your friends have 360s, it makes sense to get one so you can play with them.

The OP doesn't own any of the next-gen consoles though, and that tells me that his friends probably don't, either. Most 20-somethings don't own a 360 OR a PS3.

If you have tons of friends that already own a 360, then it makes sense to get the 360. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure the PS3 is the better choice.

Well, he did say

I play a lot of Halo and other multiplayer games at my friends' houses on their Xbox 360's.

But if he also has friends who have PS3s and who have GTA IV on the PS3 then it could go either way depending on other factors (whether he needs wifi, whether he's willing to pay $40/year for Live, whether he's willing to live with the RRoD).

 

[JoeFahey]

I bought the 360 and I love it. At bestbuy, they tried to sell me the $50 service plan due to the "red ring of death" or some problem the cashier told me about. I have 30 days to get it. Should I get it? I said no as I usually do, but should I get it?

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
I bought the 360 and I love it. At bestbuy, they tried to sell me the $50 service plan due to the "red ring of death" or some problem the cashier told me about. I have 30 days to get it. Should I get it? I said no as I usually do, but should I get it?

You should definitely get the BB service plan unless you don't mind waiting a month or two for your RROD X360 to come back.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: JoeFahey
I bought the 360 and I love it. At bestbuy, they tried to sell me the $50 service plan due to the "red ring of death" or some problem the cashier told me about. I have 30 days to get it. Should I get it? I said no as I usually do, but should I get it?

There is a 3 year warranty to cover that, so it comes down to whether you want to pay the extra $50 to avoid being without your 360 for a month sometime down the road.