Sony email: PS3 a great value, Xbox "a burden on the wallet"

by Richard Mitchell { Jan 9th 2009 at 10:45AM }

Here's a little Friday flamebait for ya. An email from Sony made the rounds at Joystiq earlier this week, extolling the virtues of the Playstation 3, specifically its value. The email included the above chart, which makes it abundantly clear that the PS3 offers the most bang for the buck, while the Xbox 360 requires add-ons and the Wii lacks features. A choice selection from the email claims that the Xbox "requires" several add-ons that put "a burden on the wallet and adds clutter to the entertainment center." We're not really sure how the hard drive and WiFi adapter add clutter, especially considering they both attach directly to the console. Then again, we're not PR experts.

We do have to hand Sony the fact that Xbox lacks built in WiFi -- the $99 adapter is a tough, oddly shaped pill to swallow -- but the other comparisons are just charming.

Tags: business, console-wars, sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

MC Double Def DP @ Jan 9th 2009 10:52AM

All PS3 have HDMI output and none come with HDMI cables. That always seems odd to me. And I agree with the 360 wifi adapter. It's still $100? I think by now they should be able to cut that price down. Most overpriced 360 accessory by far.

nohandle @ Jan 9th 2009 11:01AM

besides the hard drives...

Viridium @ Jan 9th 2009 11:20AM

I still like MS giving me the option. No way would I game on wireless, but if you want to you are note forced to buy the MS adapter. There's a number of $20 solutions that work just fine.

Josh @ Jan 9th 2009 12:16PM

@Viridium,
with sony you have the option too, you can either go wireless or have a wired connection, you just don't have to shell out extra cash for the first one.

Note i have a 360 and PS3 I like them both for different reasons.

Van @ Jan 9th 2009 12:50PM

Yeah, with the PS3 you just have to spend the extra $100/200 bucks on the system even if you don't want all those extra features. And instead of buying a wifi adapter, get a bridge. Works just fine and cheaper.

GPX2 @ Jan 9th 2009 2:05PM

Yeah the WiFi is the ONLY thing that debate has justified even though NOBODY should game over WiFi.

However if they compared the Elite (which I think is the same price) different story, and for heavens sake chance PS3 online to limited...it almost functions the same as the Wii.

ryuk @ Jan 9th 2009 2:20PM

My comment read more like mindless babblings than anything meaningful and thus, it's been edited. Sorry!

Yamagushi @ Jan 9th 2009 2:28PM

Correction to Sony's BS.

System: Xbox 360 Elite | PS3 80gb
Price: 399$ | 399$
Wifi: No | Yes
HDD: Yes(120gb) | Yes(80gb)
Online: Yes(Free or 50$ Yearly) | Yes(Free)
HD Gaming/Movies: Yes(HD-dvd/Online) |Yes(Bluray/Online)
HDMI Output: Yes(Cable Included) | Yes(Cable Not Included)
Headset: Yes(Included) | Yes(Not Included)
Controller: Yes(Charger and Battery Included) | Yes(Charger and Battery Included)
In-box Games: Yes(2 included) | No

Doesn't seem like such a good deal when you compare it fairly huh? Comparing the cheapest 360 to the most expensive PS3 is absurd. Sony's a bunch of assholes.

xnowandtheworldx @ Jan 9th 2009 2:56PM

@yamagushi

You also have to remember that HD-DVD is now dead. One other thing I like more on my PS3 than my XBOX360 is that I can upgrade my HDD on my PS3. I love my XBOX360 and my PS3, both have great features, both are great consoles. But I don't really think HD-DVD feature on the Elite really warrants anything towards it. I don't even see HD-DVD to buy in stores anymore. :\

Mike @ Jan 9th 2009 8:33PM

@Yamagushi: since when does the Xbox 360 Elite comes with an HD-DVD player? And I'm not sure if you noticed, but the list you compiled actually makes the Xbox 360 MORE expensive.

Seriously, check your math. You just made the Xbox 360 cost $500 for a 120 GB hard drive, whereas Sony's version has it for $450. The only difference is now you get to play Kung Fu Panda.

Michael W @ Jan 10th 2009 10:54PM

My Xbox didn't come with an HDMI or component cable (Jasper arcade), no big deal, I can get HDMI cables all day long at MonoPrice. What is criminal is the fact that I can't get optical audio out of the Xbox. They saved what, 50 cents by not including the audio connection? On top of that bullsh1t, the only audio dongle that will work is one that costs $50, all the 3rd party ones and other ones physically interfere with the HDMI port. It's completely idiotic.

Blaze463 @ Jan 11th 2009 10:13PM

@yamagushi

System: Xbox 360 Elite | PS3 160gb
Price: 399$ | 499$
Wifi: No($99 sold seperate) | Yes
HDD: Yes(120gb) | Yes(160gb)
Online gaming: Yes(One month free, 50$ Yearly after that) | Yes(Free)
HD Gaming/Movies: Yes($52-$145 discontinued HD-dvd drive sold seperate. Hd-dvd movies are no longer made./Online) |Yes(Bluray/Online)
HDMI Output: Yes(Cable Included) | Yes(Cable Not Included)
Headset: Yes(Included) | Yes(Not Included, any bluetooth headset works well)
Controller: Yes(wireless, rumble) | Yes(wireless bluetooth, enhanced rumble)
In-box Games: Yes 2(Lego indiana jones and Kung Fu Panda >_>) | Yes 2(UNCHARTED: DRAKES FORTUNE and Pain)

THAT is the most expensive PS3 model. Get your facts straight.

bboston7 @ Jan 10th 2009 3:09AM

To all the ill informed who say you should never game on wifi, you should know that Wireless G has a limit of 54mbps. N has a limit of 300mbps. The fastest internet in the US is 50mbps. Wireless shouldn't create latency unless you're 360 is next to a microwave.

Tehseen Hussain @ Jan 10th 2009 3:24AM

Don't forget that the 20GB Playstation 3's did not come with Wireless. Now they do but still they did produce one that did not have WIFI.

Mal F4cti0n @ Jan 10th 2009 7:09PM

Yamagashi was saying that you can watch HD movies from the online download system, not that it comes inlcuded with an HD-DVD player

Stubs24 @ Jan 12th 2009 10:34AM

As far as HDMI goes, i dont think that is a valid excuse on Sony's part for not supplying an HDMI cable. I bought my 360 when they started putting HDMI ports on the 20gig models and i saw no such HDMI cable present. Besides, HDMI cables are $5 nowadays, no biggy in my book. Although, i do agree that the wireless adapter. Thank Raptor Jesus I got mine for free from a friend who never used it. Time to price cut that monkey!

yolarrydabomb @ Jan 12th 2009 11:00AM

I rather use Lan Cable.

Wireless is not that great for gaming even if its a wireless-n

Dralthi @ Jan 9th 2009 10:53AM

I'm so tired of the, "my console's wang is bigger then yours," debate.

Just make great games people. That's all that matters in my opinion.

emirabal @ Jan 9th 2009 11:08AM

Iam with you on this, i have to say i dont even hate the PS3, i hated these dumb wars when it was nintendo and sega and i hate it now, its pointless, i think with this generation we have less to argue about when it comes to games and which system they are on, but there are a few out there. Keep the games coming (and the game companies realize they make more when its multi platform).
Here is to seeing Little Big Planet on 360 one day and heck even God f War, ill take a stab at it. i know it wont happen but a gamer can dream cant he, or will nintendo try and take that from me.

Seanross @ Jan 9th 2009 12:30PM

But what if my console's wang IS bigger than yours?

c4v3man @ Jan 9th 2009 3:42PM

Is a wang standard on the X360, or is it an accessory? Can you enlarge it yourself, or do you have to purchase a Microsoft one?

That being said (after owning all 3), I'll take the 360 any day.

Brucie B @ Jan 9th 2009 10:54AM

All I want to know is:
Which system can you play Hi-Def out the box!

HazyCloud @ Jan 9th 2009 11:00AM

Not the Arcade, but at least you get component in the Pro and HDMI and component in the Elite. +1 for you.

xenocidic @ Jan 9th 2009 11:09AM

It may not have the HDMI cable (+$10) but every single Xbox 360 Arcade has HDMI output, so the above chart is erroneous.

Doug @ Jan 9th 2009 11:37AM

Technically the only console that plays high def out of the box is the 360, in its Pro and Elite variations. The PS3 doesn't come with the necessary cables to do so, while the 360 Pro (component) and Elite (HDMI) do.

jax sedrin @ Jan 9th 2009 10:56AM

They forgot a PS3 headset. And not everyone needs a wi-fi adapter.

Those two things close the gap quite a bit.

SurfMurph @ Jan 9th 2009 11:35AM

Agreed. The lack of wi-fi is a strawman. I don't need wi-fi, and don't need to buy the adapter. I use an Ethernet cable.

myabsolution @ Jan 9th 2009 11:43AM

why dont they re-release the PS3 without Wi-Fi and with a tiny harddrive (20gb)... and sell it for $299?

Why on earth did they discontinue that model?

That is their needed price-cut right there.

Turbo Choppa @ Jan 9th 2009 12:01PM

You can use any bluetooth headset for PS3, a decent one going for around $20. There are also options for getting the "official" wireless headset bundled with either SOCOM (59.99 for game AND headset), or Endwar (89.99).

Alex @ Jan 9th 2009 1:20PM

SurfMurph, An ethernet that comes with the 360 too.

Grant @ Jan 9th 2009 1:22PM

"why dont they re-release the PS3 without Wi-Fi and with a tiny harddrive (20gb)... and sell it for $299?"

Too bad it wouldn't be comperable to the 360, the premium now comes with a 60GB HD. Not to mention I'm sure dropping the HD size would cut maybe $30 and the wifi probably costs $15-20.

Mazrael @ Jan 9th 2009 1:29PM

Only thing the PS3 has that I'd want on 360 is the Gigabit ethernet (then I'd need to buy a new router too)

Anticrawl @ Jan 9th 2009 1:55PM

@Turbo Choppa

Decent bluetooth headset? You do realize that is an oxymoron right? There may be 5-6 decent bluetooth headsets and only one or two that are really reasonably priced. Your best bet for a bluetooth headset that is decent is the Platronics Voyager 520 and it goes for 40 bucks online and 70 retail. Most headsets struggle to get 4 hours of battery and have terrible noise reduction (if at all) lots of hiss and cracking. We need to abandon this awful tech until the world is ready to adopt blue laser tech. However the 360's wireless headset that works with standard acceptable wireless radio waves is an very functional piece of equipment and much better battery life.

I wish I didn't have to buy a bluetooth hedset for my PS3 but I did and I guess the 520 is somewhat acceptable but it is sad that it is one of the best on the market today.

Mal F4cti0n @ Jan 10th 2009 7:17PM

That is my whole point, Jax.

I don't want wifi on my gaming system, so to force me to pay an additional $150 on the console because it is such a great value is not for me.

It is like selling a car with, say, 19" rims and then comparing it to a car with 17" rims. The salesman would say, "buy this car with 19" stock rims because it will save you $3,500 later when you HAVE to put 19" rims on the other car."

Wait a minute, who says I HAVE to put 19" rims on my car, why can't I spend $3000 less on a car that is nearly equal in everything else (engine power, handling, most other features, etc.) but only has 17" rims. What if I want 17" rims because, in my mind, it provides a smoother ride in the car (you don't feel the bumps as much).

A car company that FORCED all of its buyers to pay a premium price for those rims will not do as well as the other company who gives the consumer an OPTION.

JustinP8 @ Jan 9th 2009 10:58AM

I guess they "forgot" to add quality of online play, and number of good games available...

Those numbers would be hard to objectively quantify and embarrassing though. With that in mind, I guess I'd better buy a PS3 like right now...wait, that would suck.

-.- @ Jan 9th 2009 11:20AM

You say it like ps3 has no good games, lets be honest now BOTH consoles now have pretty GREAT games on them now.

and if anyone thinks a game is undoubtably crap before playing it thier morons.

JustinP8 @ Jan 9th 2009 11:26AM

Yeah, they probably have a few good ones out. If I had HDTV, a Bluray player would be nice. In all honesty, I just like the controller for xbox better. I never really got into the Playstation scene. I bought a PS2, and after a year or so sold it for xbox. Marketing just makes me laugh. You can't really objectively quantify value...only price. Value is all up to individuals really.

Prox @ Jan 9th 2009 11:52AM

-.- said...
"...thier morons."

Priceless.

OO Deagle OO @ Jan 9th 2009 6:32PM

lolz

Brandisis @ Jan 9th 2009 11:00AM

I just got my XBox 360 just last month and I got the elite for the same price as the PS3. Yeah, it doesn't have WiFi but since my internet connection is right next to my television, I don't need it. My hard drive is larger and I have HDMI output with the cables.

The only price difference is the $50 per year for the online support, but I'll gladly pay that for Xbox Live over Playstation's home.

The real reason I went with the 360 over the PS3 is the game library, pure and simple. I went through the games that are out for both and I liked the 360 games better, plus the games that were not exclusive were offered for less money on the used market making up for that $50 Online support cost.

amart @ Jan 9th 2009 11:06AM

plus you can get your XBL subscription for like 30-40% off if you look around places like amazon.

Brandisis @ Jan 9th 2009 11:10AM

Which is exactly what I did (except I got mine at newegg).

bioadam @ Jan 9th 2009 11:02AM

Sony's comparison is bunk for the current Xbox 360 or the Xbox 360 Elite. But for arcade owners and those of us struggling to install games onto our 20GB hard drives, Sony makes a good point. Microsoft's add-ons are expensive enough that I sometimes lament picking the Xbox 360 over the PS3.

amart @ Jan 9th 2009 11:03AM

Ya, a headset, not to mention a remote (which should be included if they are marketing it as a blu-ray player), and hdmi cables. Then we have the fact that it includes NO games whatsoever. So yes you can pay 399 to take the damn thing home with you, but you can't even play your ZERO games in HD.
What else, hmm I really don't need wifi in my house, and none of my friends have the adapter either, seems like its a plus that you have the choice to omit this feature.
OH and if you want to play ps2 games like the 360 can play xbox games then throw on a 129$ PS2.
Give me a break.

Jcarpio @ Jan 9th 2009 11:10AM

This was a point i made in the joystiq post. but i got shouted down.

Not only do you get play 0 games in HD out of box with the PS3, you get to play 0 games period.

aggrazel @ Jan 9th 2009 11:04AM

I gotta admit the xbla fees are extremely annoying, if it were just the $50 a year it wouldn't be so bad I suppose, but I got 3 people on the same xbox with accounts, I wish they would make it $50 per year per xbox, that would be much more fair. As it is, if we all want to play Rock Band 2 with our friend 3 hours away, we all have to have gold accounts :(

triscuitbiscuit @ Jan 9th 2009 11:08AM

I would however much rather pay that $50 per year than deal with Sony's Home. I think XBL is a much better organized service than Sony's.

hplcman @ Jan 9th 2009 11:26AM

You don't have to deal with Sony's Home (which has gotten just a little better with the addition of the Red Bull Island). It's an added feature to their online service. Go on it and play or not. It's up to you. You can never download it and still get online to play games with your buds.