Its not about brand loyalty, but realizing that there is more value for money with the PS3. When I bought mine the triggering point was that not only would I get a next generation gaming machine, but I would also get a blu-ray player and a top notch media center solution. So I was able to ditch having an extra DVD/Blu-Ray player under my TV.
Also having access to cheap 'unlimited size' hard drive replacements was a sure win for me realizing that more and more of my media and game consumption would require large storage space available, not to mention not having to pay a Microsoft tax to play online.
If I on the other hand had gone with an xbox, I would today still be paying for my online play, I would be paying through my teeth for relatively small hard drive upgrades, have a dead in the water HD-DVD drive attachment, no HDMI (no elite back in those days) and much more limited media file support.
So its not about brand loyalty, I did not own a PS2 or a PS1, last console I ever owned was a SNES. It is about evaluating your options and realizing that the package which has the lowest price on the cardbord box might not be the best value for money.
