I'd say those people already got a 360 tho.

It is so sad that 500-600 USD have become some sort of norm now with PS3 out of the door. How shall gaming become mass market if everything will cost more than the avarage Joe want to pay? So this is crap according to me. The price is as eatrice pointed out not very cheap either comparing to a PS3. The only thing I can guess is that Microsoft gambles on the downloaded movies/music will be bigger than blu-ray

Honestly, I don't think the HDMI is very important. Someone remind me what the rule is for watching HD movies without HDMI. Does it go down to a lower resolution? And that's note even implemented yet, right? Anyway, the 360 already has a VGA connection which to me is more convenient because you can connect it directly to a monitor. I had to buy an adapter. Also, VGA gives you the same resolutions that HDMI does, and higher. The signal is virtually the same quality. Digital versus analog is not really an issue there. VGA has been used for years with monitors that output at much higher than 1080p (that's just 1920x1080 in monitor terms, btw, and I've run 1600x1200 for years). Anyway, the cheap cable and HD is worth the $80 (unless you don't get a notebook drive which would be about $70 for the same value), but what about all the people that already have the 360? Now, 9 million+ will have to pay a ridiculous $180 to upgrade to 120GB, whereas PS3 owners need just $50-80. All the owners of the PS3s just saved another $100-130 on current 360 owners. Using the low estimate of $100 (both would have to buy cables), that evens out the price for the premium 360 versus ps3 core, with the ps3 having more features and an HDMI port already. That's not a great choice for current owners. At least current 360 core owners didn't already pay for a HD and can upgrade. But for $180 they don't have a headset, ethernet cable, or wireless controller included. Also, developers will still be hesitant to provide options for HD support since the Core version without an included HD is still out there. Ninja Gaiden Sigma for the PS3 will have an option to entirely install the game to the HD (as per PSM April issue).

Except Sony has hinted very strongly that they will have downloadable content as well. They can easily offer up all of their Sony movies that Microsoft would not have access to. Universal might be the only distributer that wouldn't support the PS3's downloadable content, considering they are linked to Microsoft through NBC I believe? I think that's the connection that caused them both to support HD-DVD, correct me if I'm wrong. Anyway, Sony can add those features to Home if they wish.

windbane - those features are on the list of things they plan on adding I thought...

Wow. Just wow. This war between 360 and PS3 is so absurd...

Digital vs. Analog is something I see downplayed a lot, and it bothers me because I think most haven't seen the difference. Yes, VGA gives you the same resolution, but that doesn't mean you get the same image. The more pixels you try to cram into an analog signal, the more interference you get. Ever seen an LCD monitor with VGA, right next to the same LCD monitor with DVI? The difference is instantly noticeable -- with DVI you get the exact contents of the framebuffer, with VGA you get an approximation. Anyway, that aside... I still think the Elite isn't going to be much help for MS. I don't think people who are buying a PS3 instead of a 360 are basing their decision on the size of the hard drive, or HDMI support. I also don't think anyone was waiting for the 360 to become more expensive; personally, I'm still waiting for it to get cheaper. And the fact that it doesn't include wireless is just absurd. Nintendo is the one who doesn't have their act together in terms of online support, yet the Wii includes wireless and a game for $250, and the $480 Xbox 360 Elite doesn't. I'll be damned, they want me to pay $100 for a $25 piece of hardware as an accessory. No thanks.

this clearly proves that the PS3 is not as "expensive" as everybody is making it out to be. With this, retailers are going to be pissed, and they will stop ordering the premium and the other 360 available. What will happen is, average Joe will go to the store, look at the diffrent specs, built in Wi-Fi, card reader, more USB ports, ohhh Blue Ray drive... yeah, I'll be getting the PS3 as apposed to the 120 gig HDD with HDMI..wow.. not even built in wifi..thats weak on MS part and is clearly going to show customers where the true bargain is..

you'd think so wouldn't you? nice first post.

480$ ? No, thanks.