Better Value? Sony's PlayStation 3 or Microsoft's Elite 360

[shams]

Here is some more food for thought for you all... 1. MS are overcharging for the Elite because its *new*. Lots of people WILL buy one - even at this price. Once they sell as many as they want, they can drop the price as needed. Figures already show that the premium model is easily outselling the basic model. 2. I still don't see how this *hurts* MS. Unlike Nintendo, MS have always been into the "HD generation". The HDMI option gives users that WANT a HDMI connection an option to buy a 360 - the black colour will also interest additional gamers - and the larger hard drive is nice for people using it for IP TV. The value may well suck - but I think there is an argument that the value for the Premium model (compared to the basic) sucks as well ;) And Im not even going to start on the "value" of the PS3. ... Regarding online gaming, I never have agreed with MS's model. I understand *why* they do it - so they can offer a "premium" service, manage everything themselves, and generally get more money out of it - just don't agree with it. Like anything with a $ tag attached, it adds the "illusion" of value to the deal. It also gives them the ability to generate press by "dropping" the price, making it "free" (when it should be anyway), and doing a bunch of other things. With Sony's service, its assumed that its free - and you'll get the opposite press - people bitching about having to pay for *anything* on there (and Sony will charge for a lot of things), service not being perfect, not comparing to Live, etc. 12 months of "free" gold membership is actually pretty cool - who knows what state all consoles will be in, in 12 months time - or whether gold membership still exists in a paid form at all. EDIT: Sorry, make that 1 month. That's pretty lame then ;) 3 months at least - 12 months would be cool.