You can easily build a PC that is vastly superior to the 360 for the cost of the 360 elite (about 400 dollars). It will have 8x the hard drive space, free online play, cheaper games and better graphics (plus full functionality like...say...a working browser).
You can get a 1TB drive for 60 bucks, a quality graphics card like the 9800 or 8800 for about 80, a solid core 2 duo for around 120 bucks, a case for 40 dollars, a DVD drive for 30 bucks (hell a blu ray can be had for 70) and a decent motherboard for 70. Even if you don't shop around and pay a bit more for the components you'll make up even a 100 dollar difference in less then a year between saving 10 dollars or more per game and 50 dollars for online play.
Also pretty much every 360 game thats any good will run on the PC and if you compare the 360 exclusive library with the PC exclusive library the PC will win every time. You can even use Xbox live (well called Windows live on the PC) if you're so inclined, achievements and all.
Also when you upgrade you don't have to pay the full cost, you can sell the old part and buy the new. It isn't like the 360 is upgrade free, everyone who bought a formerly high end 20GB 360 now has a hard drive far too small to hold all the new content (especially installing games to the 360 HD) which means a 1st party upgrade to a tiny 120GB drive for the huge cost of 129.99. I could upgrade both the graphics card and get a 500GB hard drive for the same cost as upgrading just the 360 hard drive to 120GB.
That the 360 is the cost effective option is a myth. They sell it cheap up front then nickel and dime you with the online play charges, the expensive 1st party upgrades (99 dollars for wireless? please) and all the rest.
PSN ID: ChosenOne feel free to add me
