As a person who always try to be less biase as possible I think it makes sense to think PS3 might stay longer on the market than 360.

Theres no way to say anything for sure. Kinect might become the "it" item. But what is sure is that we already have a couple of reasons that would justify PS3 being longer on the market. Hardware and software selling on average about the same with an entry price point still at 299$ vs 199$, HDTV/3DTV and blu ray gaining more grounds VS no blu ray/3D. Last but not least, sony's history of supporting their console and even saying themselves they would support it for at least 10 years VS no history or word from Microsoft about a specific timeframe.

Dont get me wrong, its not a fact PS3 will last longer on the market than 360, but I think, at the moment, theres more reasons to think PS3 will. The dedication of Sony about the importance of supporting their console and their mean to do so (army of first/second party), by itself, is already a good reason to think so. The higher price point (more room to get new consumers by lowering the price than 360) and blu ray/3D add to that. Still, Kinect may change the situation for Microsoft.

It's not a car race.  The PS3 has sold faster per month and per year, but not fast enough to take the lead so nobody cares.  Both consoles exist at the same time in August 2010, when they're both competing for developers, publishers, shelf space at retail, attention at game conventions, and consumer dollars.  That all happens at the same time.  And they'll both fade away at about the same time since neither of them are the market leader.  It'll be just as fast as when the XB and GC faded away.

Sorry, that's not how it works. Thanks for playing.

The time you stay on the market isnt only determine by wether or not your the market leader. Theres more factors to take into consideration. You can be the worst selling thing for 5 years and stays longer on the market because at the 6th years you start selling more than your competitors. Not saying this is a likely situation, just saying that theres more factors to take into consideration. Also, I dont understand why would other companies drop support at around the same time because they arent the leader.

Whenever the next generation starts, everybody but the market leader stops selling really really fast.  Happens every generation.  It happened with NES, SNES, PS1, PS2, and GBA.  It'll happen with the DS and the Wii as well.

Do not be so sure of that..the reason being is the current devices have something in common that the previous generation system's do not have..that is they are less static. just because the more robust hardware comes out will not mean these system's will fade away fast, the reason being is the new system's will have access to the same networks and content that these system's have access to, but on the same token these current system's also have access to the same content, and most likely will. if you notice these system's less so for the Wii, but still the Wii has less static viability as the xbox360 and PS3 but still more than the previous generation's who had way less than the Wii.

The point is there is less an less of a hurry for someone to upgade than before, but Also take in to consideration the multiple SKU's that both the PS3 and the xbox360 have brought to the market..you do not think these quick burst of purchases and slight upgrades are not going to continue?

look at all 3

Nintendo: just look at what they have done with the DS>DSlite>DSi>etc..more than anything they have been upgrading the Ds but still it's a DS

Sony: PSP>PSP Lite>PspGo but it's still the PSP

Microsoft: XBOX360 arcade>pro>elite>s but it's still an xbox360

the upgrade with small burst in sales works instead of putting out a new system slight upgrades seem to be working wonder's. do you honstly see this stopping anytime soon?

it may , but since it seem's to be working very well for all three, i think it's more inline to keep them arround as much as they can.

well....

I guess the OP is new

Whether we go by VGC numbers of the manufacturers numbers, Xbox 360 has, up to this point, sold more consoles. No question about that. It's a simple and objective fact.

Also, it doesn't matter if the PS3 wasn't being sold when the Xbox 360 went to retail for the first time. That's life for you, it's not fair and it doesn't wait for your convenient time window.

Now, what I do find possible is the Xbox 360 actually having a very high attach ratio and less consoles in homes at the moment, being used as game machines, mainly due to the widespread RROD and the current wave of new 360 Shorts replacing old 360s. In effect, I think it's possible that the PS3 is actually, shall we say, ahead of Xbox 360 in the number of consoles with a home and being used as gaming machines. I believe there are many 360s left for dead, in transit and out on the market due to the reasons I've previously stated.

It's merely what I think is the current state of affairs, based on the assumptions that the shipment figures for both consoles are quite similar, the 360 sells mainly to a heavily hardcore american and british audience that buys a ton of games, which would justify the very high attach ratio, and the mechanical problems the 360 faced, having led to millions of replacement units, as well as the current replacements with the new 360 Short.

We can't really prove it. But it's my theory.

The PS3 will be in the market at least 2 full years after the 360 is discontinued.

The next xbox will be able to play all 360 games and MS will follow their footsteps and kill off the 360.

Well then you can say goodbye to Sony in the console business if they think the PS3 will compete with the next gen consoles for 2 years if even at all. And no MS will not kill off the 360 when the new one is complete. The 360 will be around just as long as the PS3 will. In case you didn't notice it is outselling the PS3.