I was being purposly expensive, the WiiU can use a 3TB HD but only formats it to 2TB. (This was added with the December 2012 OS patch.)

The USB Charge cable is for the WiiU GamePad it is more of a convience thing, then actually needed because the GamePad comes with an AC adapter. Again as I said I was being purposly expensive for those who like to say what about this to get a "complete" gameplay experience.

this is stupid. it says required cost then it includes things that arent required. like mulitple games and controllers.

and then it tries to factor in tax, but somehow it concludes tax will be the same, even though xbox cost more than playstation. tax deals in %. by the fact of xbox costing more, means it will have more tax.

dumb article.

I agree that the OP is a little misleading because of the assumptions made.  I'd rather see it in tiers (entry level as bare minimum cost of system, starter level with online service and a game or two/indie game, and a full package including cameras, charging kits/costs of batteries, headsets, aforemention online service and games).  But either way, it looks like PS4 is cheaper regardless.

If you want the most entry level, PS4 is $100 dollars cheaper (in the states, cheaper in other countries also, but I forget the breakdown off the top of my head).  If you want to see prices for a configuration with just online services (the games will be priced the same so I'll just leave that out), PS4 is cheaper even further, because its online service is $10 dollars cheaper.  The final configuration is probably closest, because PS players have to adopt an PS Eye (which will be $60), but its still $40 dollars less than the $100 premium of XB1.  And seeing how PS Eye has done in the past, I doubt that configuration will be any popular.

Everything else is pretty much a wash.  The optional batteries/charging kit/$10 Live premium for XB1 balance the PS's optional purchase of a headset (which is optional because every box comes with a earset, flimsy yes, but useful in communication nonetheless).  The free fifa is great, but I am positive with my past PS+ experience that the service gives way more than $60 dollars in free games per year of service and is better than Live for freebies (I've had Live for longer so I'm not guessing here).  KI is a non issue, because PSN has its own scaled down online game for free: Drive Club.

If anything the entry level for PS4 offers even more value, because you can play f2p without PSN and stream netflix and use a bunch of services for free that Live doesn't allow.  So at the most entry level (assuming a consumer has no games, doesn't want psn or live) you get XB1's Fifa versus several f2p titles coming to PS4 (the only standout title I can think of atm is Planetside 2) and the ability to use services like hulu or netflix with your console for $500 to $400, respectively.

Is that what you wanted for a breakdown?

Are you seriously trying to suggest a Lithium battery doesn't wear out?

While Lithium batteries don't have memory, they absolutely wear out.  The life of a Lithium battery is really dependent upon the usage and charge cycle.  The hotter the battery gets, especially during charging, the shorter the battery life will be.  Ideally you don't allow a Lithium battery to drop below 30% charge and don't charge it beyond 90% capacity.  This way, you don't burn out the cells.

I've had a Lithium battery wear out in my cell phone before.  I've also had one explode.  When I worked in electronics, I routinely had to replace Lithium batteries for customers.  And more often than not, if someone has a laptop, it's a Lithium battery and if it's more than 3 years old it's likely worn out or severely degraded.

I highly doubt, unless you routinely charge it without letting it go down to nothing, that your DS3 controller's battery is 100%.  In fact, I hope you knocked on wood, because it's most likely not going to survive much longer. 

well it wouldn't be a fair comparison to the OP now would it? he didn't include the optional things in the total cost, nor the PSMove or a 3TB external/internal HDD

The difference is with the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, you replace the battery, not the controller.

Sony makes the battery integral to the controller, so replacing the battery isn't a simple procedure for the average consumer.  Not to mention, you have to find a source for it.

With the Xbox 360 and Xbox One, go to any retailer that offers gaming hardware/software, and you can pick-up a replacement battery.  While at launch they are only bundled in the Play and Charge Kit, my guess is that eventually they'll be available individually for less.  The point being, replacing a battery is a lot easier than replacing a controller and something someone doesn't even think twice about.

With that said.  Based on the information I have, the Xbox One's battery is Lithium.  The Xbox One controller, when connected via a Micro USB cable charges the battery and powers the controller.  When it's done charging the battery, it powers the controller.  That is, the battery isn't powering the controller.  As opposed to the Xbox 360, where the Play and Charge Kit for it charged the battery and powered the controller as well, but it would constantly cycle the battery if after being charged it was left connected.  Subsequently, using the play and charge kit killed the battery life.  The quick charger on the Xbox 360 or charging the Xbox 360 battery via the Play and Charge kit while you weren't playing was the better solution.

One of my original Xbox 360 batteries lasted for five years.  The other met an early demise after a few too many falls.

Nah.  I don't think an accurate breakdown is possible.  Heck, for me, even my Vita purchase was well over $500 on the first day thanks to some purchases that other people may or may not want.  Any breakdown is a waste of time, in my opinion.  I tend to know what I want and need and make sure I have enough walking into the store.  Heck, with the Wii, I had everything from games to controllers already paid for (I NEVER use the Pro Controller, btw.  It may still have it's original charge)!

I really came to this thread because I thought it was saying how much the consoles cost from R&D and marketing.  I'll leave the now.  No sense in me spoiling the fun.

I do agree with you there. It just boils down to how much the orginal box costs anyways. If you tried to make them comparable it may change considering what if you need to get a Vita for cross play on the PS4, which is the only time the PS4 would cost more then the Xbox One, if you want the "same" type of experience across all three platforms which if you wanted to get technical whould mean adding a smart device for the Xbox One and the Vita to the PS4, but that would be just plain facious.

Nope, not at all.

Honestly, from all the electronics that I own and have owned throughout the years most, (if not all) of my lithium batteries still work. I never had one flat out die on me. My OG PSP battery I have tucked away still charges and works just fine. Sure, some they might have degraded (haven't noticed this much at all tbh) on my old phones and laptops but they work. And besides.. I can just service the controller for a few quid if anything should go wrong with it.

Ah. Okay, I see. :) Still though, why would someone purchase 3TB hard drive when they can only use 2TB on their Wii U? They can't even use the extra on their PC after it's formated to the Wii U.