This isn't true anymore.  All new 360's come with HDMI ports.

I will follow with unswerving obedience

May as well be sensible - CAN THIS THREAD BE SAVED?!?!!?

On the outside you can look at the Xbox360 as quite average or boring. I think this can cause people to underestimate the strengths of the system. If you're looking to compare it to any system, its probably closest to the PS2 - as im sure Microsoft was hoping to emulate that success. It pretty much follows the formula - content is king. Its been shown than Microsoft has been the most aggressive at aquiring unique content for its machine than the other two manufacturers. With the inclusion of Live to fix the PS2's online shortcomings and the media centre offerings of the original Xbox1 its more of a continuation of the traditional game console formula.

Architecturally its probably the best designed system overall. With the ease of development and porting between the PC/360 and the 360/PS3 it ensures that the system will always remain relevant to developers, and possibly the first port of call for developers working on their first current generation game. *System reliability != system architecture*

It does all the basics well as a games machine and does whats expected of it traditionally as a console quite well also. Its not a system about flash, or finesse and this is reflected IMO in the quite plain design. Therefore, because of its strengths - its a system that anyone whos unbiased would consider seriously as a potential purchase if looking at all three systems rationally.

still.... the 360's lead in week to week hardware is already gone, and soon software will be gone as well.

Don't you realize that the Xbox360 will have a ratio of 1.8:1 with the PS3 and 1.4:2 to the Wii at the end of the generation. Its because I predicted it. Because my prediction is as good as yours. Funny that huh?

@De85

Thanks' I didn't know that, also dissolute pointed out the Piracy thing - which since I don't keep up to date on Xbox360 much neither I knew about (ignorance maybe, lack of interest; definetly.) But it is healthy to note they did have this.

@d21lewis

Also to address the myth of the 1 year head start means leader - in fact the entire post seemed to be too subjective to view seriously, value is value - the market determines value, that is true... but that's not exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm commenting within the business strategy of Microsoft and the out puts, then the feed back. It's a full circle really - they lost money sure which in turn means they failed to meet whatever they expected - sure. (They being investors in Microsoft) but Microsoft minimized losses based on this I am amazed they are still around in the console business.

Also if your speaking within the terms of the quadranted markets decisions - then your dealing with subjective values and clearly having that 'graphical advantage' is actually a disadvantage within many of those quadrants. In some sections the graphical presentation may directly be leading to loss in sales and vice versa. But that's a whole other thread. >.>

Just saying most of your post was not definative on anything tangible within respects to market value decisions.

 There is a thread going around by ax-machina of when the PS3 will  equal the 360s week to week software sales, if you want to put your prediction in. 

it can be said of all three companies.

1. How does Sony sell 13 million consoles that cost $500 and has the least amount of games?
2. how does Nintendo Dominates this Gen using last Gen graphics
3. How does MS get away with ROD ?
4. why am i paying for college in the richest country in the world?

Dont't let me start.

You used a lot of big words, and therefore I concede. Hey, Dib8rman, I hate to sound like an idiot, but I'm what you call a layman. Could you break that last comment down into my terms?

What's so bizarre is that many who have jumped in find it very difficult to get out, even when they're on their seventh xbox.