PS2 silent? No way

 I still don't get why the PS3 in't efficient, there's no heating problems, unless you put it in a very small totally enclosed space (so a hi-fi rack kinda thing is OK), no one has reported any serious problems with it stability wise, and although it uses more power than previous gens, and it can use up to 350W or whatever the PSu is, it normally uses well under 250V I think, which is half your average PC really. Also, the PS2 not cheap?!? You can get one brand new for like £80, which means it's probably the cheapest console in the UK ever! Also, I agree Dryden, the top loading consoles really increase the size, so having a fron loading disk drive effectively reduces the size.

My Ideal Console The Hardware 499.99 USD @ launch 149.99 after 5 years and 79.99 after 10 years Built in HD standerd disc format for games and movies Built in HDD for streaming and downloading Xbox 360 controller + motion + Playstation eye for user input Keyboard and Mouse support via blutooth Dual HDMI for audio and video 7 USB ports Best CPU, GPU, Memory, And buses available built in wifi Linux support Software and Services 29.99 AAA games , 19.99 for yearly releases and movie movies 14.99 after 5 Mil Top notch online service TVIP, VOD, Music, Movies, TV all in one service Episodic game content, game liberary for all console made by manufacturer Small pick up and play games on internet store Exactly what Home is A few other musts are custom sound tracks, GUI acces during gameplay, and the ability to stay relivent for ten years. This may not be the ideal console for some so please don't bash like 12 year olds. This is what I want from a console, I want to put on bow under my TV that does everything for me

The GameCube was the perfect place to put a cup. You placed the cup on the black circle on top. So, the GC must be efficient.

Tispower
"I still don't get why the PS3 in't efficient, there's no heating problems, unless you put it in a very small totally enclosed space (so a hi-fi rack kinda thing is OK), no one has reported any serious problems with it stability wise, and although it uses more power than previous gens, and it can use up to 350W or whatever the PSu is, it normally uses well under 250V I think, which is half your average PC really. Also, the PS2 not cheap?!? You can get one brand new for like £80, which means it's probably the cheapest console in the UK ever! Also, I agree Dryden, the top loading consoles really increase the size, so having a fron loading disk drive effectively reduces the size."

I have better than an average PC and it typically draws only 120W, which is half of "normally uses well under 250W" Even playing Americas Army (just a game i typically play, as i don't really have any other games) with every setting max it doesn't take much more than 200W. I wouldn't consider the PS3 wasteful in terms of energy use, but it is no where near what I would call "efficient"

The PS3 next year, for $200, Halo 3, and rumble in the SIXAXIS' (smaller version if you wish)

I think the combination of good price, good graphics, a worked out concept and many great games of course, is a console's holy grail. A bit like the snes was, the succesor of a pioneer, back to kick ass with great, evolved, games.

All systems, exept Sega, which I do not know good enough:

snes
yes
yes
yes
yes

n64
no
yes
yes/no (the concept was new, but prove to be worked in the end)
yes

NGC
yes
yes
yes
yes

GB
yes
no
no
yes

PS1
yes
yes
no
yes

PS2
no (not until its competition arrived)
no (it wasn't as good as xbox/gc)
yes
yes

XBOX
yes (as soon as GC came out)
yes
no (MS had no prior console experience)
yes

DS
yes
yes/no (not as good as PSP, but come on...)
yes/no (touchscreen is new, but I couldn't imagine how to improve it)
yes (a lot have already arrived; a lot are coming)

PSP
yes/no (ok, there have been so many price cuts, 250-160$)
yes (a big fat yes, the graphics of this machine are great)
yes (its a portable PS2, its technological capacity's have been explored before)
yes/no (it has a high average, but no all-time classics)

Wii
yes
no
no
not yet

360
not yet (waitin' for the price cut)
yes
yes
yes

PS3
no
yes
yes
no

As you can see, the Wii scores low, but I think that's because of the new concept of moving and the choice to make it inexpensive(cutting the graphics).
As you can see, almost every eveolved platform scores high, meaning working out a concept is good for platform quality.

 I think that with the recent consoles, we'll have to wait for the good price and the great games, it will come in time (we hope!)

 I correct myself then. I'm pretty shocked about that, as I thought many PCs now had PSU in excess of 300W, perhaps I was wrong then. Actually, definately wrong: http://gaming.engadget.com/2007/02/21/nintendo-wii-beats-up-on-the-competition-in-power-savings/

As you can see, the Wii hardly uses any power at all, but the PS3, xBox 360 and PC use about the same amount. It seems it's the DVD playback that uses up a load of power, so it would be interesting to work out what the total wattage of a Wii and DVD player was... 

Oops nm...