I didn't think the Elite was a good idea or deal a week ago, and I stand by that today. The PS3 has some great features and options. With the 360's price coming dangerously close to that of the 20 GB PS3, a comparison of the two leaves the 360 as the loser. MS's overpriced add-ons and pay subscription service for on-line play make the 360 more expensive if you try to upgrade it to match a similarly configured PS3. MS should have priced this new model at $400, dropped the Premium to $300-$350, and seriously considered discontinuing the Core. (While both systems are quite powerful and probably worth their MSRP, I think they are too expensive at this time to reach the mass market. I won't be buying either until they drop in price significantly.)

This is a good question. I have been thinking about this recently. I say as value or 'bang for your buck' would be the 360 Elite. Why? 1. Right now the free part of Sony's online has only one benefit over MS silver package and that is actually playing games. However, with the silver package and MS new 160HD I can download HD movies and such. Until HOME is officially release Sony's overall online package just doesn't compare. 2. The 360 Elite is $120 less with 1/2 the hard-drive, which is important for my #1. The Blu-ray player is less important to me as I would rather DL the movie for less money than buying the Blu-ray disc. The the player in itself is a great value for that $120 never the less. 3. Most importantly the current game options are by far a better selection than what PS3 has to offer and that is the most important part of value to a GAME SYSTEM. So, for now I would feel much more cozy and warm buying a 360 Elite than the PS3. However, the separate upgrade price of $180 for the 120G harddive is a huge ripoff for current 360 owners. If I am not mistaken though they could just buy a usb external drive for probably half that cost.

I don't think a $4 HDMI cable will hold much weight on anyone decision to purchase a $400+ console.

ps3 is absolutely much better and convenient....... 360 elite is already old right now!!

Thanks MS Now the PS3 looks way better when its compared. And they are actually following Sony's steps. I've argued many times with 360 fanboys and their points were almost the same every single time. * It has HDMI!!! SO NOT MANY PEOPLE GOT HDTVs!!!11!!! * 60 GB!!! Who is ever going to use that much?????? * I want a gaming console, NOT AN ENTERTAINING SYSTEM OR CHEAP BLU-RAY PLAYER!!!!!! First they added the HD DVD add on, and now this. Oh, and its black just like the PS3 xD This is funny. Now, when comparing both, the PS3 really looks better. I might be wrong about this but doesn't the XBOX Live cost $20 to register + $50 for a year? If it is, considering MS said it themselves "6 out of every 10 360 owners use XBOX Live" that means most of those owners would end up paying $550 and $600 a year later, same as a 60 GB PS3 but no blu-ray, wi fi, card readers, etc...

70$ register for the 1st year then 50$ to extend the account for another 12 months.. as Lame as MS can be... You know why Sony has free online? Because they can freaking afford it... You'd think with all the money microsoft makes with their Windows and computer system they could afford it to, but NO! and the xbox public actually showed everyone how stupid they are... Playing for stupid gamer score that gives you... NOTHING. They are just freaking... numbers!! The fanboys would say "I can show my friends!" "What? NUMBERS?!!?" Show them some true skills, like PS3's video trophies, anyone? Or if you feel like it, invite your friend to your REAL home and show him how it's done. Bragging about numbers is freaking stupid. It's just the like extras in GoW and GoW2... they are not numbers, they are things you can squeeze these for more play time.. for more value for your money. If LIVE and achievements go in one's mind as value for his money.. that guy is freaking DUMB. And Kamahl, I've had this arguement with EVERY 360 fanboy I encountered.. it's like they have this underground place where they discuss reasons not to buy the PS3 and MS just puts those reasons on the 360!! with a higher price! DUMBEST MOVE EVER! Seriously, the Eilte=SHIT. It even rhymes!! And Sony never plans on revising their consoles.. and not including the HDMI cable gives the consumer a choice "Do you wanna go HD or not??" and it's only 4 dollars for the cheapest one, and they all work! the difference in the price is the materials used.. that's all! . That's another 360 fanboy arguement "MS GIVES US THE CHOICE!! *WHINE*"... the choice between so-not-worth-the-money consoles.. who would actually buy the Core??! Who is stupid enough to shell out 300 dollars for a PS2-feel-alike, when they can get a real PS2 for 120$?? Can you N-boys think about it?? Which console currently has the better games? The 360 or the PS2? They're so pathetic.

Here is some more food for thought for you all... 1. MS are overcharging for the Elite because its *new*. Lots of people WILL buy one - even at this price. Once they sell as many as they want, they can drop the price as needed. Figures already show that the premium model is easily outselling the basic model. 2. I still don't see how this *hurts* MS. Unlike Nintendo, MS have always been into the "HD generation". The HDMI option gives users that WANT a HDMI connection an option to buy a 360 - the black colour will also interest additional gamers - and the larger hard drive is nice for people using it for IP TV. The value may well suck - but I think there is an argument that the value for the Premium model (compared to the basic) sucks as well ;) And Im not even going to start on the "value" of the PS3. ... Regarding online gaming, I never have agreed with MS's model. I understand *why* they do it - so they can offer a "premium" service, manage everything themselves, and generally get more money out of it - just don't agree with it. Like anything with a $ tag attached, it adds the "illusion" of value to the deal. It also gives them the ability to generate press by "dropping" the price, making it "free" (when it should be anyway), and doing a bunch of other things. With Sony's service, its assumed that its free - and you'll get the opposite press - people bitching about having to pay for *anything* on there (and Sony will charge for a lot of things), service not being perfect, not comparing to Live, etc. 12 months of "free" gold membership is actually pretty cool - who knows what state all consoles will be in, in 12 months time - or whether gold membership still exists in a paid form at all. EDIT: Sorry, make that 1 month. That's pretty lame then ;) 3 months at least - 12 months would be cool.