Xbox 360 vs PS3

after working in the gaming industry for the past few months, i've realized a lot of things between the two competing next generation consoles, the xbox 360 and ps3. each console has its pros and cons in the epic battle of which is supreme.

i used to think the 360 was better because it was a lot cheaper and had a lot of good games on it, such as gears of war and halo. if i really had to compare the two over a long period of time, i believe the ps3 will win out and is much more worth your money.

so lets start w/ the ps3.. people say that the ps3 is a waste w/o an HDTV which is true since its all blu ray. so we're just going to assume here that you already have an HDTV for both consoles.

a 160GB ps3 slim right now is retailed at $300 and comes wireless ready, standard AV cables, free PSN membership and one recharable controller w/USB cable.

a 4gb 360 slim right now is retailed at $200 and comes with 1 controller, 1 headset, composite AV cables, wireless ready, and one month Gold membership for LIVE.

already it seems 360 is better with it being $100 less. in the beginning it may seem 360 is better but lets see this in the LONG run say... 5 years.

for the 360. lets assume you're not going to be replace batteries in the controllers like a mad man and will be getting recharable batteries, which is aproximately $15 (4pack) and then the charger which is another $20. extra controllers are $50 each. of course you have to play online so 12+1 months of gold membership is $60. so for a full system, rechargable batteries for all controllers, and on going LIVE acct for 5 years..
-initial system $200
-3 more controllers $150
-rechargable batteries + charger ($15x2)=$30 + $20 = $50
-LIVE for 5 years = $250
so for the 5 years alone of using a 360 equates to $650+ given that you bought everything retail.

for the ps3. no need for extra batteries because ps3 controllers come recharable. online? psn is free and now there is PSN plus for a fee but not necessary like xbox. the ps3 can support up 7 controllers at once so lets say you're nuts and get the rest of em which is $50 each. so in the first 3 years its going to be..
-initial system $300
-6 more controllers $300
all together its goin to be $600 for the 5 years.

in just 5 years you spend around $100 dollars less if not more. chances are you're not going to get 7 controllers, in fact you'll probably just get 3 more at most which will be $150 less so in 5 years you spend $150 less if not more. on top of that with the 360, you have to keep paying for LIVE... so every year you will be shelling out more just to play online.

now this all according to retail price.. i'm sure you can get cheaper deals on BOTH through whatever means and numbers can vary but in the end, the one that will one win out is ps3 with its recharable controllers, free psn, and BLU RAY!!! so everyone out there, do yourself a favor and get a ps3. it might hurt more initially but in the end, its A LOT more worth it.