1030°

Xbox 360 vs. PS3 costs comparison

It's been 2 to 3 years since the launch of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. There are new models and phased-out models for each. Mike Got Game recently poked around the costs associated for both consoles. See which one is really cheaper.
mikegotgame - contributor
Published: 187 days 10 hours ago | Article | PlayStation 3 | Xbox 360
 
 

1234Next »
Showing: 1 - 50 of 172 Comments
Shut this user up Let user speak
jack who - 187 days 16 hours ago
1 -
last i checked get rrod fixed was free
Shut this user up Let user speak
Godmars290 - 187 days 13 hours ago
1.1 -
If its RRoD. If its something, anything, else you're SOL.

Though honestly, the guy doesn't have a right to include repair costs into the total. That blows any legitimacy the article could have had.
Shut this user up Let user speak
SolidAhmed - 187 days 12 hours ago
1.2 - despite the fixed cost
everything else is true.

and i will add 100$ for the blue ray.

it is clear that the ps3 has the better value.
1.3 euchreprof | 187 days 11 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
Shut this user up Let user speak
leila01 - 187 days 10 hours ago
1.4 -
Add in a High definition TV and the X360 will cost you $1000 more than the PS3.

Seriously, this is a biased comparison.
Shut this user up Let user speak
sack_boi - 187 days 10 hours ago
1.5 -
Is the crap detector... err... I mean filter broken again?
Shut this user up Let user speak
leila01 - 187 days 10 hours ago
1.6 -
So, lets get this straight. The X360 is more expensive, and has no games, but yet outsells the PS3!
1.7 El Botto | 187 days 9 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
Shut this user up Let user speak
Jinxstar - 187 days 8 hours ago
1.8 -
This arti le reminds me of my pricewars blog here on n4g... Except mine was better... I hate low grade sites.
Shut this user up Let user speak
danofpaco - 187 days 7 hours ago
1.9 - E74 is covered under 3 year warranty.
@ above, E74 is covered under 3 year warranty.
Shut this user up Let user speak
FragMnTagM - 187 days 7 hours ago
1.10 - @el botto
"Its only free if you fall under the 3 year. A lot of early adapters are already outside the 3 year or will be soon.
And XBOX has more hidden costs like ERROR 74, disc scratching, low battery life etc that dont fall under the 3 year warranty."

A three year warranty for RROD is a good thing. Sony's warranty is only for 1 year. If you need anything after one year you are SOL unless you fork over some cash. One year on anything else that breaks on the 360 is not as bad as fanboys make it seem. Sure the fail rate is rather high (or was) but it is nowhere near the ridiculous state that a lot of fanboys make it out to be. My launch console failed on me one time, and it was my fault most likely for having the damned thing inside an entertainment center.

"And then there is XBOX LIVE. 50 bucks a year.

"but, but, buts its just 4.20 a month"

No, its 300 bucks for 6 years. 400 bucks for 8 years. 500 bucks for 10 years. XBOX 360 is claimed to have a 10 year life cycle + 1 day.

Free on PC and PS3 and even the wii."

Weak argument. I would rather pay for Live than have to wait for 3 plus years to get all of the features Live has had from the beginning on the PS3. Seriously, you brought the Wii into this? Friend codes ring a bell? Voice chat? I mean c'mon straw man.

"98% of its games are multi platform. The processor and graphics card cant match PS3s combination. It lacks harddrive, something that is needed for most games. It doesnt have true 1080P as it upscales the resolution. And it doesnt have true HDMI as it utilizes an older version. And the lack of a next gen format."

I don't think it is quite 98%, more like 85-90%. It is roughly the same ratio of multi platform as PS3. A hard drive is NOT needed for any game yet, unless you are talking about arcade games. I'll give you the upscale and the HDMI argument. If Blu Ray is teh future, why hasn't the PC adopted it yet, considering that it blows away both PS3 and XBOX 360 in terms of graphics and features? Shouldn't a PC be using Blu Ray? Oh wait, it still uses DVD9 and gets the job done.

"Conclusion. Even the gamecube is a better device than the 360. If you got money to burn, youre better off buying a real heater."

Gamecube < 360, that is complete fanboy rant failure right there. Also, the PS3 gets just as hot as the 360, if not hotter. Usually I don't call people out like that, but that comment was full of FAIL!
Shut this user up Let user speak
FamilyGuy - 187 days 7 hours ago
1.11 - That comparison sucked!
I could pull a better price comparison out my...
Anyways, why is this age old price debate being brought back up?

Everyone here knows the PS3 is "cheaper" but it isn't always about price so why should we read articles from such low quality sites with such low quality effort put in to their subjects?

Screw "Live cost blah blah blah"
lets bring up things that HAVE to be bought like batteries for the controllers or a recharge unit+recharge batteries.
The minuscule memory of the arcade models that HAS to be upgraded
What about the games that come bundle? Kung fu Panda, REALLY? Lego Indianan Jones? Sonic Super Stars Tennis?
Crappy games mean you HAVE to buy a good game right away, PS3 has had great game bundles and continues to. Resistance, MotorStorm, LBP, Metal Gear Solid, Uncharted, Gran Turismo Prologue. All are good for holding you over till your wallet can take a hit from an additional game purchase

After that stuff is mentioned THEN you compare the frills that real gamers want.
The Online support/functions/cost/social aspect
The Wifi
The HDD upgrades
the additional controllers
Blu-ray/Hd-Dvd players
The 5.1-7.1 Surround sound
The face-plates/appearance
The warranties
The failure rate and types of failures
The blu-tooth
The Six-axis
The cameras and games/uses
The multi-media capabilities
The up-coming motion controls
THE EXCLUSIVE GAMES

Gamers know what they want and don't need articles like this to tell them.
1.12 El Botto | 187 days 6 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
Shut this user up Let user speak
fermcr11 - 187 days 6 hours ago
1.13 -
Who the hell understands fanboys!!!!

Sometimes PS3 fanboys say the ps3 is more expensive then the X360, other times they say it's cheaper.

Make up your minds already. Fanboys are fanboys... they say what suits them at that specific time ... (when sales numbers come out!!!).
Shut this user up Let user speak
darkride66 - 187 days 4 hours ago
1.14 - Yeah, although this article certainly has a point, repair costs shouldn't be included.
Personally, I had to pay $170 twice to fix my 360...but that was eventually, and after a long fight, refunded back to me when Microsoft extended the warranty.

I wonder how many other's Microsoft tried to screw over like me who just weren't paying attention. It was reported when Microsoft extended the warranty that refund checks would automatically go out. Not only did that not happen with me, but I eventually had to fax MS my Visa statements because MS said they had no record of either of my repairs.
I wonder how many people simply didn't know Microsoft was offering rebates and MS just kept their money like they tried with me?

Edit Below: But he's acting like a repair is a certainty for the Xbox. It's not.
Shut this user up Let user speak
the_only_lol_king - 187 days 4 hours ago
1.15 - He is talking about..
When the warrenty is up.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Homicide - 187 days 4 hours ago
1.16 -
PS3 is selling pathetic considering that it's cheaper than the 360 ;)
Shut this user up Let user speak
darkride66 - 187 days 4 hours ago
1.17 - What do sales have to do with anything?
Actually, the PS3 in it's 2 1/2 years has moved just shy of 23 million consoles. The 360 at this point was only at 19 million. Obviously consumers have caught on to the PS3's value because they're adopting it much faster then they ever bought into the 360.
Shut this user up Let user speak
tplarkin7 - 187 days 3 hours ago
1.18 - My DVD drive broke. Fixed for free.
After playing Fable 2 (which spins faster than any game and at a constant rate), my DVD drive broke. It was fixed for free. I'm guessing it was a 1 year limit, but it could be 3 years.
Shut this user up Let user speak
darkride66 - 187 days 3 hours ago
1.19 - DVD drive is covered under the one year, not the 3 years.
It was just RROD/E74 that was covered under the 3 years. I know because I had a run in with a disk gouging unit that Microsoft sent me as a replacement. They refused to fix it even though they had just sent it to me two weeks prior because drive problems weren't covered by the 3 year. Thankfully, I had bought an extended warranty after my 2nd 360 went on me so that covered it. I don't know about now, but a couple of years ago a 2 year extended warranty cost an extra $75 from Microsoft.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Gamertags - 187 days 3 hours ago
1.20 - RROD
You know that MS extends the warranty each time you get a replacement system. I have had the 360 since day one and even though I am on my 5th system I have never paid a dime!

These figures are bull shet by the way. Haha

Wireless adapter?
RROD fees?
Network fees? You know you can get it cheaper right?

Playstation's die as well! You will have to pay as well and their warranty isn't half as good as the 360's!

Nice figures fanboy!

Better luck next time!
Shut this user up Let user speak
Marcelles25 - 187 days 3 hours ago
1.21 - @above
because they break more and microsoft got sued 5 billion times lol

thats the only reason they got that warranty my ps3 has never broken

original 60g
Shut this user up Let user speak
Gambit07 - 187 days 3 hours ago
1.22 -
@gamertags... wow... 5th system AND you seem pretty happy about it....
Shut this user up Let user speak
darkride66 - 187 days 2 hours ago
1.23 - @ Gamertags. That's simply not true.
The warranty is not reset when they send you a replacement system. As I mentioned earlier, in my case they wanted me to pay $170 (cdn) to repair a disk gouging unit they had sent me just two weeks prior because it wasn't covered under my original warranty.

I wouldn't go so far as to call you a liar, because maybe the warranty is different in your country, but I know this isn't true in Canada.

Edit below: And you're in the majority. Most 360 owners will never have a problem and that's why it has so many supporters. It's a great system, and if most people don't have an issue, what's the problem? That's what some PS3 fans don't understand. They wonder why you would support a faulty system...well most 360 owners don't have a faulty system. Now, if you're one of the unlucky owners like me that have had nothing but problems with their 360...that certainly changes your gaming habits and your opinions, but we are in the minority.
Shut this user up Let user speak
IdleLeeSiuLung - 187 days 2 hours ago
1.24 -
The RROD just doesn't occur as much anymore and MS did give 3-year warranty on it. If anything else breaks, you are in the same sh!thole as you were on the PS3.

Heck, what I read around forums is people intentionally inducing RROD when something else breaks to get another machine out of warranty.

The price differential is just different business models. Every company has to make money somehow and I do agree that some of the accessory cost on the Xbox is outrageous, but there is a price to get a machine cheap up front. It's like Jack Tretton once commented on the low PS2 price and how consumers sensitive to the $30 price drop are probably not going to buy many games. If you bought the 360s Arcade model based on price, one has wonder how many games that person will buy.

@darkride:

Yeah, when I initially bought a 360 I was so concerned about the RROD (and more importantly the Disc Read Errors) due to all the horror stories and bought an extended warranty at Target for 3-years. Cost me $35. I consider it a waste of money since I probably will never need it. My 360 is rock solid so far and with the install option I don't think my disc drive will ever give me an issue.
Shut this user up Let user speak
xxBATTLECATxx - 187 days ago
1.25 - @jack who
hahahahahaha
pathetic.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Thugbot187 - 186 days 22 hours ago
1.26 -
I bought the Xbox360 second batch after it came out. I got RROD - I used my warranty from Circuit City; got my money back and Upgraded to the Elite haven't had RROD since. I have 4 other friends who got RROD one did the Xbox warranty kept breaking but go it fixed the others had Best Buy and warranties like that all upgrade and no problems since. RROD - yes it did happen get over it... its fixed for the first part now, and you should be buying the extended warranty on any electronic device you buy. (Biggest upset about RROD was it happen to me day after Thanksgiving and I was in the middle of Assassin's creed.)

Next argument wireless, not everyone requires wireless bad argument. I personally like it wired its faster, and if your trying to stream HD video 802.11g just isn't fast enough. You would have to get an upgraded adapter for the PS3. So basically you paid for 2 wireless cards. Like I said silly point because its all based on the persons needs and standards.

BLU-RAY - Another point that is silly and based on someones needs and standards. I did not buy a game console to watch movies. I am happy with DD and upscale DVD. Yes I've seen the quality of BLU RAY its great just I'm not as picky about the quality. AS long as the movie has better quality than VHS I'm good. Another point that basically goes back to the person and the standards.

As a programmer one thing we are taught is 80% of features are never used by the majority of people using the product (perfect example Microsoft Office). Again best value is going to be different for everyone.

PS3 no games - ridiculous; Argument over who has the best killer titles, that's all a matter of opinion and will change from person to person. One thing that can be said is LIBRARY SIZE, this generation PS3 has the smallest library but its not lacking in quality. This matters when certain genre of games come into question and a gamer is trying to pick a console based on where the most games of the genre they might play are. PS3 has about 37 FPS, while 360 has 50 FPS (Not counting multi-platform titles). While PS3 still have more coming and KZ2 is hard to ignore but the fact 360 have more FPS.

There are a lot of things that go into buying a console and my point is it's different for everyone. Articles like this are just flame bate and are from poor journalistic standards. PS3 and 360 both have a lot going for them; features, games and price will appeal to each gamer for different reasons.
Shut this user up Let user speak
slayorofgods - 186 days 21 hours ago
1.27 -
actually it is only free to get the rrod w/ the purchase, fixing it will cost you a warranty or more.
Shut this user up Let user speak
cherrypie - 186 days 21 hours ago
1.28 - No one cares about which console costs "more", they simply are buying the Xbox 360 -- and Xbox 360 titles -- in vastly greater numbers.
The heat issues were resolved almost 2 years ago. They simply Are. Not. An. Issue.

But, beyond that, I find it truely silly the PS3 owner arguing "HEY! xbox 360 costs as much!1!"

Ok. Assume that is "True" (it's ridiculous, but nevermind). Imagine for a second that this idea was "True".

BOTTOM LINE: SO. WHAT?

So, it's "True" -- but NO ONE IS BUYING the PS3 *anyway*. WHAT IS THE POINT?

No one cares about which console costs "more", they simply are buying the Xbox 360 -- and Xbox 360 titles -- in vastly greater numbers. Inspite of whatever argument is to be made about the "cost".
Shut this user up Let user speak
DMason - 186 days 19 hours ago
1.29 - This logic is garbage
Lame, worthless, absolute garbage article. How is this even a legitimate comparison? All this article is, is just a fanboys made up excuse to cause a flame war. According to this guys logic, the $4 burger at McDonalds is going to cost me more than the $7 organic sub sandwich, because if I eat the burger Im going to have to pay for toilet paper for when I crap it out, cholesterol medication for when my arteries clog, and new clothes for when I get fatter.

This is GARBAGE! Remove it.
Shut this user up Let user speak
darkride66 - 186 days ago
1.30 - @ cherrypie. Really?
cherrypie said "No one cares about which console costs "more", they simply are buying the Xbox 360 in vastly greater numbers."

Is that so? Funny, because the last I checked the PS3 is selling millions more than the 360 did, idicating that consumers are buying vastly greater numbers of PS3's.
Based on Microsoft and Sony's official numbers the PS3 is just shy of 23 million consoles currently. At the 2 1/2 year mark the 360 had only sold 19 million. The facts don't really support your claim. Consumers have decided.

Oh, wait. I know what you were doing. You were just focusing on PS3 sales from the last couple of months and thinking that somehow told the entire story. If you truly are that short sighted, you must have been wringing your hands with worry when the 360 was behind the PS3 by over a million consoles six months into last year.
Shut this user up Let user speak
The Xbox Empire - 187 days 16 hours ago
2 -
lol 139$ to fix the 360?

This is more homemade then HipHopGamer.com.
Shut this user up Let user speak
militant07 - 187 days 8 hours ago
2.1 - I dont get it at all
when the NPD numbers comes out
i see this comments "with half price of ps3 still cant sell much" and those craps.

but when you compare cost" ps3 cost less than 360"

so which statment is true ?!
Shut this user up Let user speak
sunil - 187 days 8 hours ago
2.2 -
a ps3 is less expensive than a fully featured 360.
A LOT of ppl want the bare minimum, which you can get with the 360 and not with the PS3.
Shut this user up Let user speak
FamilyGuy - 187 days 6 hours ago
2.3 - Sunil
That's VERY true, I know a couple of people who NEVER go on live, have arcade models and are fine with simply buying HD games to play at home solo or with friends or family.

You don't need a HDD
You don't need Wifi
You don't need to play online.

It's literally built for and marketed to the "casual gamers"

Of course you won't find many arcade console owners in your 360 friends lists because of just that, they're casual and don't play online.
Shut this user up Let user speak
slopeseeker - 187 days 6 hours ago
2.4 -
I'm a hardcore rpg guy and I never use live or psn except to download dlc which you only need a silver account to do.
Shut this user up Let user speak
edhe - 187 days 6 hours ago
2.5 - @2.4
And the winner is you :)

I think n4g forgets that not all Gamers are like them. there's plenty folk happy on silver and without the marketplace.

They'd never buy a ps3 for their means at it's current pricepoint.
Shut this user up Let user speak
darkride66 - 187 days 4 hours ago
2.6 - @ FamilyGuy.
Of course you don't need any of those things, nor do you have to pay for XBL if you don't want to..but I think the point of the article was to compare the consoles if you want a similar experience and to do so means paying for XBL, adding wi-fi and a hard drive to your 360, etc.
Everyone knows the PS3 has more features built into the unit then the 360 does, but not everyone needs those features. I personally think the 360 is a great alternative for those that are just looking for a game machine and that's it and aren't interested in all the bells and whistles that come with a PS3.
Still, he loses me when he throws in the repair costs. The majority of 360 owners don't have a problem. This shouldn't be included.
Shut this user up Let user speak
soxfan2005 - 187 days 3 hours ago
2.7 -
People seem to forget that the roles were reversed last generation. Xbox included built-in memory (8gb) while PS2 owners had to buy a $50 memory card just to save games. Xbox had built in broadband, while PS2 owners had to buy a $40 adaptor. It didn't hurt the PS2's sales or reputation, just as the 360 is not suffering now.
Shut this user up Let user speak
da720izcumin - 187 days 1 hour ago
2.8 - o quickly they turn their heads!!!
lol,
i thought the only people who bought the 360 were poor people who couldnt afford a super computer of a machine?
now, you are telling me that the ps3 is actually cheaper because it has things that no one asked for???
it's not my fault sony is not charging for their network...truthfully, is it even legal for them to charge for the psn if they wanted to? probably not, psn is what live was last gen...
Shut this user up Let user speak
mikegotgame - 187 days 16 hours ago
3 - Read the whole article
Last I checked, I mentioned that after three years, it’s going to cost you $139 to get an Xbox 360 fixed.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Murderdolls - 187 days 16 hours ago
3.1 -
Yeah lets pay 139$ to fix our broken console instead of buying a brand new one with a fresh 3 year warranty for 199.99
Shut this user up Let user speak
JOLLY1 - 187 days 16 hours ago
3.2 -
Curious, how much is ylod after 1 year? Oh wait......chances are none. Wow, fanboy much.
Shut this user up Let user speak
jack who - 187 days 16 hours ago
3.3 -
even after 3 year they still fix it for free!!!!
Shut this user up Let user speak
Murderdolls - 187 days 16 hours ago
3.4 -
I don't think they do Jack.. if you can provide some proof that would be great.
Shut this user up Let user speak
The Meerkat - 187 days 10 hours ago
3.5 -
I bought a 360 on launch day and my warranty (according to xbox.com) ends on 14/10/2009.

Thats almost 4 years.
Shut this user up Let user speak
Kushan - 187 days 10 hours ago
3.6 -
mikegotgame, I have a friend who's PS3 broke after just over 1 year and he had to pay over £100 to get it fixed by Sony. Why not add that to your comparison?
Oh, because "chances are it wont happen"? Since when did a legitimate comparison ever use "chance" to dictate anything? Just what exactly is the % chance that something must happen before it factors into things? 10%? 20%? 30%? It's people like you that are giving this industry a bad name.

Your entire article is nonsense, your entire argument is full of holes and your web site looks like something an 8 year old shat out using frontpage 97.
Shut this user up Let user speak
leila01 - 187 days 10 hours ago
3.7 -
I had to pay 160€ to fix my PS3 + 18€ for shipping and it still took Sony more than a month to Ship it(maybe because it's a 60gig, I don't know and don't really care)!
Shut this user up Let user speak
k jules - 187 days 9 hours ago
3.8 - @ Murderdolls
Actually they do in some cases. Mine broke down on me with standard overheating (2 red lights) so no 3 year-term. My 360 is 2.5 years old,
but it's gonna be fixed for free. So repair-cost in this comparison
showes he doesn't have experience with Xbox Support, he didn't even said that the repair cost of Ylod afer one year is more than that of the 360 after 3 years xD
3.9 El Botto | 187 days 9 hours ago - User only got 1 bubble - Show
Add Comment (Gamer Zone)
Gamer Zone Posting Guidelines
The Gamer Zone is for members who want a more friendly and civilized discussion. This section is heavily moderated by the N4G staff, so leave your fanboyism at the door please. Members who are unable to behave in a mature and respectful manner will be temporarily or permanently restricted from posting in the Gamer Zone. Using words such as Xbots and Sony droids, or other words from the console war vocabulary, is strictly prohibited in this Zone.
Read More...
 
 
You must log in to post comments.
Username:  
Password:  
 
 
About N4G
N4G is a social game news site that covers the game industry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
More Info... | Submit News