Not the Typical PS3 or Standalone Dilemma

[procrastinatingguy]

I need advice - here's the scenario:

I have an XBox 360 with 10 games on my 46" Samsung LCD. I like the system a lot and it looks great, but I just sent it back to Microsoft for the second time due to hardware failure, so my mindset about XBox isn't great. I want to buy some type of Blu-Ray Player - standalone or PS3. I know I will get the XBox back in working order in a few weeks, so these are the options I was thinking about:

1) Keep the XBox (probably over $800 spent on system, 10 games and second controller) and buy a standalone

2) Trade in the XBox and games (for probably about $200 credit) and just buy a PS3 and then have to buy games, etc.

I've really been going back and forth and don't know what to do, so I'm seriously looking for suggestions. My gaming seemed complete so a standalone would make sense, but I've had issues, so I just don't know.

Anyone???

[WriteSimply]

Depends on how much money you have. If you don't, then I'd suggest option 1. Get a Wal-Mart/Magnavox for US$299 and you're set for a while.

If you have a bit more, get an 80GB PS3 for US$499 and its US$20 Bluetooth remote.


fuad

[Riff Magnum]

Since your into games and want bluray it seems pretty obvious to go for the PS3. I've never been a big gamer, but recently bought a 40gb with the $100 giftcard thing at Walmart and i'm having a blast playing games with my son. Some of my buddies have 360's and to my eyes the PS3 blows it away as far as graphics and video quality goes. Just wait for another PS3 sale, i'm sure they'll be another one before Christmas, if not you know they'll pull out all the stops for jebus b-day.

[WriteSimply]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

I've never been a big gamer, but recently bought a 40gb with the $100 giftcard thing at Walmart and i'm having a blast playing games with my son.

So I'm assuming you had no problems updating your PS3 then?


fuad

[inuyashalover21]

My brother was going to trade in his 360 for a ps3 because of microsoft problems and some bad customer service. Instead he used the money to pay his outstanding cell phone bill. If your tired of going through the hassle of sending your xbox back then I would go for the ps3. If you have a around $250-$300 you could get a standalone.

[DetroitSportsFan]

Originally Posted by procrastinatingguy

I just sent it back to Microsoft for the second time due to hardware failure, so my mindset about XBox isn't great.

I was in the same situation as you, except I had 3 systems fail on me.

2) Trade in the XBox and games (for probably about $200 credit) and just buy a PS3 and then have to buy games, etc.

This is what I did, and never looked back. Get a 40GB and a PS3 remote and you're good to go.

[Driver_King]

We have a thread here on a pretty good deal for a PS3. You should go to the store and talk to the manager about it. If you don't like that package, this is another great deal.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by WriteSimply

So I'm assuming you had no problems updating your PS3 then?


fuad

Ha!! you remember. No i haven't done it yet, because i still need a hdmi receiver and a center channel to take advantage of the new codecs. Eventually i'll have the PS3 hooked up to the interlink and i'll probably update that way. Thanks to you, i think i actually understand the process now. That's something.

[procrastinatingguy]

Thanks to all - I'm an impressionable person, so this helps.

I'm leaning toward option 2 and just scrapping the XBox to start fresh with a PS3 and having a Blu-Ray player. CNet and most others still say PS3 is the best option if you don't want to wait until late 08 or 2009. I'm not exactly a "home theater purist," so buying a PS3 to watch movies wouldn't be sacrilege. I just hate the thought of the amount of money I put into XBox in 18 months and getting a few hundred dollars in credit, but whatever I guess.

I may still just procrastinate though as I do often.

[WickyWoo]

When you get back the Xbox, sell it on craigslist for $250

They have new 45nm systems coming out in the fall that will be as RROD proof as humanly possilbe (instead of testing them slipshod they've been given about 3x normal testing)

If rumors are true, your net loss should be $50 tops. Keep your games and accessories

[sleazypig]

Well since you already have ten games get the cheaper player. Both systems are very close on the visuals. You don't need Blu-ray live web features are not that cool. I have web enabled Hd dvds and the features are pointless 1.1 is all you need. Also I do have a Ps3 and it is a great machine but its not worth starting your game collection over for.

[aramis109]

Do what I did- get the PS3 and keep your 360. I'm not in the same boat as you as I'm still on my first *knocks on wood* but I sympathize with your situation. At least with both you'll be able to get ALL the big games (no exclusivity issues) watch all the great blu-ray content on arguably the best player, and have something to play and watch when you have to send back your 360 again.

[aviman33]

Personally, I prefer the Xbox 360 for gaming. So If I were you, I would keep the 360 and add the PS3 for movies. The PS3 doesn't cost any more than a stand alone Blu-Ray player. You can get one for $299 right now at sonystyle.com with their credit card deal. Free shipping and no interest for 12 months. The credit card give you a $100 credit you can use against your purchase of the PS3. I believe the Wal-Mart and other $100 deals is a credit to buy additional crap, so it's not really saving you money. Also the CC is a platinum card which doubles you PS2 factory warranty.

[ack_bak]

I sold my 360 last year and picked up a PS3 and have not looked back. I do not game as much as I used to (2 small children) but use the PS3 a ton to watch movies and occasionally game. It does not sound like you are a hardcore gamer. I would sell the 360 gear, get a PS3 and never look back..

[Kyzer the Medic]

I traded in my 360 a few months ago because I found I wasnt playing games on it all that much. I bought a PS3 and absolutely love it. I use it maybe 70/30 for Bluray's and games. MGS4 is amazing and not available on the 360. I also had horrible times with MS's customer service. I've been a sony fan for several years and when I've contacted their customer service ( for other products, not the PS3) its been outstanding. In the long run, you might be happier getting the best of both worlds with the PS3. Also instead of trading it in, have you thought of offering it for sale to friends, relatives etc ? you can get more than trade in value and your friends would get a system at a discounted price.. might be something to think about

[M]

Originally Posted by Kyzer the Medic

I traded in my 360 a few months ago because I found I wasnt playing games on it all that much. I bought a PS3 and absolutely love it.

Good man, I constantly hear about these kind of storys were people sell their 360's for a PS3.

[procrastinatingguy]

all of your suggestions have been super helpful - thanks. no, i'm not a hardcore gamer, so the PS3 would serve me well for both gaming and blu-ray. i think thats the way i'm headed, but will probably procrastinate for a few more weeks.

and Kyzer - with my soon to be 3rd 360 on its way, i'm not sure i would have confidence in selling it to a friend or relative. i would want it gone and not chance it breaking on someone i knew. i'll let GameStop or whoever deal with that.

[plowmanjoe]

option 1 is a no brainer. you have 10 games already. just keep the xbox and save your pennies to get a ps3 as well. no need to waste a ton of money at get 200 back from a $800 investment. everyone on here just hates microsoft. and ps3 graphics blowing away xbox, who cares? no good game depends on good graphics alone. also the difference is arguable anyways.

so you want to trade the xbox for 200. get a ps3 for 400-200=200. why not just wait until you save up 200 extra dollars and buy a ps3 without loosing anything?

[allstar780]

Originally Posted by procrastinatingguy

all of your suggestions have been super helpful - thanks. no, i'm not a hardcore gamer, so the PS3 would serve me well for both gaming and blu-ray. i think thats the way i'm headed, but will probably procrastinate for a few more weeks.

and Kyzer - with my soon to be 3rd 360 on its way, i'm not sure i would have confidence in selling it to a friend or relative. i would want it gone and not chance it breaking on someone i knew. i'll let GameStop or whoever deal with that.

well the nice thing about it being a friend or family member is that if the unit goes again within the warranty period, they can just give it back to you to send out for repairs or however you want to do it... (as im sure re-sold units are not covered by warranty)

and besides... would you really want to stick with a system that needs this for MGS4??

[ToonyLoons]

The 360 warranty is transferable. You just have to notify MS. Check the warranty information. And I believe the warranty restarts after each repair. So you have a brand new 1 year system warranty and 3 year for three red light malfunction each time you send in the system. Unless MS has changed this. They implemented this when they extended the warranty to 3 years to cover for the three red lights malfunction.

If you can deal with the 360 being a bad piece of hardware, I would say keep it. There are good games to be played on it, and trade ins are near worthless if you ask me. The PS3 is a nice piece of hardware and it has good games as well. You could look at what exclusives each system will have and see what you want to play more. And Xbox Live is the better implementation of online gaming over the PS3. But the PSN is not horrible.

I think the best option is to get a standalone to go with your 360. If you could spend the extra $100, you could get the 40gb PS3 and have both game systems and a Blu-ray player. The cheapest stand alone would be in the $300 area, the PS3 starts at $399. Around the price of the PS3 is where most standalones start in price anyway.