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Let me open by saying I have Zero preference from XBOX to PS3 except that I am always looking for the best possible gaming experience. I have owned an XBOX 360 since release and recently purchased a PS3 60gig system. For your enjoyment, or chagrin, I offer my assessment of the two systems.
For each section I will rank both systems using a 5 point scale. 5 being excellent, 1 ranking very poor. Each aspect of the systems will be ranked individually. At the end I will have the final scores as well as my final input.
For this article we are comparing the XBOX 360 Pro release vs. the PS3 60 GIG release.
The Platform:
Both systems are true new generation systems sporting brand new hardware and
software support. The XBOX 360 (Just 360 moving forward) runs on a Windows
based OS so Windows users should find the interface familiar. Sony PS3 runs
on a custom OS that feels more Unix based, using rows of Icons with sub icons
to navigate through the main screen. Any PSP users will find this interface
very familiar as it is an extension of the interface used on the PSP system.
It's
hard to compare the guts of each system since they are both truly unique.
Xbox incorporates a triple core Intel processor while the PS3 uses a newer
Cell Processor. Both processors sport cutting edge (as long as cutting edge
lasts in the current world of ever changing technology). So while RAM, graphics
power, and overall specs may seem better or worse system to system, one needs
to keep in mind that each system performs as designed with it's custom setup
and the games designed to run on those platforms.
Once
aspect of the Xbox that seems to push it farther is the triple core technology.
With this new advance in chipsets, Xbox titles can take advantage of 1, 2
or all 3 of these multiprocessors. An example is the newly released Gears
of War which uses a single processor for the graphics engine, another for
the system, and the third used for AI control. Instead of having to share
the processor to run all 3 parts of the game as one (reducing the amount of
power they can dedicate to each) each one runs at it's full capacity on top
of each other meaning the best graphics, plus the best game play, plus the
best AI. There is little need for sacrifice in this setup.
The PS3 has the capabilities as well to multiprocessing, but as of this article no game is using the full potential of the Cell technology.
It hard to compare the two systems since XBOX is on it's 3rd generation of games, which in turn means they are using more of the consoles potential. Sony is currently only running it's initial release games, which do not take the full power the PS3 has to offer.
XBOX 360: A solid 5
PS3: A solid 3 (but could easily be a 5 in a years time as 2nd and
3rd gen games are released.
The System:
Xbox
sports USB and UHF controls. Aside from that there are not other forms of
direct interface. The XBOX 360 also has a mounted 20 gig hard drive which
offers some substation space if not for the fact that the drive, as bundles,
has 8 gig of space in use for OS components so really it has about 12 gig
of usable space.
The PS3 however sports a 60 gig hard drive with almost all available space for the user. It too has USB (4 ports) which is nice since the controllers (although wireless) can run and charge off the USB. The 60 gig release of the PS3 also has Compact flash, SD< and Sony Memory stick ports for adding music, pictures, etc…
Both
systems allow you to import images, music, etc to the system however in my
testing the XBOX handles this much better than the PS3 which seems to limit
itself to very specific formats, (MP3 for example must be formatted a certain
way). The 360 also allows the import of WAV and Windows Media Files for some
added flexibility.
One lovely thing about the PS3 is the built in wireless Wi-Fi which allows me to connect the system to my how network wirelessly. It still has an Ethernet port for a wired connection, but I only had one Ethernet line and it was being used by the 360 which does not have built in wireless (This feature can be added for about $100.00)
Xbox 360: 4 (Would have
been nice to have added USB ports on the front (only has 2) and some added
memory card readers.
PS3: 4 (Lots of slots, not so many file formats)
The Interface:
Turning on either system is fun as the initial splash screen boots up and
takes you to the interface.
The
360 sports a multi-panel interface where you access online features, media,
system settings and more. The PS3 is very similar however instead of panels,
they use icons (left to right) for each of the core areas of video, music,
games etc. Each main section icone then has icons drop from it (Up and Down)
where you select the specifics items you want.
This
is one area I have to give major Kudos to the 360. Each tab uses tabs and
graphics to make navigation and sorting very easy. The 360 also incorporates
the Windows Media Player so as you listen to music or videos you are surrounded
by a simple but elegant interface. The PS3 on the other hand uses a very archaic
interface of music adding some basic controls to the bottom of the screen
for play, pause, etc…
The
360 has a large amount of graphic representations as you go through the various
table to even if the written description is not clear, the graphics help you
visually identify the different areas of the main screen. The PS3 lacks this
flair in it's current release using simple icons which do not help much to
identify what they represent.
As
you download items to either system, the XBOX organizes these into multiple
sections as does the PS3, however the PS3 drops all content under the single
icon for that type of media (So if you have several songs on the system, the
list can get very long). The 360 allows play lists and folders so you can
sort your data as you see fit. Currently I have not been able to do this on
the PS3.
Both systems will log in the primary account user of the system and aside from how they represent themselves (Graphically vs. not so graphic) offer most of the same abilities.
The
360 does offer one big plus for added media though through it's media connect
which allows you to share the content with other Windows computers on your
home network. Since the 20 gig drive can fill fast with music and video, you
can now transfer that information to another PC or use another PC as your
music and video storage and access them on the fly with the 360. While it
may take some time to setup, once complete you have wider access to more data
making the 360 interface more of a Mini-Media PC than just a gaming console.
On the flipside, the PS3 offers Internet browsing from the console which the 360 lacks.
Graphics aside, both interfaces function and offer more than ever before from a console before even putting in a game.
XBOX 360: Solid 5
PS3: Solid 4
Dollars and
More Dollars
Price is a huge component of any system. So what where the prices and what
do you get:
Xbox 360 Pro:
Sony 60 GIG:
So the XBOX 360 lacks the Blue-Ray, wireless, and extra slots, not to mention a smaller Hard drive, but also is $200 less than the PS3. In better comparison, if you added the HD-DVD drive ($200.00 for a separate external drive) and a wireless controller ($100.00) the XBOX is now $100.00 more than the PS3. But I missed something:
Once
thing I was very disappointed in when I got the PS3 is that the more expensive
system still only included standard RCA cables. To get HDMI or Component cables
cost $75.00 more in order to take advantage of the HD connection.
So when you are all said and done, they cost about the same.
Games and controllers are the same way with new titles averaging $60.00 each for both systems, controllers averaging $50.00 each, and accessories galore.
Both systems score a 4 for price but I do want to note one item. The XBOX is still cheaper in that it at least allows the option not to have to buy certain items like wireless or the HD DVD player, meaning if you don't need those items you can get the system for less.
Xbox 360: 4 (A bigger Hard
drive would have been nice since downloads are larger than ever now)
PS3: 4 (A beautiful HD system with no HD cables?)
Blue-Ray vs. HD-DVD
I am not going to debate the two formats since both look and sound great.
Blue-Ray sports 1080p while HD-DVD currently only supports 1080i (If you do
not know what those mean, you are probably better off since they look the
exact same currently)
Both cost about the same for Movies
($20-40.00 each)
The PS3 will move up a notch in this area though since it is an integrated
drive and already allows Games, not just movies, to use the Blue-Ray technology.
This could lead to even more mind blowing titles in the future:
The
360 though offers the consumer to option to just not buy it saving them money
on the overall system. So if you are not sold on HD or Blue-Ray, you can simply
choose to play the standard DVD 360 for $200.00 less. Since the HD-DVD is
an external drive, you can always add it later if you choose.
Really, this is comparing apples to apples and until a single format wins over the home theater or gaming market, either one will give you great quality on an HD set.
The only thing the 360 HD-DVD drive
has that the Blue-Ray seems to be missing is up conversion, or making regular
DVD movies look more like HD when played in that drive. The HD-DVD will do
this, the Blue-Ray will not, although a patch to the system may correct this
in the future as the up conversion is a software process.
Both systems are capable of being played on ordinary TV sets, although the graphics quality is greatly reduced.
XBOX 360: Solid 4 (because
you have a choice)
PS3: Solid 5 (Blue-Ray games, now there is something to get excited
about)
The Controllers
and accessories:
Both systems have newer version of previous controllers. The 360 sports a
wired and wireless version of there XBOX S controller with some minor adjustments
to the button layout.
The
360 wireless controllers are radio frequency (RF) with a range of about 50
feet from the system. They can use either 2 AA batteries or an optional Lithium
Battery pack. They still have the rumble pack for vibration as well as slightly
repositioning the buttons for easier access. The new 360 controller also includes
a central X button for turning the system on and off as well as accessing
the main setup window at any time.
The
360 controller also has a small port to add the XBOX live headset (much like
a stereo jack). It is nice that the use of the headset is optional and wireless
(when used with a wireless controller) although not completely wireless as
it still needs to be plugged into the controller.
The new controller also did away with the memory card slots built into the controller instead of the main system which allows the new controllers to be smaller and more ergonomic.
The
PS3 controllers looks almost exactly like the PS2 controller with some minor
and major changes. They are Bluetooth, so they are paired to the system. They
are light as a feather since the removal of the rumble packs, and the secondary
trigger buttons have been redone to feel more like triggers and differentiate
them from the two other L2 and R2 buttons on the front of the controller.
Both worked well and battery life seemed to be very similar between them. One thing I did not like about the PS3 controller is the lack of optional battery support (I can always use 2AA in my XBOX controller and stay wireless). With the PS3 I have to plug it in to the USB cable which amazed me since one was not included with the second controller I bought for $50.00. Even the charger cable that came with the main system is only 2 feet long, so not good as a controller cord, just a charging cord.
I do like the fact the system will charge controllers that are connected (when the system is on) while the 360 charger is a separate item and plug. I can also charge the controllers from my PC or any powered USB port. Still no cable made me really mad?
The PS3 also has no more rumble pack which I have loved since the first ones where released with the PS1. The controller is so light and has no grip so I have already dropped and had it "banana" slip out of my hand.
The 360 has a headset which connects to the controller for wireless access to online games/chat. The Sony does not have this option and you are forced to use an optional Bluetooth headset. (This may still be wireless, but another big expense)
The PS3 controller has one thing the 360 does not, a 6 axis gyro allowing the actual movement of the entire controller to influence game play (Wii anyone) While this feature may seem to bridge the gap between the Wii and 360, it has failed yet to inspire and feels more like a list minute add on which took the place of the coveted rumble pack)
Few of the initial release games for the PS3 use the technology, and the few online demos that show you how it works are very basic. Most of the time it was so sensitive as to be counter productive. We will have to see if future games can make use of this technology better.
Both systems have several accessories including wireless headsets and controllers. Since the 360 has been around a while there are a few more choices including steering wheels and joysticks. I was very pleased to see the PS3 has a memory card adaptor to allow you to use your old PS1 and PS2 memory cards. To date, there is no way to take save data from the XBOX and move it or use it on the 360.
I was also happy to see the PS3 has an adaptor to use your old PS2 controller on the PS3. This is nice since it is cheaper than a new wireless controller and allows you to easily add controllers for multiperson gaming without a huge pricetag or have a wired option if your wireless battery goes dead.
Xbox 360: Solid 4 - Using the design of there best controller (the S) as a template and the flexability us using a battery pack or 2AA, this one is a winner. Memory card reader or the ability to use older controllers would have been nice.
PS3: 4 - Same controller in many respects to the PS1 and PS2. Some nice changes, but nothing worth writing home about and no added headset support or included cables even to charge extra controllers. 6 Axis seems flakey at best so far..
Online Experience
The 360 and PS3 both sport a vast online setup. The 360 is playing off its
huge online XBOX live community while the PS3 is just starting out its Play
station Online community.
In the past, XBOX and XBOX 360 users joined a single XBOX live service for $50.00 a year for full access to online content in games. Regardless of title, you could get content, or join multiplayer event for a single fee for every title (Except Sony titles on the XBOX)
In the past Sony charged per title on the PS2 which added up fast. With the PS3 they have moved to a single community and thus far it is free even for downloading extra content and demos. (Except for PS2 online games which may still require a per game fee)
Since the 360 online is built on top of the original XBOX live players on both the XBOX and 360 share a single online community which is both vast and world wide. Xbox recent added pay to view content including HD movies on demand, TV, and Music downloads. Xbox also has the largest single game network in the world since all titles work through the single XBOX live interface.
PS3 online is still new so no movies yet, but they do have a fair amount of demo material and smaller games.
Both systems have an "Arcade" with titles you can pay to download and install on your system: So far they both offer free demos of titles with the option to purchase.
There is definitely room from growth for the PS3 as it lacks some major features of the 360 like being able to navigate to other areas or even games while a download is in process, auto restore of a failed or incomplete downloads, download Q to download multiple titles or auto downloads, and more content. Although, it is hard to complain since it is still free at this time.
Xbox 360: Solid 5 - After so many years, the Xbox Live community is vast and impressive with all the bells and whistles for a small annual fee.
PS3: 3 - Sorry folks, they are moving in the right direction, but have a long road to go not to mention they need to get subscribers so when I logon online I have someone to actually play with.
The Graphics
Xbox 360 offers up to1080i through there component cables. The PS3 offers
up to 1080p through HDMI and screen to screen, these two boys look fantastic.
It should be noted that just because the core drive on the 360 is not an HD-DVD
drive, all games for the system are either 720 or 1080 HD so the graphics
quality is fantastic. The PS3 also look marvelous at it's full potential and
should only improve as next generation games and possible Blue-Ray games come
out.
The only plus for the 360, it up converts regular XBOX titles. Halo 2 for example looks far superior on the 360 with better contrast and pixel smoothing. PS1 and PS2 games look exactly the same as they do on their home systems.
Xbox 360: Solid 5 - HD gaming
is where its at!
PS3: 5 - It may not up convert, but the actual titles and HD look fantastic.
The Games
It is hard to compare games since the 360 has had over a year for 2nd and
3rd generation games to come out, but I will say this. When comparing the
release titles of the 360 to the release titles of the PS3, PS3 wins hands
down. When you look at games like Perfect dark Zero (the First person shooter
released with the 360) vs. Resistance Fall of Man, the latter blows it away.
Several other titles also look very polished for the PS3, while several titles
for the 360 release seemed unfinished, or at best, not polished well.
PS3 also has some major support
since it supports all PS1 and PS2 titles. This offers over 2000 titles and
some great ways to fill time between PS3 game releases with solid PS2 titles.
PS1 games work, but look pretty bad on the system when played on an HD set
which is not forgiving to the older graphics.
Xbox 360 will play some older XBOX titles, but only a handful compared to the PS3. It also seems that XBOX focused on games easy to port over to the 360, not the most popular games, so titles that did not even sell well for the original XBOX are supported on the 360 making me ask, "who cares?". Finally, no memory card reader means your XBOX save games stay on your XBOX, with no portal to the 360. Get ready to restart some of those old XBOX titles from scratch.
Xbox games on the 360 look great,
when they are a supported title, as it up converts them, and is not terrible
with about 300 supported XBOX titles.
If you have XBOX live or PS3 Online, updates to either system are done automatically which is nice to keep you at the newest and freshest. If you are not online, the 360 and the PS3 have the option to download a file from the internet to burn on a CD to update your system.
Xbox 360: 4.0 - Some better
backwards support kept this away from a perfect 5 not to mention no way to
bring save data from your XBOX over to the 360.
PS3: 5.0 - based on release titles, backwards support, and Blue-Ray
games to come, you have to be fair and give this girl a 5.
Loading Times:
Both systems use better memory management and buffer space on the hard drive:
Back in the day I gave the XBOX huge bonus over PS2 for this very reason,
but both systems get a solid 5 for fast load times and little down time between
screens.
Obviously it may change per game, and the 360 is able to end a game and return to it's home screen a little faster, but overall both systems have made major leaps in reducing load times.
Portable Integration
This is easy
as the 360 has no portable so it can only integrate with your existing home
PC's using a downloadable media manager.
The PS3 does integrate nicely with the PSP and offers game downloads, added features, and the possibility for even more future integration since both systems were designed from the start to work together.
Xbox 360: 2 - Media manager
is nice, but where is the Portable Box?
PS3: 4 - Good interaction with the PSP, more to come we hope.
Assorted Mentions:
Both systems get a nice -5 points for heat problems. Both the 360 and PS3
throw out major heat, and I know several folks who had to have both systems
replaced as a result. It upsets me that I had to buy a special fan kit for
my 360 to stop it from locking up and the PS3 has locked a few times now and
already has a fan upgrade on the market. Both are in well ventilated areas
so this seems like a design problem to me.
Both systems get 5 points back (even though it has little to do with them) for finally breaking away from the exclusive titles. Both Microsoft and Sony have exclusive titles for their system, but most 3rd party game developers now have license to make games for both so most new releases will see both a 360 and PS3 release so you have choice again.
So what is the final tally?
XBOX 360: 47
PS3: 45
So clearly no one system reigns supreme over the other. Each system has things to offer the other system does not: While the 360 may have a minor victory here, that could easily swing another way in a years time as the PS3 becomes more established and upgraded.
In summary
Get an XBOX 360 if you want:
The largest online community and online access for a set fee.
Integration with your home network and windows PC
A user friendly interface that offers movie, TV, and extra downloads:
Get a PS3 if you want:
More space.
Blue-Ray integrated with the option of Blue-Ray games
True backwards compatibility.
In the end it may be the little features of each system or the few exclusive titles that have an impact on your decisions since both machines are true gaming powerhouses.
Some final notes
and opinion:
For me, I like the XBOX 360 better. Maybe it's because I love the Halo series
of games or the new 3rd generation games. Maybe it's because I like the feel
of the controller. In the end it will always come down to at least some personal
taste. I really enjoyed playing the PS3, but until it comes of age a bit,
my 360 is where it's at.
Both
systems look great and true HD gaming is finally here. Both will have their
place in the gaming community and I am glad there are two serious systems
out there to make each company work hard on competing, offering the consumer
a choice in systems and pushing the envelope of games, online play, and extra
content. I hope both fair very well and continue to the PS4 and XBOX Prime
(I made those up by the way, don't Google them!)
I should also mention the 360 included a DVD remote with the Pro System, and still does. The HD-DVD drive also includes an advanced remote and a movie which is nice since I was able to see the HD difference without spending another $25.00.
Each system was connected to a Toshiba 62 inch DLP HDTV with 1080p support
using HDMI (PS3) and Component Cables (XBOX 360)
No Wii?
It's like comparing Ford and Chevy trucks to a VW bug. All have their place
but the Wii was never designed to compete with these two systems and is geared
towards a totally different audience. You may love all 3, but trying to draw
fair comparisons with the Wii is just not in the cards.