Originally Posted by RPIJG

The controller can be cracked open and battery replaced just like in an ipod (although admittedly more difficult in an ipod). I simply don't like having to have tons of backups on hand, that's just "more stuff" that I've got to put away. I'm just not a fan of them, not to mention, when the damn tab breaks off, and then you have to tape it in there so it doesn't fall out at some crucial stage in a game, now doesn't THAT tick me off.

Originally Posted by VulcanDragon

I don't think the surge in PS3 sales is a surprise to anyone. Everyone with half a brain knew that it was just overpriced before, and that once the price dropped to a price point proven acceptable to gamers that they would start shifting units. And it should be no surprise that $400 turned out tobe that acceptable price point...it was already proven out with the X360, and is in fact the launch price point (in current dollars) for most of the successful game consoles throughout history.

That said, I don't think there is going to be any sustained momentum in the PS3 "catching up" to the X360. I do believe it was a surge, prompted by a tidal wave of people that wanted a PS3 but were waiting for the price drop, combined with Xmas. I imagine that a lot of those people have their PS3 now, and that sales will trend downward a little over the next few months. The PS3's game library is still much weaker than the X360s, and it is still more expensive, after all.

I always tend to think about the gaming side of things however, and the elephant in the room definitely is the eventual domination of the Blu-Ray movie format. It's quite possible that I am not taking enough account of people that might buy a PS3 as a Blu-Ray player now. Three months ago I would have thought that the idea of these types of purchases skewing the overall numbers was silly; but now that the format war seems to be tilting heavily towards Blu-Ray, it's not so crazy to me anymore. But if PS3 sales fact do not decline, because of Blu-Ray or whatever other reason, I would expect Microsoft to counter with another price drop. A $300 X360 with its big gaming library would be hard to overlook next to a $400 PS3, Blu-Ray player or not.

Edit: I forgot to add this point. There is no way that the PS3 can be a 10-year machine any more than the PS2 can be a 10-year machine, at least not the way the author implied. Microsoft will release a new console in a few years that will look so much better than the X360 and PS3, that Sony will have to match them. It's just basic competition. The PS3 may continue to exist, but it won't be their main product any more than the PS2 is their main product a year into the PS3's life.

Originally Posted by Guruboy

Good post Vulcan!

Yeah I was mostly expecting this...seriously though, the only people who care about console sales are fanboys, you have to admit. The only situation in which we should care about console sales is if they're SO bad that the console itself is in jeopardy of becoming extinct and that's obviously not going to happen here.

Originally Posted by Guruboy

Good post Vulcan!

Yeah I was mostly expecting this...seriously though, the only people who care about console sales are fanboys, you have to admit. The only situation in which we should care about console sales is if they're SO bad that the console itself is in jeopardy of becoming extinct and that's obviously not going to happen here.

Originally Posted by Elyaas

*clap* Wise words.

BTW, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the PS3 (according to this) still 7 mil units sold below the 360? It may be catching up bit by bit...but I think Vulcan here is right about the surge.

Personally, I seriously thought about getting a PS3 this xmas, especially after playing Warhawk. But right now...it's just not worth it, especially since I own a 360 and a Wii...

Originally Posted by RPIJG

The question is how much of the 7mil is installed base prior to PS3 launch, and then I think you see the gap shrink. It also seems to me that MS is to some extent butchering their own sales, I mean releasing killer apps on PC format, has to be pulling down 360 sales.