(H/T – Ace)
Remember that price drop on the 60 GB version of the Playstation 3? Many people, including me, thought it was a move to get the PS3 closer in price to Xbox 360. Well, we were wrong – it is to clear the shelves of the 60 GB in preparation for the upcoming $600 80 GB version.
I now put the odds of the PS3 still being around when Gran Turismo 5 comes out at 33%. If you can forgo the wireless network and HDMI, you can get the “common” version of the Xbox 360 (once called “Xbox 360 Pro” – $400) and the HD DVD player ($200) for $600. If you can forgo the hard drive and HDMI, you can get the “Core” version ($300), the HD DVD player and the wireless network ($100) for $600. If you can forgo the wireless network, you can get the HDMI-equipped Elite ($480) and the HD DVD player, along with a larger hard drive and potential integration with Windows Media Edition 2005/Vista Premium/Vista Ultimate (also available with the other Xbox 360s), for $80 more than the PS3. Morever, unlike the all-at-once solution from Sony, Microsoft allows upgradability (of course, at a price).
Meanwhile, the Wii still chugs along at $250, IF you can find it. Never mind that, other than the trick controller, it is essentially the GameCube, and as such, is about as advanced as the PS2 (indeed, certain games on the PS2 can be run in HD, while the best the Wii can do is ED).
Once again, smooth, Sony. REAL smooth. </sarcasm>
