xbox 360 considering failure rate, still worth buying?

Question

I'm planing on buying a console, and the new 40Gb PS3 costs the same as an xbox 360 go pro bundle. So which one should I buy? I really want an xbox for games like Halo 3 and Forza2. But all the hardware failures seem scary. I know 4 people who have an xbox 360, and none of them have had any problems. But then when I check online reviews, there are thousands complaining about their problems. Of course it seems logical to see lots of people complaining about xbox 360, since over 12 million units have been sold, even at 1% hardware failure, there will be 120,000 people with problems, hence they will complain. But really, how bad are the hardware failures? Some say it's 3-5% others say it's as much as 33%. And have there been any improvements? It seems tempting to buy it, but obviously, I don't want to buy something that doesn't work. Also, can you download demos for free on PS3 like you can on xbox 360?

Answer 1

There has been a new improvement in the cooling and production of a cooler 65nm CPU which generates les heat (hopefully overcoming the overheating problem). These machines are know as Falcon (with the new motherboard and chipset).

They are found in the latest Halo 3 Edition Xbox 350s produced from late 24th August 2007 (see the barcode on the box for this info) lot number 0734 or later and it's produced by the "FDOU" team. These Xboxes are Falcon equipted.

Also Xbox Premiums are also shipping with the Falcon and the Elites will no doubt follow as soon as it's current stocks are depleated.

However, even if you get the older Zephyr motherboard and chip setup (these are the machines that have an HDMI port rather than the older ones that do not) the heatsinks have been improved to aid cooling and Microsoft has extended it's warranty for the 3 red lights of death to THREE YEARS worldwide so at least you're not left completely in the cold.

The Japsper motherboard and chipset which also houses a cooler 65nm GPU is estimated to arrive next August 2008.

Answer 2

The pro bundle comes with a new "zephyr" processor that runs cooler and more efficiently than the old processors. Also, any other bundle that was made in the last few months should also have the new "zephyr" processor and an extra heat sink. You can tell if you have the right set by cghecking the box for the word "zephyr," near the S/N. Also, the new sets will have an HDMI port, which was previously only available in the top SKU's. On top of this, Microsoft has extended the warranty of every XBOX 360 sold since news of the failures came out.
In summation, don't worry about hard drive failure when purchasing.

Answer 3

This is my cut and paste answer. The reason for that is because a tech info is a tech info, you can't beat it.

PS3 will win the console war, no doubt. Xbox 360 and Wii are so weak from technological point of view, that in couple of years they won't be capable of dealing with serious graphics. GTA IV, for instance, isn't even announced for Wii - this toy won't be able to cope with the game's requirements. Xbox 360 is getting GTA IV, however, the game is going to be released on several DVDs - Xbox 360 owners will have to interrupt gaming process and switch discs (Rockstar complained about this issue). Only PS3 will have it on single BD-DVD.

Let's compare PS3 and XBOX 360:

A third of XBOX 360 (33%) are malfunctioning right from the start. PS3 return rate is only around 0.2%.

PS3 has 8 (7+1) kernels in Cell processor, Xbox 360 -only 3.
PS3 uses advanced tech called Blu-Ray, one disc can store up to 54 gb (in the future - up to 200 gb), Xbox 360 - regular dual layer DVD-9 (8.5GB). It's possible to get HD-DVD (max. - 30GB) for 360, but it'll cost you around 180$, in this case Xbox is going to be MUCH more expensive, than PS3.
Calculations per sec - PS3 - 51-billion-dot-product-operati... per second
Xbox 360 - 33.6-billion-dot-product-opera... per second
PS3 has full media support - USBs, built-in 4 slots card reader (except 20GB and 40GB versions), ability to use printer and so on.
Xbox 360 has USBs and only 2 memory slots.
PS3 supports up to 7 Bluetooth Controllers
Xbox 360 - up to 4 Controllers
PS3 - wi-fi included (except 20 gb version)
Xbox 360 - wi-fi will cost you around 100 $

Graphics are stronger in PS3, due to RSX chip, that was developed by Nvidia exclusively for PS3. To estimate its power (roughly) - take 6800 Ultra nvidia graphics card, multiply it by 2 - get a result, still PS3 stronger, because 6800 Ultra runs on 400 Mhz and RSX runs on 550 Mhz. However, it's difficult to compare, because 360 has a video chip with totally different structure and operating memory is divided differently in both consoles. However, PS3 exclusives look better than 360's exclusives.

PS3 uses technology from AGEIA company. It does to physics of the game same thing GPU (videocard processor) does to graphics. This thing is on sale for PC(special card). The price is around 350$. There is no such thing in 360.

Xbox 360 is widely known for so-called "red ring of death" problem - it gets overheated easily. My PS3 was running for more than 12 hours non-stop with no problems. Sometimes Xbox 360 becomes so overheated, that thermopaste on CPU melts, drips on motherboard and successfully shortcircuits it. That's why in some countries people call Xbox 360 "Coffin 360".

Besides all of this, I've seen disassembled Xbox 360 - regular PC architecture - Billy Gates is an uninventive nerd (as usual).
When I saw disassembled PS3 - it was a surprise - smart architecture, good cooling (don't buy external PS3 coolers - they make everything worse - original system is good), etc.

In 2008 PS3 will get more than 300 games, including Metal Gear Solid 4, The Agent and other great exclusives. Here is the good link to the future PS3 releases. http://ps3.ign.com/index/release.html......

PS3 online is free, Xbox 360 - you have to pay.

There were reports, that 360 scratches discs. No reports on that in PS3.

The funniest thing, that right now there are no games for PS3, that show full potential of the console. Biggest games weigh only 25 GB (Xbox 360 will need more than 3 discs even for those).

On PS3 you can install other OS, such as Linux Yellow Dog, Ubuntu and others. Sony officially lets you do it. There is no such thing in 360.

PS3 HDD can be replaced easily with any 2.5" SATA 5400 RPM HDD (used in laptops). 250 GB will cost you around 170$. In 360 you have to buy exclusive HDD, where 20GB will cost you 100$.

Sony expects PS3 to stay on the market for, at least, 7-10 years. Also Sony reduces price now. Soon there is going to be cheaper 40GB version of PS3.

Sony constantly upgrades PS3 software (free updates for OS) - you get new functions and improvements.

PS3 controller (sixaxis) has a motion control - you move controller - game responds. Wii has it, Xbox 360 - doesn't. PS3 controller is getting vibrocontroller soon (Dualshock 3).

On PS3 you can help sick people by running Folding Home project. Wii and Xbox 360 didn't even think about it.

New 40GB is coming with a lower prive between around 400$ and 400 euros (depends on the region).

I didn't mention Wii, because it's so weak, no point to talk about it. Leave it for kindergarten and casual games.

www.kotaku.com
www.qj.net
www.ign.com
www.wikipedia.org and many other sources.

Answer 4

yes, u can download ps3 games, ps1 games and game demos from the playstation store on the ps3.