system wars would be an AWESOME place for this thread...chaoscougar1

except that my question wasn't "which system" - heck right in the thread title I say that "I choose 360 over PS3" and the subsequent question is WHICH 360 to get...

it has devolved that way at times.

that's true. I actually went through the catalog of each system and wrote down games that were "system sellers" or must haves for me. several are available on both... and a couple that are only on PS3 but more of my must haves were on 360. and some have better versions on 360 from what i read (like the Orange Box)

btw, which versions of the system can you do Netflix with? only elite? arcade?

so the Arcade doesn't have wireless either?

I'm trying to convince my wife to let me do this... our tax refund is huge because of the homebuyer credit and we already spent $1500+ on a home gym... what's another $300 for xbox right?

I'm leaning toward 360 but have some questions. Seems like PS3 might be a better system, but 360 has way more/better games.

Anyway, here's the Q's

1. If I buy the arcade version of 360 what's the disadvantage? Can I do online play? DLC? even save my games?

2. Does the new USB hard drive support firmware update negate those disadvantages?

Thanks for all your help. Seemed like this was a good forum to ask :)

never mind. just found them on bestbuy.com. :)

thanks anjel_of_life!!

thanks guys i really appreciate the input. i'll probably pass on their extended warranty.

i agree it's good for some things, but if the wii is that sturdy, and nintendo is that reliable to help, then it' just wasted money to buy a plan.

i'll try not to have any accidents :)

i have always left all of my systems on sometimes for days or even weeks at a time if i'm in the middle of a hard dungeon during a buys school week or something

i still leave my NES on for days at a time and my PS2 etc. etc. i know you risk over heating but i have NEVER had a problem in 20 years. so don't worry about it, but if you are just be more careful in the future.