Sony must be in trouble with their PS3 to send this chart out to the press. Maybe since they can't cut the price on the Ps3 they're trying, yes trying, to show that the PS3 is a better value. Is it? Through their looking glass it might be. But use gamers can see the writing on the wall is a little flawed. We might be dumb but we ain't stupid.
This chart was sent out by Sony in a email as reported earlier by joystiq as well as many, many others. Unsure what Sony was thinking but comparing the Xbox 360 Arcade to their 80GB PS3 doesn't make much sense nor does the chart add up even so. Let's see if we can help Sony out a little here since a few things are flawed on this chart along with what Sony said in their email.
The email sent out was titled "Keeping Entertainment Simple". Sony! Try telling that to the developers making the games for the PS3! The PS3 being the most difficult console to develop for while the Xbox 360 is the simplest, but that's not why I'm writing this article but their argument is still laughable.
The email also stated "requires ... multiple upgrades and additional external devices, putting a burden on the wallet and adds clutter to the entertainment center." Hmm, I see many things wrong with this.
To start, the only burden on my wallet I see is plopping down four to five large for the PS3 when the Xbox is half the price with many options to fit your needs. Lets go down the chart one by one.
1) The PS3 has Wi-Fi built in, NOW, but not their earlier 20GB console, so on the chart for Wi-Fi let's add "Not available in earlier models". The Xbox 360 does not have Wi-Fi built in, ever, but if you need it you have the option to add it anytime. It clips on the back with no clutter whatsoever.
In my case, I don't need it, so I was not forced to buy it saving myself $100. If you do need to use Wi-Fi, it can be a little pricey yes, but deals can be found all the time for the Wi-Fi adapter. Amazon has the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter for $87 right now. If you do any online gaming, I suggest you not use Wi-Fi anyway. It is best to be hard wired in since using Wi-Fi could cause lag issues.
So, I see this a plus for the Xbox 360. You're not forced to buy something you don't need and if you do want it, you have the option to add it at anytime.
2) All PS3's have a built in hard drive. The Xbox 360 Arcade doesn't but the Pro and Elite do, just depends on the console you buy. I'm not sure why Sony compared the Arcade since it doesn't have the built in hard drive where the Pro and the Elite's do but I guess they wanted the PS3 to look like the better value. Stupid me.
I have always had a hard drive in my 360 so I don't know how frustrating it would be not to have one but a casual gamer could get away with not having one no problem. At anytime a hard drive can be added. Again, adding on a hard drive later can get pricey but deals can be found as well. (See amazon for hard drive deals.) The option is there.
I see this a plus, as well, for the Xbox 360 since you have the option. Another thing, if your Xbox is out of warranty and dies on you, all you have to do is buy a new Xbox Arcade console, throw your old hard drive on and you saved $100 or more. Nice!
3) Online gaming. Sure the PS3 is Free but you get what you pay for. Xbox Live is not perfect trust me, but nether is the PSN and Xbox Live is worlds better and has so much more to offer. Sure the PSN has seen many updates in the few years out making it a little better now than it was previously but so has Xbox Live, say hello to the NXE. 
Sony's chart has the price at $50 for Xbox Live. That is the retail price. I hope you're not paying that much! Everyday you can find a deal for Xbox Live and starting Monday 1/12/09 to 1/18/09 you can stock up and get 12 + 1 Xbox Live Gold for $29.99. That's a little over $2 a month. What a deal!!!
Until Sony's PSN matches Xbox Live apples to apples, Xbox Live wins!
4) Blu-ray gaming. What is that? Is that a fishing game? LOL, this should have just said Blu-ray movies since Blu-ray gaming is basically saying HD gaming and the Xbox 360 does HD gaming just as good if not better than the PS3. Yes, I said better!
Better because most of the comparison videos show the Xbox 360 having better graphics or lighting. Also the PS3 has mandatory installs for some games because the Blu-ray is slower compared to a DVD drive and thanks to the NXE we now have, here it is again, the option, to install not just a portion of the game to the hard drive but the whole game making for quicker load times, quieter game play, and less wear on the DVD drive.
Xbox 360 wins for HD Gaming and also wins with more AAA games!
5) HDMI output. Last I checked, every Xbox Arcade console has an HDMI output. All Xbox 360 consoles in stores right now have an HDMI output. Sure, the first Xbox 360's didn't have HDMI, it wasn't a standard at the time, but for the last few years they have added it. So what's the point in putting "Not available in earlier models". To be relevant it should just say "YES".
Sony Fails again!
What's funny, all PS3's had HDMI outputs from the start but never came with an HDMI cable included, whereas the Xbox 360 Elite includes an HDMI cable.
Xbox 360 wins again!!!
Another funny thing is, the PS3 had full backwards compatibility but now has limited. Looks like we need to add another line to this chart.
6) Backwards compatibility. In order to play your PS2 games if you buy a PS3 Today, you will need to keep your PS2, funny, "cluttering up your entertainment center" since Sony stripped out the semiconductors that allowed over 90% backwards compatibility for PS2 titles. That just upped it $129 on the PS3 side.
Xbox 360 keeps on winning!!!
So we just added a new line to the chart for backwards compatibility, should we add another? Sure why not, we're on a roll here aren't we?
7) How about included Games? The Xbox 360 Arcade comes with 6 games. YES 6 Games! The PS3, NONE! The retail value: $80
Xbox 360, the Best Value with the most options!
Wow, that took sometime to get all that down and yet there is so much more I could have added but I better close with this. The PS3 is a good value, it is, just with little options, whereas, the Xbox 360 is the Best value with many, many options that, sure, might confuse some people that are new to gaming but I am sure they will research it and make the right choice that best fits their needs at the time.
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