360, WII, or Playstation 3

There are so many gaming systems out there, and you don't know what to get. Fear not, I am here to help you figure out which one to buy. The confusion ends here. I will give you the specs of each system (Xbox 360, PS3, & WII). I will explain the strong points of each system that the lamens man will see. I will also visit the gaming distribution. Finally, I will give my honest opinion without any biases. This should allow you to cut through all of the jargon and make and intelligent choice on your own as to what to buy.

"Xbox 360 vs PlayStation 3 vs Wii
360

• Australian release date: Already released locally
• Available in two bundles: the Xbox 360 System (RRP AU$649) and Xbox 360 Core System (RRP AU$449). Click here for more details.
• Processor: IBM PowerPC-based CPU with three symmetrical 3.2GHz
• Graphics: 500MHz custom ATI Graphics Processor with 10MB of embedded DRAM
• Memory: 512MB GDDR3 RAM and 700MHz DDR
• Hard Drive: 20GB included with Xbox 360 System.
• Inputs: USB 2.0 x 3, Wi-Fi adaptor slot, Ethernet
• Outputs: Composite on Core System; Component on Xbox 360 System
• Controllers: Wireless
• Disc media: DVD
• Backwards compatability: Limited Xbox backwards compatibility.

PS3

• Available in two bundles: Base model (RRP AU$829) features PS3 with a 20GB hard drive. Upgrade model (RRP AU$999) features 60GB hard drive, built-in 802.11b/g wireless, card slots and HDMI output
• Processor: Cell Processor PowerPC-base Core @3.2GHz
• Graphics: RSX @ 550MHz
• Memory: 256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz, 256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz
• Hard Drive: 20GB in base model, 60GB in upgrade model
• Inputs: USB Front x 4, Rear x 2 (USB2.0), Memory Stick standard/Duo (in upgrade model), PRO x 1 (in upgrade model), SD standard/mini x 1, CompactFlash(Type I, II) x 1 (in upgrade model)
• Outputs: HDMI out x 1 in upgrade model, AV multi out x 1, Digital out (optical) x 1
• Controllers: Wireless
• Disc Media: Blu-ray, DVD
• Backwards compatibility: Yes. With PlayStation and PlayStation 2 games.

WII

• Processor: IBM-developed CPU
• Graphics: ATI graphics chip
• Memory: TBA
• Inputs: USB 2.0 expansion ports, and built-in support for Wi-Fi Internet access.
• Outputs: TBA
• Controllers: Wireless
• Disc Media: DVD
• Backwards compatibility: Yes. With GameCube, NES, SNES and Nintendo 64." (http://www.cnet.com.au/games/hardware/0,239029706,240054900,00.htm)

The top is the 360, the middle is PS3, and the end is the WII specs. Now, there are a lot of arguments about each system, but there is not much difference between the PS3 and 360 in game processing that is to be noticed by the average consumer. The WII is not very advance and does not compare with either system. The only strong point that the WII has is its movable controller. Other than that, the WII is at the bottom of the totem pole for everything else. However, the PS3 and 360 differences are very important for most gamers to know before buying the system. PS3 has blue ray and 360 has the regular DVD standard. There is not much difference except that the PS3 is more expensive because of this newer technology. The major difference is that 360 has better running graphics than anything the PS3 can put out. Please refer to specs above. Which would you rather have, good running graphics that are realistic or older style graphics. Also, 360's Xbox Live is ten times better and more used than the PS3 online gaming. 360 is more user friendly too. I have used all of the systems and speak from direct experience. These things lead to gaming distribution.

The better a system does, the more games it gets. PS3 is losing a lot of its gaming support because developers are litterally running to the 360 because of its abilities, moneymaking ability, Xbox live, customer basing, and marketing abilities. More games sell for the 360 then the WII and PS3 combined. 360 games are also better priced than the PS3 games. People can not argue against the specs of the 360. The only issue is that you have Nintendo and Sony loyalist. As long as there are fanboys, each system will have its following.

In conclusion, all around, the 360 is a better system, but if you are buying a system for someone, simply ask them which one they perfer. If the person is a serious hardcore gamer, then they will probaly already have a want for the 360. Microsoft has always put the gamer first over profit, and like the Honda car and its quality, Microsoft has made lots of money because of its gamer first mentality. The specs above are kind of self explantory, and I did give out the highlighted differences.