Help a PC gamer decide on his first console purchase: PS3 or Xbox 360?

Well, the last few years have been very sobering for PC gamers.

A lot of great games have become console-only. (I'm looking at you, Alan Wake.)

DRM is a menace we need to deal with everyday.

Steam and other DRM services restrict our ability to resell our games.

A lot of PC games are cheap console ports these days.

So, of course, I am planning to get a console by the time May comes around (and just in time for Red Dead Redemption!). But, due to budget and space limitations, I am going to purchase only one console. Yes, one console only. It will be either a PS3 or an Xbox 360.

Note: I am not giving up PC gaming entirely. I simply want to supplement my overall gaming experience with a console. If a PC version of a game comes out, I will go for that over the console version anyday.

However, there are a few caveats I need you guys to help me figure out:

1. Is there going to be another Xbox 360 SKU in the near future? You know, something that is smaller and might use up less electricity?

2. What upcoming exclusives does either console have up its sleeve? Anything high profile from either system?

3. In your opinion, which console's online and community features do you find most compelling?

Thank you all in advance.

I dont know if you are into JRPGS's but really if you have a good pc there is no reason to get a 360. FPS games with a controller take some getting used to, and 360 is all about the fps games.

I used to have both systems and a good pc, until I sold my elite. In the end I enjoy PS3 online better for playing because its free, and home is a neat gimmick, but live is better (if you pay the 50 a year) because it just has more stuff on it.

Exclusives for ps3 that I enjoy:

Demons Souls

Heavenly Sword

Heavy Rain

FFXIII (It really looks better on ps3 in hd)

Uncharted

Uncharted 2

God of War III

Metal Gear Solid 4

Upcoming sequel to heavenly sword is coming out

I didnt list any fps games, because really those are meant to be played on a pc IMO

You simply CANNOT go wrong with either system...

just look at what exclusives are available and go from there?

Edit: since the guy above posted some PS3 exclusives I'll try and think of some for the 360...

Gears of War

Halo

Banjo Kazooie Nuts & bolts

Alan Wake

If you care about online gaming and are interested in games like Halo, GeOW, Crackdown and Fable than get a 360. But if you are still sticking with PC for online and games like ME than the PS3 will be a better choice as it has more sp games.

The 360 has Alan Wake, Reach, Crackdown 2, Fable 3 and GeOW 3 (next year) coming up.

Get a Wii. It's cheap, Nintendo games are awesome, and it will give you the most different experience from PC.

It sounds like you want Alan Wake, so get a 360, and they are very likely getting a slim for the Natal release.

You cant go wrong with either, but heres my take on em:

360:

360 usually has the better Multiplat version of games, but if you actually ended up going to PS3 route, you wont care about this. and theyre not THAT huge of differences anyway.

Live is still better than PSN, but its costs money. So take that into account. If your going to be palying online alot, this may be a big factor for you.

Keep in mind alot of 360s "Exclusives" are also on PC and are probaly better on PC. However, there is stuff like halo thats not on PC.

If you decide to go with 360, I would honestly wait till after E3, jsut in case MS does announce a slim 360 (which i think they will, wether or not they announce it at E3 or not). youll want to get that SKU because itll more than likely have a less chance of overheating.

Decide wether or not you really care anout Last FM, Twitter, and facebook on your console.

PS3:

You get one of the best Bluray Players

Free Online thats pretty much comparable to Live, but Live is still better overall.

Youll get alot of Exclusives you cant get anywhere else, including PC.

I generally think that Exclusives these days on PS3 are of higher Production quality than 360 ones.

If you care about 3-D, which honestly you shouldnt, PS3 is getting that feature very soon via a Firmware Update. But than again, if 3D catches on, so could 360.

I honestly think PS3 has a bit more room to grow as far asgraphics andTech is concerned, wether or not you care about that I cannot tell.

You can use any 2.5 inch SATA notebook drive for your storage needs, on 360 you have to pay their Exorbanite prices to get only a maximum of 250gbs.

So really, its up to you. Obviously im going to say that it would be more ideal to own both of them, but your only in the market for one right now, so I do hope I helped in some way.