With Microsoft cutting the price of its top Xbox 360 to $299, matching the newly lowered price of Sony's PlayStation 3, which system should you get if you have neither?

I'll say right off the bat that I have both consoles. With the price cuts, some gamers who have one system might be compelled to do the same. But I do like the PS3 better. Here are some of the reasons why:

  • The PS3 plays Blu-ray discs, as well as DVDs. The 360 only plays the latter.
  • The PS3 has built-in Wi-Fi. The 360 requires the purchase of a wireless adapter (which makes the price cut not really a match for those who want to play online.)
  • The PS3 has free online gaming through the PlayStation Network. Microsoft charges a subscription fee for Xbox Live Gold, which is required to play online.
  • The PS3 is quieter. I actually am amazed that more people don't complain about the racket the 360 makes.
  • The PS3 has a better controller with a built-in battery that goes longer on a charge. I've never cared for the 360's bulky controller.
  • The PS3 can be used to surf the Web. It's not as smooth as a computer, but it's better than the 360's nothing.
  • The PS3 is a more powerful machine that Sony is continually making better through free firmware updates. The 360 updates haven't been as impressive.

Having said all that, the Xbox 360 has one huge advantage: It's more popular, which might render all of my points moot with many people. The 360 also has more exclusive games that have been bigger hits, such as Halo, Gears of War and Left 4 Dead. There are also games for both systems, such as Fallout 3, that have downloadable content only on Xbox Live.

But I love PS3 exclusives, too, such as Uncharted, Resistance, Motorstorm and Ratchet & Clank.

So who wins between the 360 and PS3? With the matching price cuts, it's clearly gamers who win.