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[kevstah2004]

They probably want it to go to something worthwhile rather than a quick fix you'll likely become bored with after a few goes. If you want something it's best not to pester them but explain to them every now and again why you want it and show them that you have a keen interest or show them an example of what you could use it for.

[Member_of_STARS]

If you're thinking like that, then you can put every bit of good customer support down to 'damage control'. It's a glass half full/empty kind of thing. Personally, I have nothing but respect for Microsoft's customer service department and their willingness to replace/mend every broken 360 for no charge, and extend the warranty every time it happens. Obviously there are trading standards and industry guidelines they have to follow too, but they are still on course to lose billions because of this. Admittably it shouldn't have happened in the first place, but at least they are admitting their faults and doing the right thing about it.

My 360 has suffered from the red ring twice, the first time was about 2 years after buying the console, the second six moths after that. Both times a private courier came to collect my console within 24 hours of contacting customer support and i had my console back within one week. They repaired my console the first time, and the second time they sent me a replacement. I guess it must have been pretty badly broken...

Think about it this way...

If you have a failure rate of 10-33%, you have severely messed up, and everyone knows it. What do you do? You have absolutely no choice but to up the warranty periods and take those consoles into repair. Theres absolutely no choice for you, otherwise you will never sell anything again. Luckily for MS, they are more than covered with XBL and their other businesses.

What would really constitute as "great customer service" is a company that does the same for its products that are otherwise reliable (sub 5% defective rate). For example, if your video card breaks down and its their fault, you call it in, they pay for the phonecall, the mail (to and back) and any other costs that would associate with returning and replacing the product, and do this all in the least ammount of wasted time possible. Its just an example, but I hope you know where Im getting with this.

Theres a difference between being forced to offer "quality customer service" and being known for offering it while not being forced to because you messed your products up.

A good example would be Logitech. Ive heard and read a truckload of legendary stories of their customer support.

[Gideon Quinn]

Like i said, it shouldn't have happened in the first place. I'm not disagreeing with you on this, but Microsoft are definitely being as helpful as they possibly can regarding the hardware failure issue. No doubt trading standards had a big part to play with that but for as long as i've used Microsoft products (Windows 3.1 anyone? ) Their customer support has always been reliable and helpful.

[TwinbeeMkII]

I don't have a 360 or PS3 yet but this seems to be the best place for this *hopes nobody gets mad*

Being fairly poor, getting one won't be easy in the least. That being said, I'm confused and scared. I've tried to figure the facts but due to fanboy rantings and hate attacks, I can't make heads or tails of the true facts. I keep hearing so many horror stories, I'm actually almost too scared to get either. Please...please help me. Which system really is best, and which will last me longest? *is so lost*

[missvalentine]

I don't have a 360 or PS3 yet but this seems to be the best place for this *hopes nobody gets mad*

Being fairly poor, getting one won't be easy in the least. That being said, I'm confused and scared. I've tried to figure the facts but due to fanboy rantings and hate attacks, I can't make heads or tails of the true facts. I keep hearing so many horror stories, I'm actually almost too scared to get either. Please...please help me. Which system really is best, and which will last me longest? *is so lost*

If money is your problem, Id say go for the 360. It is a good console, I like to compare the 360 and the PS3 like a plane ride.

360 is like economy class, it's cheap and gets things done, there are a lot of other people, but things break easy could be a lot better.

PS3 is like business class, It's expensive and comes with a lot of luxurious extras, but there isn't as many people around.

If you still can't decide, just go for the one that's exclusives fit your tastes best. I myself prefer the PS3 but I have both. I'm getting a Wii soon, if money is your problem you might also consider a Wii.

[Branden_Lucero]

I don't have a 360 or PS3 yet but this seems to be the best place for this *hopes nobody gets mad*

Being fairly poor, getting one won't be easy in the least. That being said, I'm confused and scared. I've tried to figure the facts but due to fanboy rantings and hate attacks, I can't make heads or tails of the true facts. I keep hearing so many horror stories, I'm actually almost too scared to get either. Please...please help me. Which system really is best, and which will last me longest? *is so lost*

consoles run on electricity which means they can fail any time they want. neither console is safe, not even the Wii, and not even the DS or the PSP. its all about taking the risk, and accepting the consequences.

you want fun? it comes at a price then: Money and Reliability.

[kevstah2004]

The fact that Microsoft built in a system to show faults just shows how shitty their console really is if the bug testers, threshold / strength tests had been done properly there wouldn't be any problems to begin with. It's just them trying to do stuff on the cheap all the time, is £5-10 extra really that big a deal to equip the console with a proper heatsink and thermal paste?

[Branden_Lucero]

The fact that Microsoft built in a system to show faults just shows how shitty their console really is, if they weren't trying to do stuff on the cheap all the time you would have any of these problems it's all about cost cutting is £5-10 extra really that big a deal to equip the console with a proper heatsink and thermal paste?

the console was rushed to the market so that it could be the leading platform of the next generation. just like how the PS1 and PS2 were rushed into the market. the consequence was faultiness.

[Stu]

consoles run on electricity which means they can fail any time they want. neither console is safe, not even the Wii, and not even the DS or the PSP. its all about taking the risk, and accepting the consequences.

What a wonderful point to make. Let's also make it clear that...you're just as likely to get hit by a bus carrying a 360 home as you are a PS3. Seems just as relevant!

It's simple...

As for games, the 360 has the slight edge. Better exclusives, and in most cases the games that're on both consoles have the slight edge on the 360. The 360 breakdown rate is massive compared to the PS3, but Microsoft will fix it for free with the most common errors. Both have decent enough online services, but you'll need to pay for Microsoft's on a monthly basis, but this gives you access to demos etc before those who without a Live Gold membership.

As a media hub though away from the games side of things, PS3 dominates.

Yeah i'm bored now.

[kevstah2004]

Sony's PS3 SDK just baffles non Japanese developers that's why xbox360 games are better ;-) it's reported to be full off mistranslations which won't help matters either, I doubt the ps3 will ever reach it's full potential for the same reasons the ps2 still hasn't.

[missvalentine]

As for games, the 360 has the slight edge. Better exclusives, and in most cases the games that're on both consoles have the slight edge on the 360.

I think that is entirely a matter of opinion.

I have both, and I find the exclusives on the PS3 to be much more appealing to me. Plus, all the 360 exclusives aren't really exclusive since they are on PC as well.

In the which has more games argument some people bring up. That is just stupid. I highly doubt anyone would bye, let alone play every game on a system. There are more than enough on both systems.

[Member_of_STARS]

I think that is entirely a matter of opinion.

I have both, and I find the exclusives on the PS3 to be much more appealing to me. Plus, all the 360 exclusives aren't really exclusive since they are on PC as well.

In the which has more games argument some people bring up. That is just stupid. I highly doubt anyone would bye, let alone play every game on a system. There are more than enough on both systems.

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, stop right there.

You shouldnt bring PC into this, because most of those "non exclusive" ports are so bad and buggy that they cant be considered games by any standards.

Secondly, these forums are not really populated with PC gamers, otherwise I would have told the man to ditch both ideas, get 500 bucks and go for a gaming grade PC.

[missvalentine]

Whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa, stop right there.

You shouldnt bring PC into this, because most of those "non exclusive" ports are so bad and buggy that they cant be considered games by any standards.

Secondly, these forums are not really populated with PC gamers, otherwise I would have told the man to ditch both ideas, get 500 bucks and go for a gaming grade PC.

I wouldn't know, I have never played them on PC. But the fact is most of them are still in the PC. And Ive seen a few PC gamers here.

I game on my PC occasionally.

[WeskerIncarnate]

I wouldn't know, I have never played them on PC. But the fact is most of them are still in the PC. And Ive seen a few PC gamers here.

I game on my PC occasionally.

Resident Evil 2 Platinum Edition for the win?

And in response to your earlier post:

Microsoft supports both platforms.

It's called "Games for Windows". Keyword "Windows".

So it technically is an exclusive. Just not a console exclusive.

[Member_of_STARS]

I wouldn't know, I have never played them on PC. But the fact is most of them are still in the PC. And Ive seen a few PC gamers here.

I game on my PC occasionally.

The *fact* is that you shouldnt talk about exclusives if the ports of those games are unplayable and below any standards of quality. For me, most of those "nonexclusive ports" just dont exist. They only count if you want to win an argument "on paper" and not if you want to make one console look better above the other. The guy asked for help, so some objective info should be thrown in to help him reach a decision.

The only reasons why one would consider to buying a PS3 right now would be because of brandloyalty and because they would be too lazy to deal with the RROD on their X360. Like I said, I would have ditched them both and gone for a PC, but out of those two options, X360 has the advantage in the most important category, which is *games*.