Friday, March 28, 2008
PS3 Or Laptop
Question: Should I get a PS3 or a laptop?
The obvious answer is both, but which one should I get first?
PS3:
I've got this 50 inch 1080p HDTV at home that is wasting its 1080p abilities because even HD channels via cable are only 720p or 1080i (less than 1080p for those that don't know). I can watch DVDs and they look "pretty good", but I've seen a movie or two with HD quality and it's pretty nice. So, if I had a Blu-ray player I could watch 1080p movies. Blu-ray's spec has not been finalized, which means if you buy a player now the movies you buy in a few years might not play. Tech savvy folks like me can fix this buy downloading and installing firmware updates for the "old" Blu-ray player, but the average Joe's only safe Blu-ray bet is to get a PS3 since it will automatically download and install firmware updates if you plug it into the internet.
Anyway, it is probably obvious that I'm mostly considering a PS3 because I want a Blu-ray player. However, fringe benefits are the ability to play Guitar Hero / Rock Band and maybe a few other games now and then.
Laptop:
I don't need to tell everybody that a laptop can do pretty much anything I want it to do. I won't play games on it. I will sit in front of the TV and search on wikipedia when I have a question. I will sit in coffee shops with free wifi and drink trendy drinks. I will watch a movie on my laptop while riding an airplane - because I can. You see, these are all things that I can't do right now because I do not have a laptop.
The most important part of having a laptop is that I can do side work on it. I am a software developer and being able to take my work on the road will help me with possibly starting up my own business or at least doing a little bit of supplemental contracting side work.
The only other argument I might consider is getting an Xbox 360 first, since I like more of the games it has and most HD content will be downloadable within a year anyway. But, you know what? I don't want to download a movie for 3 days before I can watch it.
The obvious answer is both, but which one should I get first?
PS3:
I've got this 50 inch 1080p HDTV at home that is wasting its 1080p abilities because even HD channels via cable are only 720p or 1080i (less than 1080p for those that don't know). I can watch DVDs and they look "pretty good", but I've seen a movie or two with HD quality and it's pretty nice. So, if I had a Blu-ray player I could watch 1080p movies. Blu-ray's spec has not been finalized, which means if you buy a player now the movies you buy in a few years might not play. Tech savvy folks like me can fix this buy downloading and installing firmware updates for the "old" Blu-ray player, but the average Joe's only safe Blu-ray bet is to get a PS3 since it will automatically download and install firmware updates if you plug it into the internet.
Anyway, it is probably obvious that I'm mostly considering a PS3 because I want a Blu-ray player. However, fringe benefits are the ability to play Guitar Hero / Rock Band and maybe a few other games now and then.
Laptop:
I don't need to tell everybody that a laptop can do pretty much anything I want it to do. I won't play games on it. I will sit in front of the TV and search on wikipedia when I have a question. I will sit in coffee shops with free wifi and drink trendy drinks. I will watch a movie on my laptop while riding an airplane - because I can. You see, these are all things that I can't do right now because I do not have a laptop.
The most important part of having a laptop is that I can do side work on it. I am a software developer and being able to take my work on the road will help me with possibly starting up my own business or at least doing a little bit of supplemental contracting side work.
The only other argument I might consider is getting an Xbox 360 first, since I like more of the games it has and most HD content will be downloadable within a year anyway. But, you know what? I don't want to download a movie for 3 days before I can watch it.
Labels: gadgets, HD, laptop, PS3, xbox
¶ 1:30 PM
Comments:
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If you're looking for a way to make extra cash and have the work lined up to do so then a laptop is a solid decision, although significantly more expensive. Getting a laptop could also make it more likely that you'll be doing more work, not having fun. I personally say to stay away from the laptop and separate from the office a little.
If you're looking to have a cheap way to enjoy 1080 splendor then I say go for the PS3. The quality is definitely worth it. Their games suck though and you'll likely end up wanting a 360 anyway.
If you think can actually get in some game time, don't care to do more work (laptop scenario), and can live with the present tv situation (especially given that it will be quite a while before anything good starts coming out of the entertainment industry again) I say go for the 360. I'd likely throw in a Wii to boot though. Lately Lindsay and I have been having a blast playing Trauma Center 2 co-op. This scenario will give you excellent options for your hardcore gaming with titles like Gears of War, Call of Duty 4, Forza, Halo, unique gaming mechanics and fun games that you can play with the wife, AND HD movie capability. We've also been watching a lot of movies in just 720 from Xbox Live and they're good enough for now in my opinion.
If you're looking to have a cheap way to enjoy 1080 splendor then I say go for the PS3. The quality is definitely worth it. Their games suck though and you'll likely end up wanting a 360 anyway.
If you think can actually get in some game time, don't care to do more work (laptop scenario), and can live with the present tv situation (especially given that it will be quite a while before anything good starts coming out of the entertainment industry again) I say go for the 360. I'd likely throw in a Wii to boot though. Lately Lindsay and I have been having a blast playing Trauma Center 2 co-op. This scenario will give you excellent options for your hardcore gaming with titles like Gears of War, Call of Duty 4, Forza, Halo, unique gaming mechanics and fun games that you can play with the wife, AND HD movie capability. We've also been watching a lot of movies in just 720 from Xbox Live and they're good enough for now in my opinion.
# posted by 
: March 28, 2008 2:04 PM
: March 28, 2008 2:04 PM
Until the PS3 has HALO 3 I don't see any other option than a X-Box 360. With the all the best titles being on X-Box or having X-Box exclusive content and the dropping price of Blue-Ray players I would go with a 360, oh wait I did. You can now get a Blue-Ray player on sale for about $100.
There are other reasons to get a laptop but next month you won’t be able to play GTA4 on your laptop with exclusive X-Box live downloadable content! Or I could just come and live on you couch and bring my 360:)
There are other reasons to get a laptop but next month you won’t be able to play GTA4 on your laptop with exclusive X-Box live downloadable content! Or I could just come and live on you couch and bring my 360:)
Consider who you live with. Does she really want you spending more time on the computer? NO! Laptop is out, it's best that the computer stays inconveniently tucked away in the office.
Isn't your birthday coming up? Maybe you should tell everyone to chip in and buy you the PS3, then you won't have to decide if you should buy it. They will buy it for you...of course I'm not going to be one the "theys" I don't have any cash, you're getting a semi used something from my closet...do you want a guitar? No, I want a guitar. Do you want a workout video for ladies from the 1980s? I think you do!!!!
Isn't your birthday coming up? Maybe you should tell everyone to chip in and buy you the PS3, then you won't have to decide if you should buy it. They will buy it for you...of course I'm not going to be one the "theys" I don't have any cash, you're getting a semi used something from my closet...do you want a guitar? No, I want a guitar. Do you want a workout video for ladies from the 1980s? I think you do!!!!
You'll love this reason to get a Wii...
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/superpiipii.html
http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/superpiipii.html
# posted by : April 04, 2008 8:53 AM
: April 04, 2008 8:53 AM
Okay, I got the laptop...err, well, I ordered the laptop. I'll get it in mid-May. I ordered a bunch of irregular stuff so it'll take a number of weeks to build.
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