Microsoft killed Xbox in 2005. They only released it in Japan in 2002. The point of getting a console is that you don't have to upgrade every 3 years like you do to play PC games. Look at how long PS1 and PS2 lasted. Look at how long Xbox lasted, and with 3 years of a system life they didn't even support any decent backwards compatibility. While killing Xbox, to beat Sony into the market they rushed a piece of shit Xbox 360 version that had a huge percentage of fatal crashes with the infamous "ring of death," because they're Microsoft and have so much money they want to just overpower the gaming console market. They lost 4 billion with Xbox and as a result just pumped in more money to 360. They take a huge loss to have to replace their defective 360s and don't care, because customers for some reason are happy with getting a fix 360 as long as they're not charged for it.
Microsoft products are shitty, they're not innovative and they're forced down your throat. Their services are shoved down your throat and the legs beneath them are cut the second they've got another product to shove down your throat.
Sony is a heartless corporation only interested in money just the same as Microsoft, but Sony doesn't force its PS2 users to upgrade to next gen in order to continue getting support. Maybe that makes the market, right now, while PS2 isn't dead yet, a slower next gen crossover than Xbox was, but it means that I can trust Sony when I plop 600 bucks down for my PS3 that in 2010 they'll still be making PS3 games while you plop down another 400 bucks for your Xbox3, rebuy all your controllers, accessories and throw away your useless 360 games that won't run on it.
You think it's dumb to buy a PS3 based on PS1 and PS2 success? You think it's dumb to buy a Sony brand because I've never bought a Sony product that wasn't top quality and supported by a company that's loyal to its customers? You think it's dumb to avoid Microsoft, the 1000 pound gorilla of a company that makes its mark in the industry by fucking over people, that churns out buggy shit year after year and forces people to buy or be incompatible? You think the nearly 2 million PS3s out there are because people prefer to pay 200 bucks more? They prefer Resistance to Gears of War? No, people buy PS3 because they trust Sony and when in a few months out and the games are competitive and gamers are going to be chosing between Microsoft and Sony for their system, Microsoft is going to have to buy a hell of a lot more gaming studios to keep these trends up.
Yeah it's a decent machine, and it's no worse than PS3 until the next gen of games come out, but it's a Microsoft product and I know the Microsoft approach to business. Run your competitors out of business, grab market share, create constant, forced upgrades and overcharge for shit.