OK, here is the dilemma I am facing: which to buy, an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3?

Currently we are a PS2 household, also have a PSP, with a library of 75 or so games I guess. Mainly used by myself and my 8 year old son/6 year old daughter and their friends.

I'm looking to upgrade for all the usual reasons, not least 'just because' but also specifically to take advantage of hooking the console up to an HD LCD TV.

Despite the existing archive of PS2 games, I am veering towards the Xbox 360, like the fact that it's available now (PS3 doesn't launch until March in the UK) has easy connectivity for iPod/PSP, makes it easy to stream media from the laptop, has good HDTV connectivity, etc. Also, it is much cheaper than the PS3 will be, and I am not too concerned about the Blu-Ray aspe ct of the PS3 over HD-DVD.

But is there anything else I should take into account? And in my position, what would you do?

The Nintendo Wii isn't really on the radar here as far as our next console is concerned, so no point trying to convince me I should be looking in that direction.

The streaming is only available if you have Windows Media Centre Edition 2005 by the way

Im personally veering towards the 360 tho as my frinds have them.

DONT GET THE BASIC/CORE PACKAGE ON PAIN OF DEATH - IT IS USELESS!

I have an Xbox 360 and am excited about getting a Wii very soon. I am not planning on getting a PS3 because I am not a first person shooter / RPG type of gal, and all of the games that are available for the PS3 that I do play, are also available for the Xbox 360.

Basic packages are not my style

The Nintendo stock game types have never really held much appeal here, the whole cartoony/platformer type emphasis doesn't do it for me. That said, I like the controller but understand something very similar is heading for the 360 soon.

a friend of mine FROM COLLEGE has a wii. there good but sold out here in the uK, also there recalling loads as the wrist straps are too thin so the wiimote flies straight into your 42" hdtv

The whole cartoony feel is more up my alley, actually. I am looking forward to being able to reminisce about my old SNES days.

Here's my take on the whole situation with the PS3 and the Xbox 360:

The Xbox 360's timing is perfect. With the exception of the "basic" package, which is most likely going to be bought for little Tom whose parents don't understand why they should get the full package, I think that the Xbox 360 has got the sweet spot in gaming. It's got enough features to make it a "next-gen" console, while it doesn't go all out to keep the price attractive.

The Playstation 3 on the other hand, is totally future-proofed. Almost too much. They have Blu-ray. Incredible processor and graphics. Even a controller with Wii-like features to it. Sony won't have to be worrying about upgrading this console for a while. However, all these features come at a price.

If I were buying a console right now, I would probably buy the Xbox 360. I've played on one before, and it's really fun. However, if I were buying later, I'd probably wait for the PS3's price to come down, as it will probably win in the future.

I must admit to having fond memories of Mario on my N64, but then again I also liked playing a game of tennis on one of my Magnavox Odyssey consoles as well. I have three complete consoles, all boxed and with original documents, in perfect working order.

OK, I admit it, I am something of an old video gamer geek. I have an attic housing in excess of 1000 examples from those first home video game Odyssey units onwards, including far too many Nintendo Watch and Game units for my own good

Ideally I would buy both, in fact in an ideal world I'd have the Wii as well. Unfortunately, my wife has put her foot down (understandably enough) and says only one console in the lounge. Now, I like playing with my kids, in the one room and don't much fancy the idea of different consoles in different rooms - as the chances are the others would get little real play. So I have to make a choice.

Oh, I hate being a geek sometimes