This message is coming from a guy who owns all of the big three consoles out now (5 if you count psp and ds also) systems as well as 25 other systems and been playing for 30 years.
Sony recently dropped the ps3 price to 299. I will compare it to a 360 elite system since that is microsofts highest end system and is priced at 399 still.
Ps3 has built in included wifi connection for wireless internet, the 360 does not. It will cost you another 100 bucks to buy an addon for the 360 to get wifi. (do note ps3 also includes ethernet for a wired internet connection also so you get both).
Ps3 has bluetooth and usb ports for flash drives, keyboard, mice, microphones, headsets, earpieces and so on, the 360 has neither nor can you add them on.
Ps3 comes with hdmi cables for hi def, Microsoft recently said they were going to stop putting HD cables in with elite systems.
Ps3 has 100% free online gaming, the 360 charges you a annual fee to play any game online or even have a friends list. Ps3 also has something called Home which is 100% free and optional to use where you make a character and run through a virtual world with other people, chat, check out themed areas like a resident evil 5 area with mini games, trailers playing on big screens, an apartment you get to own and decorate.
Ps3 can play blu ray high def movies and has a really good upconvert on dvds, 360 can only play normal dvds and doesnt improve their picture any. Its kind of cool you can download a movie on your pc, put it on a flash drive, put the flash drive in your ps3 and watch the movie file on your pc also.
Not to mention the ps3 runs dead quiet vs a 360 which is quite loud. And ps3 is known for being a pretty problem free machine while 360 even to this day still suffers from hardware problems, hell gamestop stopped taking extended warranties on them (don’t know if they do again now or not) because so many people were bringing them back with problems.
Far as games go both systems have 90% of the exact same games. All big names games like wolfenstein, bioshock 1 and 2, call of duty 4, fallout 3, grand theft auto 4, modern warfare 2, batman arkahm asylum, guitar hero/rock band, madden 10, assassins creed 1 and 2 and so on are on both systems and will continue to be released on both.
Each year the list of exclusive games gets smaller. But personally the games on the ps3 that are exclusive I like better and have more of a variety to them. Killzone 2, MAG, noir, final fantasy 13 versus, DC universe online, final fantasy 14 online, uncharted 1 and 2, little big planet, flower, god of war 3, gran turismo 5, super stardust hd, metal gear solid 4, resistance 1 and 2, ratchet and clank tools of destruction, white knight chronicles, heavy rain among another dozen titles coming out in the next year that are ps3 only I like better. But all big name big production games will be on both systems.
And well, I personally like the ps3 controllers better.