Not really. PS3's speed was ~9MB/s IIRC, while 360's was maxed at ~16MB/s. That is a decent gap, although somewhat misleading (IIRC, Blu-ray has constant read speeds, while DVD is variable depending on where on the disc it is reading...and I guess 16 is the max, and I'm thinking it was even slower for dual-layer, which most games are). You could argue that relative to overall capacity, it was slow I guess. Though not sure it makes a huge difference. A lot of PS3 games wanted to install game data on HDD to improve loading, but they'd probably want to do that no matter what (plus it allows them to not worry too much about optimizing reading from optical discs). On top of that, PS3's Blu-ray was restricted to using 2x, since it was a new technology. PS4 (and presumably the next Xbox) can use a faster drive (though they won't get too fast since it might make too much noise). PS4 specifically has 6x, which is around 30MB/s IIRC. I think Wii U uses a Blu-ray like technology, but I'm not sure what the specs are on it exactly (good old Nintendo). BTW, if the next Xbox stuck with DVD, the console could store more in its RAM than it could on its disc format. That just doesn't seem right. Next-gen will probably continue to push putting game data on the HDD (for a variety of reasons), so likely even less of an issue.
for the first time since n64 release, i may pick up a console system, leaning towards the ps4, mainly because i don't like paying monthly
You're assuming Sony won't charge for monthly online play. (I'm hoping they don't, but gamers have shown they're perfectly happy paying for something that should be free).
I thought the rumor was that they were going to start charging. From Sony's perspective, they can either keep it free, hoping that will help make gamers choose the PS4 over the 720. Or they can look at XBox Live, see that a lot of gamers don't seem to have a problem paying for online service, and look at it as a method to boost their own revenue. Whatever they think will make them the most money, that's what they'll do.
The current rumor (IIRC) is that they'll have a subscription service, but it wasn't clear what made up the service. If it is basically PS+ with a few new features (maybe cloud stuff for sharing content, Gaikai stuff, etc.), then that will be pretty awesome (PS+ is already amazing, and is an example of how subscription services should be done IMO). But as you pointed out, they may decide to charge for online play, if they don't think free online play would net the most profit. edit: If they charge for PS4 online play, I wonder if they'll retrofit that to PS3 too. If you get a Gaikai PS3 game, but want to play it online, it would (theoretically?) be free, but then you'd have to pay to play a PS4 game.
It's a placeholder until they reveal the actual name. And if you 720, people will have a better idea of what you're talking about than if you say "Durango".
I like using Durango. (I get why it doesn't make sense to use it. Though I prefer "next Xbox" or something along those lines over 720.)
1k for steambox <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/khX9sWi834E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I haven't really followed it, but it sounded like Valve was distancing themselves from the Xi3 (like those guys were just calling it a "Steambox" to get more attention/sales). Though it is a box than can run Steam....so I guess you could call it a Steambox.
VGLeaks with more on Durango (though not a lot new, just more specific details on memory system): http://www.vgleaks.com/durango-memory-system-overview/ http://www.vgleaks.com/durango-memory-system-example/
I screwed up and posted this in the wrong thread initially, but here's some VGLeaks info about Durango's XDK: http://www.vgleaks.com/durango-xdk/ Some points: Also, they say FF Versus is now FFXV and a PS4 game. Sony is apparently co-developing, whatever that means.
