Xbox vs PS2 longevity and durability?

[Ghostwind]

Ok you bunch of self-proclaimed experts...

I'm toying with breaking down and either getting a PS2 or Xbox (leaning towards the Xbox). I know all about the differences in graphics, memory, game selection, etc. The part I am not certain about is the longevity of the unit itself. When I look at reviewer comments on Amazon, one of the biggest complaints is the fact that it breaks down quickly and isn't very durable. But I've also heard similar complaints about the PS2. So, which is better in terms of longevity life of the unit itself and mechanical breakdown?

Thoughts?

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

I own both and my PS2 has a sickening layer of dust upon it do to non-use.

Theirs always a chance something will go wrong, and you should always backup your important files (game saves) to an off location spot. (backing that save up to the same hard drive does not count.) That said I've really had no serious issues with my Xbox and I dearly love it but it does contain a hard drive and every hard drive will eventual fail. (usually many years later)

 

[Simplicity]

I have both of them, and have never really had durability issues with either one. I would guess that unless you are hauling it all over the place. If you're just thinking of buying one of them now, the consoles will probably be obselete before they actually break down (they are beginning to approach the end of their lifetimes).

Unless you like the Japanese imports, the games on the Xbox (in my opinion) have gotten better than the games on the PS2. Mostly, I think, because it's rather easy to port a game between the Xbox and the PC.

If you need a DVD player though, the PS2 lets you do it without buying an extra doodad...

 

[reiella]

PS3 going to be prototyped 'soonish' (think 2005 or so, but I'm out of the loop).

If you get an X-Box, be sure you're not getting a Thompson drive (it's difficult to tell, check on gamefaq's Hardware faq pages possibly for some help). It has a bad laser that trouble reading dual-layer DVDs, and unlike the nice (legally obligated) folks at sony, Microsoft won't freely replace the system if it has a bad laser lens. The X-Boxes have also just had a big problem with system integrity (the earlier systems would fry themselves because they lacked adequate cooling for instance). The last two 'batches' of X-Boxes are pretty solid though.

Ultimately though, it comes down to what games you want to play on the system.

 

[trancejeremy]

I have both - I've had the Xbox for almost a year, and the PS2 for almost 2 years.

My PS2 sounds like it's on it's last legs. It's starting to have trouble reading games, and it sounds terrible. It might just be the laser out of whack, which is an easy fix. This was a problem with the original PSX, I'd have to readjust the laser ever year or so (my theory being that the seasons affect it)

The Xbox still works great. Apparently the key here is which DVD drive you have. There's 3 different types, the Samsung, the Philips, and the Thompson. The Samsung apparently is great, the Philips average, and the Thompson can only be described in words that violate the rules here. I got a Samsung, luckily.

Anyway, from what I've read, both have at least 2 more years (2004 and 2005) before they are phased out in favor of the next models. Some rumors say they'll show up in late 2005, but I doubt that.

 

[satori01]

Xboxes have a better reputation concerning durabilty, PS2 are generally considered rather feeble things.

I have seen Xboxes dropped from 7' heights and work fine. Used Xboxes are resold quite often and have very little defective returns.

Many brand new PS2s are returned with defective disc readers, or the notorious
"cant play the blue CD" defect.

 

[Goobermunch]

I will say that I got an Xbox in May of 2002 and it was dead by September. Of course this wouldn't normally have been a problem except that it had a rented movie stuck inside.

Some older Xboxes had an issue where their logic board would fry. I got mine repaired and it's worked great since. However, it cost me $240-ish to do so . . . I might as well have bought a new one.

Just my 2 cp.

--G

 

[tburdett]

Ok you bunch of self-proclaimed experts...

I'm toying with breaking down and either getting a PS2 or Xbox (leaning towards the Xbox). I know all about the differences in graphics, memory, game selection, etc. The part I am not certain about is the longevity of the unit itself. When I look at reviewer comments on Amazon, one of the biggest complaints is the fact that it breaks down quickly and isn't very durable. But I've also heard similar complaints about the PS2. So, which is better in terms of longevity life of the unit itself and mechanical breakdown?

Thoughts?

People I know who have had to replace their X-Box: 4
People I know how have had to replace their PS 2: 0

 

[Henry]

I'll throw my two cents in - I recently purchased second-hand an XBox for my wife, and so far it's been a dream to use. Granted, I've only had it a couple of months, but it has shown no problems with playing DVD's, storing MP3's, or playing any of its games. I enjoy the controls better than the PS2, which is why I purchased it in preference. My wife has now become a video game junkie (when she gets a chance to play it).

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Assuming you haven't seen this, it really should help you make up your mind.

Most anticipated X-Box games of 2004 - http://xbox.ign.com/articles/474/474759p1.html

Most anticipated PS2 games of 2004 - http://ps2.ign.com/articles/474/474314p1.html

In my opinion, the X-box is simply the better system. The games are getting better every day (with some very nice titles on he horizon) and I've personally had no trouble with my X-Box.

Besides, that's what warranties are for.