I don't think MS realises yet that the next year or so console sales will have to branch out to the second tier gamer to get any growth.
I mean the hardcore gamer market is already pretty saturated, they don't care about how noisy or unreliable or bluray or not etc. they just want killer games in a few set genres.
The real growth in the coming year will have to come from the guys and gals that like their games but need to justify the console to their partners, or to themselves.
For these poeple, things like blu-ray and quiet running and wifi etc. *are* important. It won't really matter to them which console runs the game *slightly* better than the other, only that game X is available for it.
This is where MS could drop the ball, lots of my friends are second tier gamers, and they love movies as well, most are now looking at the PS3 instead of the 360, even though most are also xbox1 owners. they like that they can put their own hard drive in it, that it is relatively quiet, that it has bluray capability, and that there isn't a lot of 'buzz' around about them failing hardware-wise.
They look at the games coming out, and most are available for both, wether it be GTA, or rockband or if they like car racing, they can still get great driving games on *either* platform. they see it as a wash as far as games are concerned. at first glance they look the same on both platforms.
If MS put a bluray in it, or had a cheapish bluray addon, and the 360 was quieter, I think most would buy a 360 now, and get the bluray player (or not) later. it would make them safe knowing there was the option.
The 360 is going to look overpriced and a bit tired features-wise soon, and a lot of second tier buyers just look at the specsheet.
Hmm this one has wireless, a bluray player, is quieter and the other one doesn't. they both have games I want. If I option the MS one up with wireless and the 120GB it comes to more money and I don't get bluray.
as long as the PS3 gets a halfway decent games library up this year, I think MS is going to struggle.
Sony has a history of making them smaller and cheaper, and more manufacturers of Bluray drives should help with that. If sony brings out a smaller, cheaper PS3 this year, then MS will have serious trouble on its hands.