Depends on what you want out of your console

I've got the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. In my opinion, as a home entertainment system (thanks to the inclusion of blu-ray and LOVEFiLM) that facilitates gaming, the PS3 wins. As a dedicated gaming console that offers home entertainment, the 360 wins. I use the Xbox controller on both consoles as Sony's controller doesn't suit me at all.

I have an original Xbox that was playing up, outside the 12-month warranty. Microsoft collected the unit and replaced the DVD drive free of charge. I still had problems. So Microsoft collected the unit again and replaced the motherboard free of charge. It's still going strong to this day, three years on. No complaints from me.

Never without it

I received my iPad on the day of launch in 2010. There hasn't been a day since where I haven't used it, sometimes for hours, and I spend all day in front of multiple monitors at work.

I don't play games, but I read. A lot. Plus with the iPlayer and web browsing, AirPlay, I can check my security cameras wherever I am ... brilliant. I could do all this with a laptop of course, but I don't need the added weight or the keyboard. The battery life and compact size and weight of the iPad makes it more convenient.

Oh what a surprise. Not.

I was with BT at the time and later discovered (in no small part to El Reg's efforts on this) that I'd been Phormed.

The CPS is a disgrace. Although their decision is typical, i.e. putting big organisations / business and profits ahead of morality and the law.

Video plays fine on my iPad

... using HTML5. I guess they updated it?

I like it

I've got to say that despite being stuck in front of four monitors during working hours (or perhaps precisely for that reason?) not 24-hours has gone by since I received my iPad on UK launch day, where I haven't used it for reading, surfing and more.

It's far from perfect but it's so much more comfortable in use than a netbook and I wouldn't want to be without it. Unsurprisingly YMMV.

As an ex-Fanboy...

...My feeling is that should Apple's complete control of the iOS platform be a success -- and it will be, because most don't give a toss, they just want new shiny as conveniently as possible -- then the App Store is next.

It may not be OS X Lion, it may be a couple of incarnations along, but rest assured: Steve has his eye on ensuring that all our purchasing goes through Him and He will only be satisfied when all Apple devices are locked down tighter than a lead-lined coffin. Convenient for the user? Sure. Restrictive? Absolutely.

ANY attempt...

... to improve the life of these workers who feed our ever growing need for electronic tat is a damn good thing. Now I don't believe for one moment that Apple are angels, but they are using their power and influence in a good way (at least in this arena).

So less of the snark from people on *this* issue -- there's *plenty* of other things to whinge about when it comes to Apple, but this isn't one of them. I should know, I rant about Apple all the time and I'm a fanboy!

Feck! Arse!

I'm a self-confessed fanboy of the cult who has encouraged four other people to buy into Apple desktops and I'm embarrassed and annoyed at Cupertino's intransigent behaviour. Apple have always been restrictive, perhaps justifiably, but it seems that they don't know how to reign in their controlling ways.

For me, the walled garden is less comfortable. Apple are land mining the flower beds, you can't move about as freely, there are piranha in the swimming pool and canopies block out the sun. And everyone is being forced to pay 30% for the privilege down the food chain.

I am giving serious consideration to a Linux box, as choosing a different OS developer with whom to do business is one of the few choices left.

Don't give Microsoft your card details

Back in the very early days of Xbox Live (on the original Xbox) I entered my credit card details into the Xbox console. Some time before the anniversary for renewal approached, I could see no way of *removing* said card, so to be absolutely sure of cancelling the subscription, I overwrote the card number with zeros (which it allowed me to do), changed the address and indicated wherever I could see, that I didn't want to renew membership.

Around this time I moved house, forgot about Live and never took the console online again.

I got charged an annual membership renewal anyway and ended up spending no small amount of time on the phone to Ireland (I think it was) trying to get a refund. In cancelling my account I had to run the gamut of the hard sell with a Microsoft operative hell bent on forcing me to justify why I was intentionally being such a fool for wanting to leave such a wonderful service. For the record, I don't overly enjoy self flagellation or protestation.

I pay for a gold account on Live once again, purchased DLC etc, but I will never give Microsoft my credit card details. Ever. I rely instead on retail or online purchased payment scratch cards.

This lady was probably a bit of a nerf for not checking, and I find it a bit incredulous that it went on for months without her noticing, but I have a *tiny* bit of empathy for her plight.

Terrible, terrible idea

I don't get the whole 3D fad at all. I'm holding out for the inevitable holographic edition!

Fuck you

Yeah, Reg hacks *do* behave like sad little twats. Which is a shame because it ain't a bad little website, apart from the staff attitude.

So fuck you (again).

"FanBois", is lazy and insulting

>> Its starting to get old, a little like M$.

"FanBois" is beyond old. I can understand a publication wanting to take pot shots at commercial entities -- Apple, Microsoft, have at it I say. I don't care. It's the constant insulting of the readership that pisses me off.

I've been a visiting for more years than I care to remember, but I've just about had enough. With the low attitude of the editorial staff, they wouldn't give a toss if we all left.

Time for the medication

I hate adverts in any form, they are at best an unwanted distraction. Despite being an Apple fan, I have nothing but contempt for iAds. Still, before I hyperventilate to collapse like many on this site, I will at least wait to see how it is implemented before I smash my iPhone to pieces.

Pathetic ... again

The constant insults against owners of Apple products has gone well beyond old.

Moronic article

Typical El Reg rantgasm against Apple. Four out of 5 developers, when asked, now say they are intend to develop for the iPad ... yeah, that's sounds like a fail....

@ Clive Galway

Hard drives are not hermetically sealed.

To add my voice to this debate: in cases where *any* electrical appliance from *any* manufacturer is found to be coated in "tar from cigarette smoke", then no warranty should cover *any* kind of repair. It's simple really.

Microsoft Trackball Explorer

@Andrew. I agree with you about the Microsoft Trackball Explorer. I've got a spare should the one on my desk ever die (currently using it with a Mac), because I'd be completely lost without it.

The trackball 'ball' controlled by the index/middle fingers is way more controllable than the types where the thumb is used. I experienced RSI, and my first Logitech trackball 'thumb ball' mouse made matters worse with my thumb hovering and wobbling around under strain. 'Twas horrible.

All's well

No problems for me with VMware + Leopard update. And I never have any problems with Spaces + VMWare.

Keyboard

I converted to an Apple MacPro a year or so ago and have never looked back. I've both the full size aluminium keyboard and the wireless one (without numeric keypad) for use on my media centre Mac Mini. After years of using Microsoft ergonomic keyboards I can say they are a delight to type on.

Although I should add that I use the numeric keyboard all the time, so on balance I much prefer the full size keyboard version.

RC

Worked fine with regular update on Mac Pro + Mini. Lucky I guess?

Well done El Reg et al

This is the thin edge of the wedge and if BT (and other ISPs) get away with this, who knows where it will end.

Sadly I'm a BT customer, so as soon as BT change the T&Cs I'm off to another ISP.

It sucks

I'm going to leave BT for the best ISP to guarantee that they won't be using Phorm technology. BT and the rest of them stink and Phorm ... are dubious guardians of our privacy at best.

And don't forget

"- If you're staying on 'option 1' you have to make at least one chargeable call per month or you lose the free calls at weekends."

And you've got to make a minimum of two chargeable calls per month to avoid being charged £1.50 (£18 pa) for caller display.