Console question

Get a 360. I have one, and all my friends have one. Yea, you have to pay for online gaming and other things, but it is worth it. Plus, HALO tops it off. The only downfall of the Xbox is that they are made to break. I have had to get mine fixed twice, and it was a big hassle. I got it fixed then like two monthes later it broke again.
 
I have both as well. Got a ps3 for my girlfriend so it is pretty much mine. lol. We both have 360's (I know, she is awesome). While the ps3 is free online there is a reason. Mine pisses me off. It takes about 6 tries to update the system and then I can't sign online to play games unless I do it from the playstation store. Makes me furious. For 300 though you get a 120 gb hard drive. Nice, but got the same thing for my elite 360. I have already used more space on the ps3 because downloads and everything take a ton more space. The bluray is amazing though! Avatar on bluray is awesome. Mag is amazing. But 360 controllers feel better in my hands. I am a 360 fan. They update well, cool games (only 3 that are worth buying on ps3 that aren't on xbox, mag, jakes uncharted, and little big planet is cool too but that's about it), online doesn't cut out like ps3, it's a better system for my needs. With all that said, the ps3 is a better family system with the games and the bluray. Go with what will get the most use for you and your family.
 
And saying something breaks a lot is really just how well you take care of it. When I was taking mine to my friends houses (the 360), it broke once. I broke the grill when packing it up. Microsoft actually fixed it and sent it back to me. Took about a month and a half though. It's just like a blaster, take care of it and it won't break and burn through top ends.
 
the xbox's burn up because the dumbass engineers put the super sophisticated graphics chip right in the path of the hot air from the CPU. you HAVE TO KEEP IT COOL. my buddy's burned up because it was in too small of a space with no air flow, if you leave it in the open, it will be fine. also don't leave it on for extreme periods of time