at the time, i was working at a large store as PC sales. I had a 360 on Launch date (actually I bought 4, as the discount I got meant I could sell the other 3 on ebay at a premium and basically get mine for free)
Xbox Live carries the 360 IMO without it, its just another console. I had an Xbox1 since launch, so PS2/3 pads just feel 'wrong'.
My older bro won a PS3 through a local radio show and he got it the other day, and all Ive had from him is a text saying "this is awesome" lol But I don't live near enough to go have a go
If your loaded and play offline - PS3
If your not loaded and wanna play online - Xbox 360
Oh and its free to download WMV-HD movies, and then stream through Connect-360 or from DL DVD's. Blue Ray is expensive as fuck, so if you already have a nice HD tv, go 360.