The College Student: PS4 vs Xbox One

Because of its $100 cheaper price, does the PS4 already win in the college student market?

[mcroddi]

400 bucks plus 50 for PSN Plus gives one a major advantage with the subscription based free game instant library.

[Kydawg]

College students are supposed to be smart right? So PS4.

[Hydrolex]

Sometimes not, the way Microsoft planned X1, I wondered, did they even attend college ? Horrible marketing... Do they even lift ?

[Hydrolex]

on the other hand, Sony planned it so nice that made Microsoft change its plans LOL DRM and 24/7 online thing that were changed later

[JunioRS101]

gooby pls

[mewhy32]

Well college students are supposed to be intelligent, but more than that they're usually strapped for cash LOL. At least I was!!! 100.00 dollars is a great deal of money for a college student, trust me. If a student can't get their parents' to buy a console for them and they only have enough to buy one, on their own, I'm going to say that they're buying the PS4 based on cost alone.

[JunioRS101]

$400 + $50...

$500 + $60...

Yeah...

[WolfOfDarknesss]

Xbox one Alone = $500 +headphones =$ 60 + One game = $60 + XBOX LIVE membership = $65

TOTAL $685

That's really expensive .

[JunioRS101]

ooo somebody isn't getting a ps4 and is jealous of our systemmmm lol

[mxrider2199]

@gildarts i love how you did tax on the ps4 and not for the xbox as well as your math didnt even add up correctly without the tax and you can use tablets and smartphones for those extra add ons for the ps4 games you dont need a vita the vita is to play it as if your playing on the console not the side add ons for instance like in the division you can control a little flying robot for tactical support with the vita you oplay the actual characters pls atleast learn 3rd grade math b4 you post again

[Anon1974]

And let's not forget that MS is expecting you to shell out either for batteries or "charge and play" kits again. So figure $500 + $25 headset, $60 for extra controller, $50 for 2 charge and play kits and then $60 for XBL, and that doesn't even factor in games or tax.

You're looking at almost $200 difference between this and a basic, PS4 setup with two controllers, and the PS4 will have software added on through PSN+ initially. Just in terms of a value proposition, the PS4 clearly has the advantage.

[creatchee]

I've never agreed with "cheaper is better" argument. A lot of college students have iPhones, which are $100 (or more) expensive than some more powerful and/or capable Android models.

People (college students included) will buy things that they feel suit their wants and needs. Some will look at the price, but others will overlook the price. It all depends on the user.

[cellur111]

People who can afford those things will overlook the price, if you don't have a lot of money or are a poor college student i can almost guarantee you will look at the price.

[yeahokchief]

Plus many of the features for Xb1 like for cable television totally don't apply to college students.

College students aren't going to be paying for cable... Not in the dorms anyways. I had cable when I lived off campus in a big house with some friends, but even then i never watched any of it because i was always too busy with either work or games.

TDLR: In college you pretty much need your gaming device to just play games because you're not going to have a lot of free time unless you major in something retarded.

[Speed-Racer]

I need to win the lottery to buy both!

[yeahokchief]

Lol you don't need to win the lottery to buy both.

I could buy both and im lower/middle class. there really is no middle class imo. its upper and lower. and even for lower class, consoles are dirty cheap because the goal is to make money off the software for them to the masses.

i got my ps4 launch edition for $311 with release day shipping thanks to cheapassgamer.com and my own craftiness.

i'm hesistant to jump into pc gaming though. i could totally do that too and build a nice triple monitor rig. but its conflicting because ive got wayy too many WiiU, Ps3, Vita, PSN and soon PS4 games to play not to mention GTA V.

if anything GTA V with triple monitor support will be what pushes me to build a monster rig.

it's not just the cost of the graphic card. its also the cost of the 3 monitors since nvidia cards need all the monitors need to be the same. and really if you're not going to do triple monitor resolutions then you might as well play on a console given how cheap they are and how games specs are built around them.

[TomShoe]

College students buy what their friends buy.

PS4s.

[jeffgoldwin]

Nah more like a ps3 or 360. Most are struggling with finances.

[HugoDrax]

Funny you say that, but Microsoft's marketing approach can be unique at times. Example when I began undergrad back in 2001, prior to the XBOX release date, my dorm was given an XBOX 3 weeks before launch. It sat in our lobby, with 2-3 games for us to enjoy until Microsoft returned 3 weeks later to retrieve the console. Although, at the time I had my Dreamcast and PS2 in my dorm room, it was enough to convince me to purchase an XBOX at launch. So did the rest of the gamers in my dorm as well.

Good times, we use to run HALO LAN parties thoughout the dormitory utilizing our local network from within our rooms. It was essentially a system link, except we didn't have to be in the same vicinity because we were all linked to the same router. This was before the existence of XBOX Live, so HALO LAN parties were a big thing at the time.

Anyhow, all I'm saying is if they want to control the college market, they will put forth that effort. I also recall another marketing approach done by Microsoft in conjunction with DELL 2 years ago. Buy a DELL computer for college and get a free XBOX360. A friend of mine actually took DELL up on the offer, and sure enough he received his free XBOX360. Funny because the desktop crapped out on him in two weeks, he returned it to DELL and he still got to keep the XBOX360 hahaha!

[LOGICWINS]

"Let’s face it, college students don’t exactly have the best financial situation especially with how expensive going to school is these days. Between paying tuition, paying for living expenses, and other expenses like a cell phone and internet, for most college students the console war actually means something more than just hey *insert console here* is better because most of us don’t have the luxury of being able to get both systems."

If thats the case, why would a college student even be thinking about buying ANY next-gen console at launch? If price is such an important factor to these people, then wouldn't they be waiting for the first or second price drop before getting a console?

Its like saying that Applebees is a better option for homeless people than Peter Luger since its cheaper, when the reality is that neither are realistic options.

[pacostacos]

yeah if money is that tight either they wont buy a next gen console or stick with the current gen/ buy cheaper current gen. People are gunna buy w.e they prefer if they cant afford a $500 console i doubt they can afford a $400 console. Plus once you factor in games, taxes, and other stuff they both get quite pricy.

[Shadowolf]

To someone with a healthy and steady income that $100 difference isn't quite as critical but to the college student saving $100 is heaven, are you kidding. You're right the college student would indeed factor in buying games and with the PS4 option he or she has quickly estimated that for the price of an Xbox One they can buy a PS4 bundled with Watch Dogs, COD Ghost or BF4 or Killzone Shadow Fall have PS+ for a year and download and play DriveClub for free on day one. Oh and cross game party chat is free for good measure. lol!

[raytraceme]

For a college student in a dorm room the xbone is not a good choice because of kinect which is basically useless in the environment.

[Software_Lover]

Yeah, because every game uses Kinect!!!!!! /s

There are many other features of kinect besides dancing games. Menu control and voice control.

I'm not saying they are good options, but they are there and it wouldn't be a total waste.

I do get your point though.

[duducus]

It would be difficult for transportation and set-up in a dorm though...

[Harkins1721]

Ur in College shudnt u focus on idk school?

[ThisIsSolidSnake]

Don't be naive.

[Harkins1721]

hahaha jeez sorry! Im in College and literally just an hr ago I bought the Sony Xperia Z. So cant wait to get a Ps4!

[S2Killinit]

LMAO at your response (:

[Death]

Don't be silly. Focus is usually on partying and getting...to know other people.

[Master-H]

Since you're already in college, I'd recommend an English grammar class.

[Hicken]

Can you understand what he wrote? I'm guessing you can.

That means his grammar is fine.

I could explain WHY it's fine, but I won't.

I WILL say, though, that you should have attacked his spelling, not his his grammar.

And, even then, it would have been a waste, as internet and text messages have led to the development of a particular type of shorthand... the type Harkins used in his comment.

Damn. I wasn't intending on going that far with it. Just don't be a jerk about things, especially when you're not actually as well-versed as you think you are on the subject at hand.

[Master-H]

Hicken i'm not gonna read that wall of text bro, life is short and ain't nobody got time for that lol

[NihonjinChick]

You do know that college students also get this thing call "free time", right? I know, it sounds crazy but it's true. Some times students finish classes, studying, or homework and have some spare time to relax. And what's a better way to relax than playing some games?

[LOGICWINS]

Its not a matter of time, its a matter of funds. If college students are supposedly broke, buying a $399 gaming console should be low on the list of priorities.

[ThisIsSolidSnake]

Hmm. Lets see. $100 less.Tight budget.Slim and can stand up vertical.Not alot of space for a big bulky rectangle shaped box in my dorm or what have you.PS4 it is.

[Death]

Realistically in a dorm nobody buys what can't be bolted down or carried with you at all times. An easier to steal PS4 shouldn't be on anyones college list. If I were to get a system, it would be the one that the ladies enjoy more. If you are locking yourself in your dorm to play on your game console, you really are missing out on the college experience.

[HammadTheBeast]

Tell a girl you have a PS4 in your room, watch the pants fly off.

[ThisIsSolidSnake]

actually im 30 and dont go to college. i dont get where you say lock yourself in dorm room and miss out on ladies and all that either. i said dorm room or what have you. And yea, if you're getting a console based on which one ladies like, then you dont know how to get ladies.

[SynestheticRoar]

If your in a dorm sharing your space. Wouldn't you want the smaller size, better low price system.

[Treian]

I am in college. I am subbed to Gamefly to save money. I am getting the ps4 because it is cheaper, doesn't come with a camera, and I trust Sony won't pull any drm junk like MS tried to. Also, as a JRPG fan, the ps4 will be way more exciting.

[Death]

I'm guessing you wouldn't be interested in an always online game console used to stream games on the fly then. With this setup you would be required to stay connected or lose access to the games. Anyone in the military would be unable to use the service and spotty internet wouldn't work. The good news is DRM wouldn't be needed since digital rights would be managed as part of the online connection.

[Treian]

I am not interested with an always online console. As good as internet service providers are, the internet can go black for some periods of time. MS may reverse the drm policies with another patch later on, who knows. Also, my hands are small so the xbox one controller does not fit my hands at all. PS4 seems way more inviting.

[Death]

I was actually describing PS4 and GaiKai. By streaming content you need to always be connected since DRM is done on the server side. Content isn't stored locally so piracy/duplication isn't a concern.

Definately skip the XboxOne because of the small hands though.

[Treian]

well you don't have to use GaKai. I still got my ps3 under my tv.

[HappyWithOneBubble]

I remember using my high school graduation money for a PS2. Good times. Hit the books 1st then reward yourself with a PS4. Education come 1st.

[SprigganN4G]

PS4 day one, Xbox One when they launch the 349/399 version without the camera. Dont wanna lose Dead Rising 3, Ryse and Killer Instinct.

[Kydawg]

Give it sometime and I can see all those games come to PS4 eventually.

[Gildarts]

Yeah killer instinct on PS4.

[ZHZ90]

I doubt those 3 you mentioned will be on PS4 at all since MS is publishing them but there's more hope for DR4 to be multiplat since DR2 & DR2 Off Record were.

KI specially is impossible to be multiplat because MS owns its IP.

No worries PS4 will as well get fighters.

[tubers]

Meh.

I know college people who could care less about the PS4 but get boners with HALO and COD.

They're used to getting boned with XBL too.

[AznGaara]

If your laptop is good enough then I'd say stick with that. That way you can write papers and play games lol. If you want a console then it's obviously what your friends will have. Money ultimately won't matter in my opinion. Especially if your friends are all buying console A over console B.

However I do agree that a Ps4 with plus is an amazing deal. Sure you might not get the "newest" games but the relatively new games (looks at Sleeping Dogs and XCOM:EU) and the deals they give out are pretty great.

[S2Killinit]

well, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say most college students are buying consoles for the games, and Playstation has that in the bag. People in college want more mature games, and I don't mean mature rating, because that would include a lot of games. I mean mature in the sense that The Last of Us was mature. Mature not like call of duty.(that is not to say college students don't like Call of Duty) I know I did when I was in college but I also needed games with merit.

[Death]

Lego: Marvel Super Heroes
Just Dance 2014
Knack
Skylanders: Swap Force

These are the picks outside of COD, Battlefield and Assasins Creed BF which are also multiconsole. Killzone and Driveclub are the exclusives so far other than those listed above. If you are looking for more "mature" gaming, you may want to wait a bit before buying anything.

[mii-gamer]

as someone who intends university the ps4 is the best choice. Even with my bias (as a nintendo fan) I would still go for the ps4 it has more value. But i can see the appeal of the xbox one but i don't have the money to share between three consoles. So PS4 and Wii U is the combination.

[CrimsonStar]

I've just wrapped u my last year at community college , and will be moving to my university next semester . Can't wait to get my hands on my xbox1 . Ryse , Dr3 , Forza , KI , BF3 , Watchdogs . It will be one hell of a Christmas break!!

[Shadowolf]

Nice!

[strigoi814]

depends on what kind of student you are literally, if you want more games than school you know what you gonna end up..

[dcj0524]

Buy a ps2 and a crapton of games. Boom affordable. Better yet just upgrade your laptop so you canbplay LoL and write your paper on the meaning of science. At the same time.

[CEOSteveBallmer]

When you say college student, Your supposed to be not only smart but "wise" in making decisions. would you want a $400 console with guaranteed excellent exclusives throughout the consoles lifecycle with a strong hardware and a service which gives you instant game collection? or a media console device with great motion controls, $500 pricetag excluding the xbox live fee with only 2 "Old" games for free, also excellent lineup of exclusives (for 1st half of consoles lifecycle), timed exclusives, need to connect to internet just once for patch and a mandatory kinect camera... Hmmm what would it be??

[milestgs]

This may sound awful but I am I the only one who thinks this $100 difference is being blown out of proportion?

I mean most people spend more than that on a tank of petrol.

I think it really is only college students who this price difference will make a difference to.

[Shoul]

As a uni student, I'll be grabbing the PS4 for its better subscription, cheaper console and accessories.