I have no idea about prices in the US, but when i got my Xbox it was in a bundle with 2 games and it was exactly the same price as an equivalent PS2 bundle, only it had faster hardware, better games (Don't think anyone will agree with me on that one) and a harddrive...
What a strange measure of a console's quality, power efficiency? You do realize that a PS2 leaks 17,5 kWh per year when it is in standby? The Xbox leaks 3,50kWh, also please take into consideration that the Xbox has a built in harddrive, while the PS2 doesn't, so it isn't really a fair comparison..Well, as I stated, it's a computer in a box.
I don't like it. Efficiency and power comes before "it's working."
Computers draws lots of power and are inefficient. That's why I dislike the whole computer in a box ordeal.
Also, when both consoles are turned on and gaming, a PS3 uses about 13W more than an Xbox 360, so i still don't get your point?