ImageIn his news blog, Compete analyst Max Freiert calls it “Xbox 360’s launch 2.0.”

Amazon offered up a limited amount of the hard drive-less Core version of the console for a mere $100—66 percent off of the normal $300 price tag. Compete said that the Xbox 360's traffic pattern during the promotion exhibits continuing consumer interest in Microsoft’s year-old console, despite the launch of newer hardware. With all three systems available, consumers are carefully weighing their options.

Freiert also made an interesting note about PS3 interest as indicated on an online traffic basis. “During the week of the 25th, demand for both the Xbox 360 and Wii surpassed demand for the PS3,” he wrote (see chart below from Compete). He said that a week after launch, PS3 demand dropped 15 percent.

Brick-and-mortar retailers have theorized that consumers don’t inquire about the PS3 at all because they feel there’s absolutely no way that one will be available to buy.

Using charts (more seen at blog link at top), the analyst noted the similarities between trends in the PS3 and Wii launches vs. the “Xbox 360 2.0 launch.” Interestingly, Wii interest remained relatively steady a week after its launch.


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