Timber Loftis did a thread about this not long ago so you should do a search. I tried but couldn't find it
. As for which console you should buy it's hard to say. What type of games do you like?
One thing I would say is don't get a PS2. I've lost all faith in Sony after the PS1. Mine broke FOUR times the first time it cost me nothing because it was in waranty but after that to fix it it cost about £60. Sony machines seem not to be able to withstand someone who plays it alot and I've heard similar stories about PS2's breaking as well. Also spec wise the PS2 isn't very impressive the Gamecube and especially the Xbox are more powerful. What type of games do you like?