The best advice I can offer is to check the selection of games for each system So what appeals to you.
The XBOX is slightly better I heard at graphics. But not that much. You may notice a bit. Especially on a really big screen.
One advantage of a PS2 is that you can chip it and that will give you access to an insane amount of games in japan. There are alot more games made in japan that never reach the US. And if you happen to like anime, there are alot of games based on anime you can get, Like Inuyasha. But then if you don't like anime that don't matter.
Personally I prefer giving my money to Sony. Microsoft will screw ya in the long run if they become dominant. Alot of the viruses we have on PCs are due to the holes left in Windows to spy on you and check against pirated software. At least thats what a tech guy once told me. Don't know for sure. But I don't like Microsoft.
I hope that helps.
