PAX settled it for me: I must have Bioshock, Gears of War, and an Xbox 360 to play them on.
Also, Rock Band.
So this is my lazyweb of the year: What's the best way to build a 360 system? Is there even a way to build it? I'm thinking about picking up the Elite wherever I can find it cheapest, and I just don't want to make some stupid noob move when I do it. Are there peripherals I absolutely need or don't need?
I am now watching whatever gamer cred I earned at PAX evaporate.