Differences between Xbox and PS3? Or differences between Oblivion and Skyrim? There are a bunch of differences between both pretty much.

At what level should I be able to fight dragons solo? I'm playing a wizard and every time I've run into an unscripted dragon it just repeatedly one-shot kills me over and over. (I'm level ten.)

X-box and PS3

I've already made up my mind there's no point in getting Oblivion now.

I'm not really sure. I forget what level I was and killed my first random dragon, but I had a follower with me. I just run behind cover when he is shooting at me, then come out and shoot him with arrows, then duck again.

I have both PS3 and 360. Both have pros and cons. I first got a 360 because all my friends had it and I wanted to play call of duty online with them. I got a PS3 because my brother had it and I wanted to be able to game with him as well.

I like 360 for the online play. A lot more people play online on 360, it seems like more people have 360 to me, but could be just my group of people. I like the controller for 360 better. I like the user interface better as well, on the 360 main screen. It's user friendly, and you can scroll to various things quickly.

PS3 I think has a better operating system, I'm not sure about all the tech stuff like that. Has a blue ray player. Has a web browser. PSN is free, unless you upgrade to PS+.

I think both systems are great. Some people are die hard one way or the other. I have both, both has good things, both have some iffy things.

You can't go wrong either way. If you have friends who all have one system, prob should get that one if you want to play online.

Maybe I've just always incidentally fought them on bad terrain, then. I don't think ducking for cover has ever really been feasible.

I'm biased, but I'd suggest 360. Oblivion could still be good to get only if you are a big fan of the Elder Scrolls. Truthfully it's a little more clunky than Skyrim, but it gives you a deeper appreciation for the whole "Elder Scrolls Mythos."

Which level REALLY depends on how you're building your character and the terrain. Speaking as someone who's built a necromancer, mage (focusing on destruction spells), bow-focused rogue, heavy armor berserker w/ two handed warhammer, and a shield & sword warrior, it varies from one character to the next. At level 10 as a mage with destruction spells, you should be able to kill your first dragon in the right terrain. Wait for him to land then come out from hiding. Get a shot in and duck before he blasts you with his Thu'um.

What race are you and what schools are you focusing on? Obviously a mage focusing on Illusion, Alchemy, and Restoration isn't going to be ready to face a dragon like that going solo yet

I'm Imperial and I've been focusing almost exclusively on Destruction. Recently I've branched out into Restoration, Enchanting, and One-Handed a little, but most of my points are still in Destruction.

Thanks for the input guys. I will likely get the playstation because my friend has DCU, and we could play that together.

Sounds like you're an Imperial Battlemage. Scandalous! I've never done that type of build, but Restoration is a must for any magic type person. Once you can get to Fast Healing or even Close Wounds, you're set.

also if you want to take downa dragon you need to be dual casting your destruction spells and have plenty of magika potions.
I am more a battlemage myself. I use my dual cast destruction until he lands completely and then I whip out my sword with fire damage enchantments and use a combo of it and my spell of choice which is fireball.

Also keep in mind that the most effective spells against all dragons are fire based. Only because fire causes extra damage where as Lightning does Magika damage and Frost does Stamina damage. So Fire based attacks have the greatest level of effect against dragons due to the extra damage it provides.
Also if your a restoration guy an absorb health spell would come in pretty handy against a dragon.

the other thing id suggest alot is that you at least run with enchanted light armor and not just robes. Until your enchanting skill is really high you need the extra defense that light armor would provide.

If by "battlemage" you mean that I mix and match weapons and spells, I try not to. I've felt the need to whip out an axe and a paralysis poison on occasion when backed into a corner, but that's like plan D. I don't wear armor, so I try to avoid close combat if at all possible.

So far the Restoration is just to build up to that perk that increases Magica regeneration. We'll see where it goes from there when I get to higher level.

Does fire work as effectively against a dragon? I figured fire dragons would be resistant or immune. I'd been using ice because I assumed fire wouldn't help. My usual plan so far has been to double-hand Firebolt at long range and switch to Flames and Firebolt at close range, or double Flames in very tight spaces and against multiple enemies. That seems like it would be better for dragons than what I've been doing if it will work.

Is it possible to switch armor during a battle? I can change into light armor with fire resistance for dragons I guess, although the drop in magica regeneration and increase in Destruction cost seems like it would REALLY hurt my damage output.

It depends on the type of dragon. Against a "frost breathing" dragon, fire is great. Against a "fire breathing" dragon, fire is the worst spell you can use. I wouldn't say that fire is the best, they all have their uses against specific creatures. I know frost has saved my butt a few times when I was a mage because it slows down your opponents. Electric attacks also saved me by draining their magicka.

You can switch armors, spells, and weapons as frequently as you want, whenever you want. It's all a matter of finding the balance that suits the type of character you are.

Oh, okay. That's kind of what I thought. Fire spells do not do well against fire dragons, and that's all I've seen so far.

Okay. Some games institute a "no switching armor during combat" policy to avoid reactively changing suits of armor right before you're about to be hit by any attack (energy resist items for wizards, switch to full plate right before the fighter's attack hits you, switch to light armor to reposition then back to heavy, etc.).