63
Microsoft Xbox 360
$299.00
Released June, 2010
The Pros:Much quieter next to the previous design and all of its minor revisions. Built-in WiFi (802.11N). 17% smaller than the previous generation unit.
The Cons:Proprietary drive enclosure means upgrades or replacements have to be purchased through Microsoft. Still no Blu-ray capabilities. One time use data transfer cable must be purchased separately - costs $15.
This Microsoft Xbox 360 (often referred to as the 'slim' version), launched on June of 2010 in North America, is an upgraded version of the original 360 with a smaller form factor. It sports an upgraded 45nm chipset, integrated 2.4GHz 802.11n WiFi, five USB ports, and 250GB of removable storage by way of proprietary hard drive (not compatible with original 360 drives).
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Additionally, this 360 features a custom Kinect port on the back and an internal power supply.
The 'slim' 360's more efficient 45nm chipset allows for cooler operating temperatures and a much quieter operating volume than the classic 360 by way of one large fan rather than two. Its integrated 2.4GHz 802.11n WiFi card ensures that no external WiFi adapter will be needed while its custom Kinect port allows for an easy installation of the Kinect motion-sensing peripheral. Also, the 'slim' 360's slimmer form factor allows for easier storage, especially due to its internal power supply.
Features
- Slimmer form factor
- 45nm chipset allows for cooler operation
- Integrated 2.4GHz 802.11n WiFi
- 5 USB ports
- 250GB hard drive
- Rear port for direct Kinect connectivity
- Internal power supply
User Reviews (20)
Pros & Cons
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9
much quieter next to the previous design and all of its minor revisions
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7
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6
17% smaller than the previous generation unit
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6
5 USB ports - up from 3 on the original
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6
new Valhalla chipset based on the latest 45nm process - uses less power, and is thus cooler and quieter (easier to cool)
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5
power brick size has been halfed
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5
spacious 250GB hard drive
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5
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3
You can use up to two USB thumb drives instead of a proprietary hard drive (16 GB max each though)
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2
somewhat quieter than original Xbox 360
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2
Easy to transfer content from one Xbox to another (including DRM stuff)
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6
proprietary drive enclosure means upgrades or replacements have to be purchased through Microsoft
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3
still no Blu-ray capabilities
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3
one time use data transfer cable must be purchased separately - costs $15
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2
glossy enclosure - magnet for fingerprints
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2
Still uses an expensive, bulky and hot external power brick.
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1
incompatible with previous generation custom faceplates
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0
Capacitive Touch eject button is nearly invisible, yet far too easy to press. Dont every try to dust the unit when it's on or you'll eject whatever is in the drive.
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-1
Simply removed the red ring instead of fixing the actual problem that caused the RRoD.
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-1
250 GB is tiny compared to the 1 TB laptop hard drives you can get for less than Microsoft's upgrade.
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-5
ditches the matte enclosure for a cheap, ugly, glossy fingerprint magnet
Community Reviews
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Comments (9)
Omar: Nice! The update to the Netflix app on the
#microsoft_xbox_360 just got released that allows for
#microsoft_kinect motion navigation! Unfortunately early reports say that the navigation is pretty limited to a "smart recommendation/instant queue hub" Meaning you can't navigate around the entire Netflix interface and search and all of that using Kinect. You can also control movie playback with Kinect which includes voice control.
Apr 14, 11
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Erik:
#microsoft_xbox_360 Just picked up a new slim Xbox 360 to replace my previous generation version (that
@Omar and I won back in 2005 in a Doritos contest). The reason for the upgrade was to reduce the jet engine noise that was my console; instead it's now only slightly louder than my Acer Revo nettop.
The built-in Wifi, HDMI, and extra USB ports are also nice, especially when you couple it with an inexpensive 16 GB thumb drive (or two).
It seems that the designers got this right when it comes to ventilation. It is almost completely open to the air on top and the sides for the air to flow freely.
Mar 5, 11
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2 people like this
Omar: November 2010 NPD results are in (
http://bit.ly/hxmV8F). Looks like
#microsoft_xbox_360 is the big winner. Most likely boosted by
#microsoft_kinect and
#call_of_duty_black_ops it sold 1.37 million units which is the biggest November its ever had. Considering we're in the 5th year of the 360's life, that's pretty darn impressive.
#nintendo_wii did really well too, coming in at 1.27 million units. This bucks the trend that the Wii has been suffering from up until now where it was seeing massive year over year declines. If the Wii sees another big bump in december like in 2009, then it'll actually do really well for the year.
#sony_playstation_3_slim selling 530,000 is pretty sad. Particularly when
#gran_turismo_5 comes out in the same month. Not sure what Sony can do at this point... focusing on Europe is probably the best strategy since the US is pretty much hopeless at this point.
And holy crap wow at Call of Duty!! In one month it has become the 7th best selling game of all time. That's crazy. I wonder if next year's installment will sell even more - it seems crazy that it can. But at the same time it seemed crazy that Black Ops would sell more than Modern Warfare 2, so who knows!
Dec 10, 10
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2 people like this
Omar: Here's a question for the peoples. I recently upgraded my
#microsoft_xbox_360 to the new "S" model. I got the 250GB sku so I needed to transfer the information on my old 360's hard drive to the new one. The answer to this is Microsoft's Xbox 360 Hard Drive transfer kit. Which costs $30. Which I bought and successfully used.
Now here's the question. This thing is 1 time use. I no longer need it. I made sure to be careful with the packaging and such, so what's wrong with me just returning it to the store?
Dec 1, 10
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Omar: Deal alert! until November 25th, Futureshop has the
#microsoft_xbox_360 holiday bundle on sale for $250 and it even comes with 2 extra games! This is actually a really really good deal. This special is not only $50 cheaper than the standard 250GB bundle, but also comes with 4 games!
Though most stores are now carrying the "holiday bundle" which includes 2 games - but this is still a great deal over the regular holiday bundle. If you were in the market for the 250GB
#microsoft_kinect bundle it makes a lot more to buy this bundle and then pickup the standalone Kinect unit for $150. Reason being is that the overall price is the same $400 - except with this setup you get 4 extra games, and you get the external power supply with Kinect which costs $30 on its own.
The Kinect power supply is good for taking the Kinect sensor to friends and family's houses that don't have the Xbox 360 slim.
Nov 23, 10
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3 people like this
Omar: I'm calling it now. The
#microsoft_xbox_360 is going to be the best selling console in North America for the next two years. Reading all of the impressions of
#microsoft_kinect is showing the same thing that happened with the Wii. Enthusiast press didn't "get" it but when regular people got it into their homes they had a blast. That's exactly what's happening with kinect.
So you then combine that post-Wii hype with all the solid fundamentals the 360 already has and you have an incredibly powerful combination. Other than Nintendo games I don't see any reason to buy a Wii anymore. And unless you need blu-Ray or Sony games then I don't see a reason to get a PS3.
Considering the 360 was already the number one console for the past four months Kinect is going to make sure they have an incredible holiday.
What's particularly exciting to me about all of this is that:
1) kinect games are going to get a lot better. Developers didn't have solid technology until the past couple of months so their games were made in a stupidly hard situation and under strict time constraints. With more mature tech and time to make games properly the 2nd and 3rd wave kinect games have the potential to be great
2) combine this with the fact that xbox 369 has a ridiculously hardcore audience that loves to buy games. What this means is that unlike the Wii publishers actually have a chance to sell their game so they may be more willing to develop "core" kinect games
3) Microsofts strong online capabilities. Wii is absolutely horrible in this regard and kinect is already completely outclassing the competition when it comes to online. Kinect.me is genius and stuff like that is only going to get better.
So remember that infamous article of mine where I said the Wii won't sell? Well people can now take this new prediction to the bank. Kinect is going to do gangbusters.
Nov 5, 10
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3 people like this
Omar: There's a new
#microsoft_xbox_360 dashboard update coming tomorrow (Nov 1st) and it's going to a bunch of nice little new tweaks and such, alongside
#microsoft_kinect support. I've been part of the beta for a few weeks now and overall I have to say it's a really nice update. Outside of Kinect the biggest upgrades in my opinion are:
- Netflix integration. sure the selection is pretty poor, but it's still pretty damn sweet for only $8/month
- Sign out other controllers. it's a small thing but it happens to me SO often that it's quite annoying
- MSN videos. This is actually pretty cool, you can watch clips from CBC, MTV, and some other "meme" type videos right from the dashboard. It's obviously not YouTube, but hopefully it's a start of cooler/better things to come.
Oct 31, 10
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