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Firestorm · Mar 28, 2007

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6168182.html

Following months of speculation, Microsoft has officially unveiled a new version of the Xbox 360. Called the Xbox 360 Elite (pictured), the console will go on sale in North America April 29, with European and Japanese launches later in the year. In the US, the console will retail for $479.

As previously hinted at on many forums and blogs, the new console will feature a variety of different features than the traditional Xbox 360. It will indeed feature a 120GB hard drive to better accommodate game downloads from Xbox Live Arcade and video content from Xbox Live Marketplace. The news coincides with the announcement of a new batch of television and movie partners who will offer content on the service.

The Xbox 360 Elite has a "premium black finish" which matches the wireless controller it comes with. (Controllers and rechargeable battery kits with the same hue will be sold separately.) The console will also sport a matching black wired headset and, as widely rumored, an HDMI output port. The console will come bundled with an HDMI cable as well as a component video cable.

One thing the console will not come with is a data transfer cable, as had been rumored. However, a standalone, $179 120GB drive for the console will be released alongside the Xbox 360 Elite bundled with a data-transfer cable. The cable will allow for the transfer of all Marketplace downloads and game saves from an existing 360 hard drive to the new hard drive.

According to Albert Penello, Microsoft's director of global platform marketing, the old hard drive will be blanked following the data transfer and can then be attached to any other 360. "The standalone drive is the main solution we're suggesting to existing Xbox 360 owners," he told GameSpot.

So what about HDMI-craving HDTV owners who want to get an Xbox 360 Elite and transfer their current XBLM content to it? In one word: wait. Penello said that Microsoft is "working on a solution" for transferring data from current 360s to Elites, but would not elaborate.

Hardware-wise, Penello said the Xbox 360 Elite has the same disc drive and processors as "current models." He also confirmed it would not have an internal HD-DVD drive, as some had suspected. "We don't want to segment the user base," he told GameSpot. He also confirmed that the external Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive would not be available in the Elite's black finish for the foreseeable future.

Another thing the new console won't have is Internet Protocol TV functionality, which Microsoft announced it was bringing to the 360 platform at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. "[IPTV] Trials will start this summer," said Penello, who didn't have a start date for the service.

As for the fate of the current hard drive-less $299 Core Xbox 360 and 360-equipped Pro Xbox 360 models, Pennello said they would continue to be offered. He also confirmed the new model will be a permanent addition to the 360 product line, and not a limited edition.

The fact the Elite is only $20 less than the 20GB PlayStation 3 and does not have next-generation video format playback did not go unnoticed by Sony. We think every PlayStation 3 owner should have an 'elite' experience, which is why we include an internal hard drive and HDMI output in every PS3 we sell, along with the 50 GB of storage capacity on a high definition Blu-ray disc," said Peter Dille, Sony Computer Entertainment's senior vice president of marketing. Sony also issued a series of talking points asserting that the release of the 360 Elite " further validates the PS3 business model, which [Microsoft] criticized at launch."

For more details on the Xbox 360 Elite, check out GameSpot Hardware's complete examination of the console.

http://www.gamespot.com/features/6168148/index.html

Edit: Official Page: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/xbox360elite/default.htm

mj1108 · Mar 28, 2007

Oooohhhh.... purty.

TCBlau · Mar 28, 2007

Wow, so the speculation was pretty much spot on.

Hero · Mar 28, 2007

479? WTF?

It's not limited either? So no dropping of the current tard bundle. Dumb move.

DSN2K · Mar 28, 2007

seems the Hard drive colour matches as well good I was worried.

squicken · Mar 28, 2007

Major Nelson has a 30 minute interview/podcast with that Albert guy on www.majornelson.com

Odysseus · Mar 28, 2007

in the face of pitiful ps3 sales and 360 sales that can be described only as lackluster, microsoft actually raises the price of their system.

...

...

...

microsoft, your marketing department is going to have to work doubleshifts if you don't want the current premium to be marginalized in the same way the core presently is. bad move. bad, bad move.

Wario64 · Mar 28, 2007

Permanent SKU. Not 65mm.

The Elite · Mar 28, 2007

I'll just get one a black faceplate and one of those black controllers. It sits in my TV stand so I barely see the rest of it.

Jonnyram · Mar 28, 2007

If the DVD drive is quieter, I'll probably get one. Otherwise I'll just get the new HDD - I don't have an immediate need for HDMI or the colour black.

Muppet345 · Mar 28, 2007

Can I pre-order it or no?

Mashing · Mar 28, 2007

Why do these console manufacturers believe it's in their best interest to INCREASE console prices. Are they ****ing retarted? Don't they see what's happening to the PS3 in the United States?

And why is a 120GB hard 180 bucks? For ****s sake I could get a 500GB hard for the same price.

schuelma · Mar 28, 2007

Uhh yeah...so I'm kind of new to this thing...but isn't this the opposite of what Microsoft should be doing?

Kolgar · Mar 28, 2007

Wow, dumb on so many levels.

No transfer wire bundled with Elites. Higher pricepoint, eroding 360's perceived advantage over PS3. Same chips. Not limited edition. No IPTV.

What the hell is going on in Redmond?

squicken · Mar 28, 2007

Kevar said:
Can I pre-order it or no?

Gamestop is still waiting for word from MS.

mj1108 · Mar 28, 2007

Kevar said:
Can I pre-order it or no?

Don't think you'll need to since it'll be a permanent SKU.

madmook · Mar 28, 2007

Bleh no guarantee of a quieter disc drive = no sale.

Jonnyram · Mar 28, 2007

Mashing said:
Why do these console manufacturers believe it's in their best interest to INCREASE console prices. Are they ****ing retarted? Don't they see what's happening to the PS3 in the United States?

Oh wait, they got rid of the Core and Premium SKUs? That IS retarted!

The Elite · Mar 28, 2007

I'm kinda looking forward to eharing what Shane has to say about this Sku. I'm pretty sure the rest of the group aren't going to be raving about it either.

Confidence Man · Mar 28, 2007

How completely shitty. Unbelievable.

legend166 · Mar 28, 2007

So there are now 3 SKUs? What the hell are Microsoft thinking?

reilo · Mar 28, 2007

What is this shit?

Talk about a shocking turn of events

DSN2K · Mar 28, 2007

seperate "$179" hard drive LOL MS.

Illuminati · Mar 28, 2007

schuelma said:
Uhh yeah...so I'm kind of new to this thing...but isn't this the opposite of what Microsoft should be doing?

They are targeting the hardcore gamers\technology elitists who probably own a Xbox360 already...makes perfect sense.

fernoca · Mar 28, 2007

Hmm...
No data transfer cables in the box, sucks for those wanting a black 360, and already have a white one...

But the standalone 120GB HDD does include one...

Matix · Mar 28, 2007

As for the fate of the current hard drive-less $299 Core Xbox 360 and 360-equipped Pro Xbox 360 models, Pennello said they would continue to be offered. He also confirmed the new model will be a permanent addition to the 360 product line, and not a limited edition.

Well thats a relief, plenty of hot black sex for everyone. Now once MSoft includes the new chip in these units, I'll probably upgrade.

Sho Nuff · Mar 28, 2007

TOO EXPENSIVE.

God what a boneheaded move. And yet I'm sure execs SOMEWHERE are high-fiving each other.

edit: And no built-in wifi? PS3 comparisons are gonna become a lot more relevant.

Stealth · Mar 28, 2007

*insert Luke Smith "WTF ARE YOU DOING MICROSOFT?" rant from the last 1UP Yours here*

It sure does look nice, though.

FrankT · Mar 28, 2007

mj1108 said:
Oooohhhh.... purty.

Ah I'm loving that Black. I'm trading up bitches, Chad Wardinn style.

BlueTsunami · Mar 28, 2007

OH MICROSOFT!

This is truly a hurrr moment

HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR
HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR
HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR
HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR
HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR
HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR
HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR
HURRR HURRR HURRR HURRR

Y2Kev · Mar 28, 2007

Kolgar said:
Wow, dumb on so many levels.

No transfer wire bundled with Elites. Higher pricepoint, eroding 360's perceived advantage over PS3. Same chips. Not limited edition. No IPTV.

What the hell is going on in Redmond?

Dancing on Sony's grave caused an Earthquake!

I could totally see this if it were a limited edition thing, but as a permanent sku it's at least a little puzzling. MS needs to be careful not to marginalize the premium in the same way the CORE has been, but there are obvious differences (mainly that the core is shit).

ManaByte · Mar 28, 2007

The console will come bundled with an HDMI cable as well as a component video cable.

C'mon Shane, spin it. Spin it good.

Wario64 · Mar 28, 2007

So basically HDMI and a bigger HDD are the only upgrades to this version...which seems pretty useless to me. Anyone actually care about HDMI? Who actually fills up the current HDD right now (that aren't downloading movies)?

schuelma · Mar 28, 2007

I Am Error said:
They are targeting the hardcore gamers\technology elitists who probably own a Xbox360 already...makes perfect sense.

Yeah I get that, but is it possible this may confuse the mass market? I mean 3 SKU's?

Zombie James · Mar 28, 2007

So what about HDMI-craving HDTV owners who want to get an Xbox 360 Elite and transfer their current XBLM content to it? In one word: wait. Penello said that Microsoft is "working on a solution" for transferring data from current 360s to Elites, but would not elaborate.

Oh come on now, doesn't the included cable do this? If you can't transfer all of your content over, what's the point of the cable?

Captain Glanton · Mar 28, 2007

DoctorWho said:
I'll just get one a black faceplate and one of those black controllers. It sits in my TV stand so I barely see the rest of it.

Good idea. I was going to say that the black finish was the only impressive part to me, anyway. $479 for something that won't play HD movies? Oops.

Edit: And I can't believe that I'm waiting to hear what Shane has to say, too. And that I'm sure I'll agree with him. If this really doesn't have the 65mm chipset in it, then it's officially the dumbest possible thing MS could do. But at least they'll go down in history as the first console to go up in price.

Muppet345 · Mar 28, 2007

mj1108 said:
Don't think you'll need to since it'll be a permanent SKU.

True. I'd still like to pay it off over the next month though .. and not have to have any trouble getting one.

Odysseus · Mar 28, 2007

Y2Kevbug11 said:
Dancing on Sony's grave caused an Earthquake!

only one shall remain.

sixteen-bit · Mar 28, 2007

Jtyettis said:
Ah I'm loving that Black. I'm trading up bitches, Chad Wardinn style.

THAT SHIT IS SLICK

BenjaminBirdie · Mar 28, 2007

Sho Nuff said:
TOO EXPENSIVE.

God what a boneheaded move. And yet I'm sure execs SOMEWHERE are high-fiving each other.

edit: And no built-in wifi? PS3 comparisons are gonna become a lot more relevant.

Why wouldn't they? The only down side is on paper. The only thing this thing could possibly do is make them more money. At worst, I highly doubt it's costing them that much more to produce.

mj1108 · Mar 28, 2007

They should have dropped the tard pack, drop the premium to $299 and make this one the $399 one.

Dega · Mar 28, 2007

I thought the new XBL Marketplace partners was more interesting.

Especially for anime fans.

Pimpbaa · Mar 28, 2007

Those green lights better not ever turn into 3 red lights.

Akira · Mar 28, 2007

Xboat....more like Xtitanic, LOL am i rite?

Illuminati · Mar 28, 2007

Wario64 said:
Anyone actually care about HDMI?

From someone who is running out of component inputs and component switchbox is almost filled, yes.

FrankT · Mar 28, 2007

Wario64 said:
So basically HDMI and a bigger HDD are the only upgrades to this version...which seems pretty useless to me. Anyone actually care about HDMI? Who actually fills up the current HDD right now (that aren't downloading movies)?

I do, although not to a really huge degree, but I want it for my HDTV. I have filled up once, only once on the HDD, but I would really like it to not have to delete crap all the time.

yoopoo · Mar 28, 2007

No wi-fi...therefore useless.

Dizzy · Mar 28, 2007

woah hold on a minute...

So what about HDMI-craving HDTV owners who want to get an Xbox 360 Elite and transfer their current XBLM content to it? In one word: wait. Penello said that Microsoft is "working on a solution" for transferring data from current 360s to Elites, but would not elaborate.

That doesn't sound the same as this...

Additionally, for consumers concerned with how they will get save files from their existing 360 hard drive onto the new 120 gig -- the 120 gig HDD accessory, which retails for $179.99, has a cable and software built-in that will connect the HDD to the console with an HDD attached to it and transfer the files from one HDD to the other. People won't have to use a memory card to transfer the files and then re-download all of their old Arcade titles.

Can anyone explain?

Hcoregamer00 · Mar 28, 2007

Kolgar said:
Wow, dumb on so many levels.

No transfer wire bundled with Elites. Higher pricepoint, eroding 360's perceived advantage over PS3. Same chips. Not limited edition. No IPTV.

What the hell is going on in Redmond?

Exactly, the XBOX 360 is getting it's butt kicked by the wii even if it has the superior game lineup. Then they do the "smart" thing and add a permanent sku that makes the $600 PS3 look justified in the value they pack in.

Not only are they making the Premium pack look less desirable, they also make the PS3 and Wii look at lot better. Good job guys.

VOOK · Mar 28, 2007

I think Im gonna pick up a Tard Pack second hand for el cheapo and just buy a 120GIG hdd seperate

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