Xbox 360 \'Elite\' unveiled

After months of speculation Microsoft has confirmed the existance of Zephar (forgive spelling)

http://www.xbox.com/xbox360

High(Low)lights

- premium black finish
- 120GB detachable HDD (stand alone runs $180) 2mins on internent will find you the same size HDD for PS3 for $80
- wireless controller runs on 2AA batteries (30hrs)
- black headset
- HDMI and HDMI cable
- Xbox Liver Silver Membership + 1 month Xbox Gold Membership
- Sold Seperatly for 360: $20 play and charge kit and $12 battery pack
- rumor says $480

Quote "Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system..." despite lacking built-in HD-DVD

I\'m sure you know by now that I\'m not posting this because I\'m excited about this.  I really dont know who could be excited about this.  Maybe those who haven\'t bought a 360 yet?  I do feel for everyone who thought they already bought the \'PREMIUM\' Xbox 360.

Just another reason why $600 for the PS3 is not overpriced.

Xbox360 2.0 is here after 18 months.  How long before Xbox 3.0

I don\'t understand why this new model does not include the HD-DVD drive. At that price all it\'s offering is an HDMI and bigger HDD.

It\'s not that the PS3 is overpriced, the problem is it\'s cost which is a result of features that do not relate to gaming. These are gaming machines first and foremost, the 360 on the other hand gives you alot more freeway when it comes to price.

Xbox360 2.0 is here after 18 months. How long before Xbox 3.0

This elite model is not forced on anyone, you can still buy the core or premium. I just don\'t see any incentive for this elite model when it fails to include a HD-DVD drive. So it doesn\'t matter if a year from now they introduce another upgrade since it will never deviate from the original core machine in terms of gameplay functionality. I think it\'s a cool idea M$ is introducing higher end models for those looking to get extra features like HDMI and a bigger HDD, just count me out.

ripoff, they had a serious chance to turn the Blu-Ray tide by adding an internal HD DVD drive.  no 65nm chips either?

guess they see the future

They had a serious chance to turn the Blu-Ray tide by adding an internal HD DVD drive

I agree, but I guess m$ really isn\'t to concerned about the Format War anymore. If the backers of the HD-DVD camp were really serious about fighting blu-ray then they would have Sold the HD-DVD drives to M$ for a relatively cheap price so that they could be incorporated into the console without having to significantly increase the price.

As for 65nm why is that such a big deal, are you referring to heat/noise issues?

I read at another forum Microsoft didnt include a HD-DVD drive because they are waiting on the price of HD-DVD technology to drop.  I also read in April\'s gameinformer that a MS rep said HD-DVD is still an unproven technology so it will not be included.

Sadly,  all this points to the real possibility of a 3rd version of the 360.  They do see the future.  it is 3.0 (Just a joke I hope)

After reading this some more this is only bad news for the hardcore 360 fans.  Softcore won\'t miss 120GBs and HDMI.  But,  if you are hardcore and want 120GB you have to pay $180?  That makes me think why in the world do they charge $100 for 20GB but for less then 2x more money you can get 6x the space??  

if you have a HDMI capable TV the only way to get it for your 360 is a $480 upgrade.  I\'ve been running my PS3 via component and the picture is fine.  But if I was a 360 owner I would be upset.

I wonder if Gamestop will start trade ins.  Trade in premium 360 and get $125 off Elite.  Still doesnt sound like a good deal.

if you have a HDMI capable TV

ALL HDTV i have seen include component input so HDMI is not really needed.

I read at another forum Microsoft didnt include a HD-DVD drive because they are waiting on the price of HD-DVD technology to drop

Like I said earlier, that\'s the HD-DVD drive camps loss then, if they wanted to succeed bad enough they would have dropped the price for M$, it would have been a win win for parties.

MS won\'t include HD-DVD because

a) It\'s the losing format (you can quote me on that later )
b) It would lower the profit for MS (or make them lose more money, whichever it is)

However, I can\'t really see the need to get en Elite, unless you really REALLY want HDMI. But unless it becomes a requirement for HD-DVD playback, then I don\'t see why people should upgrade. The bigger HD would be nice though... But you could always buy that seperately (even though I think their prices are insane).

[Viper_Fujax]

yea, $175 for the 120GB HD is a little much for me. MAYBE if i were buying tv episodes (most of which i dont think are in HD yet), then yea. But as of right now, movies are just rentals so you dont need the room, and i have more than enough room to save the games that i need to save.

Elite is just worth it for HDMI, like u said..but even that isnt worth it. Component seriously isnt that bad. HDMI cables just look spiffier.

And its not too ballsy to predict blu-ray the winner . Most can see blu-ray has the lead, but the fact that its the same exact thing as HD-DVD makes the market a little more competitive and will take a little longer for it to die off. and i cant wait till one of them does so.

The 360 Elite ? A bit meh aside from the cool black color & HDMI + 120Gb.

It seems PAL PS3 might have 65nm Cell :

http://www.beyond3d.com/content/news/151

On the other hand, the southbridge has received a change as well – the serial numbers have changed from CXD2973GB to CXD2979GB. Judging from the size of its heat spreader, we can reliably assume that the southbridge has in fact been transitioned to a 65nm fabrication process. The size has decreased by about 69%. Unfortunately, it is still unknown if the southbridge is in fact the rumoured Toshiba Super Companion Chip.

[clips]

yea i gotta agree, you\'re better off gettin the 20g model of the ps3...i just read the article on yahoo and it seems that they are not supporting  the hd-dvd format,..even tho way early in it\'s life i remember them touting that tech as one it would support....heh...the lower end ps3 is still better than thee "elite" 360 :fro:

"Do not want" is right.

A. I only have one HDMI port on my TV and it\'s for my HD reception. Not intending to get a $100 hub at this junction.

B. I already have an X360 and so far see no reason to get an overpriced hard drive upgrade.

I saw on G4 they said there was only going to be a limited amount these unit produce by Microsoft. I\'ll stick with premium edition if I get one. Unless this puppy comes out as the same price.