Xbox 360 Elite: new, black limited edition Xbox with HDMI and 120GB drive

We've confirmed with trusted sources that the black Xbox 360 is indeed coming (the image above is of the original 360 dev kit, FYI), and will be dubbed the Xbox 360 Elite. Here's what you need to know about it:

• The Elite will be limited quantities only; that may be as much or as little as a couple hundred thousand.
• The case, controller, and Live headset will all be black. It will have all new packaging.
• Elite will cost $479, and will be a 3rd SKU; it will be sold alongside Premium and Core packs.
• Eventually Elite hardware (in white plastics) will take the role of the Xbox Premium. That is to say, after the Elite is launched and sold out, future Xbox Premiums will have 120GB / HDMI.
• We do not yet know exactly when 120GB / HDMI will become the standard for Premium, but it is loosely estimated to be late summer or fall.
• Elite models run cooler than normal 360s, but they are not yet confirmed to have 65nm chips.
• Prices may remain the same with the 120GB / HDMI hardware upgrade in the Premium Xbox, but we may still see a price cut on the line when 65nm chips start shipping.
• The HD DVD drive will not be internal or bundled -- Microsoft never did or nor does not currently have plans to put an HD DVD drive in the 360.
• There are no current plans to integrate WiFi into the Elite or future Premiums (although that can always change).

[GorgeousGeorge @ Mar 20th 2007 4:56PM]

On that note, I can't wait for the "Super Deluxe Limited Edition Tony Hawk XBox 360" to drop somewhere in the next few months -- featuring a laser-etched Tony Hawk signature, a free copy of whatever his latest shitty clone game may be, and an extra 10GB of storage space, all for just $700.

[lightnin_rob @ Apr 4th 2007 10:02PM]

ps3 is better hardware wise, but the games do not compare to xbox

[Allen @ Apr 11th 2007 11:57PM]

for the arguemnt between mac VS windows, why would anyone say that windows is better than pc?? Although i have 3 desktops and 3 Notebooks with windows xp,i know that mac is better. Windows is good for 2 things, application compatibility, and user friendly GUI.

The windows vista for now is a great dissapointment, it does slow down a computer even greater when upgrading from windows xp. You would need a powerful machine to run vista smoothly. But, In terms of games running off of Vista, i cant wait to see what DX10 offers in the future, as well as new GPU cards that come out. The great thing about PC is that you can upgrade to greater power than consoles. You can spend over $1000 on graphics alone. Console is convenient, compact, and with its competition, it will only get better.


And i dont think the console war is over, its only begining. I dont want to argue with what console has more power and what graphics looks best now. I just know that deep down, PS3 has greater potential that the dev has yet to unleash.

Just like multicore processors, multi-core processors are better used today and in the future than 2 years ago. Before, it was 1 software using 1 core, now we have more and more multi-threaded software using both core to its potential.

Becuase money is an issue no matter what, blu ray is a big thing. Not only does it do HD movies out the box, eventually, they can develop a ps3 game that will last 2 of the xbox games, or even more. Ps3 can have a 1 game that Cost $60, and have as much gameplay as Halo 1, 2 and 3 put together. If they choose to do this, it is up to them, but the fact is, they can.

I know people that have the 360 premium, and they all want the PS3, but just cant afford it yet. They all agree the Elite is nice, but not for the price, and not if they already have a 360. Although they love their 360 purchase, they just wish they would've waitd for the ps3. And i have 1 friend that wont pay $50 for online gaming and hates the fact that he cant play online. Everyone else i know do pay for xbox Live but would trade in free PSN for their Live Gold.

And as of a couple days ago, 4 usb for ps3 was not enough, i cant believe xbox only has 2, as the one in the rear is for wifi.

[Matt @ Mar 20th 2007 2:44PM]

No need for the PS3 now.

[Chris D @ Mar 20th 2007 3:36PM]

Hmm. So my refurb 360 froze twice yesterday for no reason..... Lame. Its a conspiracy...

Sweet, Ill consider this if I have the funds lying around and sell my current one assuming it still works.

[Kewlguy @ Mar 20th 2007 5:26PM]

Game Informer Magazine has already said that this is an April Fools joke. Sorry everyone. This may happen enentually but not any time soon

[walk2k @ Mar 20th 2007 8:05PM]

Unless you want Blu-ray instead of HD-DUD and Sony's free online service and the PS3 exclusive games and to run Linux on it for free and to have a console that doesn't sound like a jet airplane and.. and... and... and...

Care to revise or amplify your statement Mr. Gates?

[JC @ Mar 21st 2007 1:26PM]

@walk2k's reply:

True, I can't wait to get Assassin's Creed, exclusive on the PS3. Oh wait, it's not exclusive anymore. Oh, I can't wait to get Devil May Cry 4... wait that's not exclusive any more either. Developers want to make money to stay in business and developing for the 360 then porting to the PoS3 is easier and less time consuming. So 'exclusive' in terms of PoS3 games could very well become a term for 'games developed and published by Sony', whereas true exclusive games you'll find on the 360, which I own and don't see any other reason to own a PoS3.

[xXDeViouS @ Apr 4th 2007 9:22AM]

...april fools?

I've seen this all over the place (most saying it woudl be out in april) and not that I doubt it wouldnt eventually happen but I would have seen it at least 56493654368613763178657 times when signing into xbox live by now.

[carlos ramirez @ Mar 27th 2007 4:57AM]

yoo check this site out for more proof!!!

http://thexboxdomain.net/2007/03/26/xbox-elite-confirmation/

[name here_____ @ May 2nd 2007 1:46AM]

weird, i didn't know the elite does blu-ray, Matt??

yeah, really no need for a ps3. wait...hold on, your joking right, cause the lowest priced blu-ray stand alone is the same price or more than a 20gb ps3. hmmm, kind of a good deal to get a ps3 then in addition to the elite.

format wars do not exist. they will both be replaced in a few years by something completely better so don't even go there. buy both.

[KPheasey @ May 8th 2007 10:53PM]

Well HDMI seems like a waste since 1080p can be broadcast over component and almost all TVs except for DLP end up turning the signal back into analog right near the end.

I have a 360Premium and am going to get the new premium when they get rid of the elite. After all the black doesnt match my home theater set up.

[JoshLowry @ Mar 20th 2007 2:46PM]

Wow, that thing is sweet looking.

I was holding out on getting one because my brother in law had one I could use, but this thing is sexy! Very naice!




- Josh

Where's your head at? - http://www.StateOfBrain.com

[lqcorsa @ Apr 17th 2007 11:10AM]

Lol, it looks exactly like the Elite hardware in white, only it's black plastics, what makes this one 'sweet?'.

[kingofwale @ Mar 20th 2007 2:46PM]

let's summarize, hardware wise

advantage Xbox Elite:

bigger harddrive
20 dollars less


Advantage Sony PS2 20GB:

Blu-Ray Player



Let the console war continue!

[GorgeousGeorge @ Mar 20th 2007 2:48PM]

Anyone else think they missed out on a real demographic-nailing marketing opportunity by not calling this thing the "360 1337"?

[thomas @ Mar 20th 2007 4:21PM]

xbox live 50$
playstation network: free

let the console wars continue!

[Torgo @ Mar 20th 2007 4:44PM]

You forgot
*built-in wireless
*bluetooth connectivity for keyboards, mice, and headsets
*the ability to use ANY SATA 2.5-inch drive
*the use of any USB camera (not just one camera that's overpriced,)
*Free online
*Home
*Support for USB Keyboards and Mice

[Bill Clark @ Mar 20th 2007 2:49PM]

so it is true! black xbox's have bigger HHDs!

well i can not afford this one either!

[CharlieX @ Mar 20th 2007 2:51PM]

I don't know if it's a sign, but if MS is unwilling to put a HD-DVD in their box, do they know something we don't?

[Michael @ Mar 20th 2007 3:01PM]

They have no use for an HD-DVD drive. Its designed for movie watching and nothing more. Maybe when they run out of space or compression techniques we'll see them use a next gen optical format or even better digital distribution.

[Adrian Williams @ Mar 21st 2007 1:47AM]

I dont think MS want a 600$+ system out there

[Jake @ Mar 20th 2007 5:07PM]

My understanding is that current HD-DVD drives read more slowly than the standard DVD drives they use now, so you would in fact take a performance hit in terms of load times and such.

[destructified @ Mar 23rd 2007 1:45AM]

I don't think they know anything, I think that they're worried if HD-DVD were to "lose" the format war, The other companies invested in the technology could pull out without taking too much of a loss -- however, Microsoft including a "dead" technology in their hardware would mean that they have to ALSO take on the task of producing HD-DVDs, just to support their tech. Sony took a huge risk by including Blu-ray in their console, and if the market were to suddenly explode with support for HD-DVD, they could definitely take an incredible loss. Microsoft is just playing it safe. To accuse them of "knowing something" or not supporting their product is stupid, because that isn't the case at all.

I guess the terminology I'm going for is "Looking before you leap."

[QuiescentWonder @ Mar 25th 2007 1:25AM]

I guess they know something you don't know.

1. They don't want their console to cost as much as or more than a PS3.

2. They would be discriminating against all the people who already have Xbox 360's, they can't force an update on users, and then they would have to say "Oh! You bought it in the first year and a half? You can't play any new games unless you spend another $200 on this."

3. The technology was a bit more expensive and probably not as readily available on and before November 2005, it would have taken them even longer to get all of those consoles out the door and on the shelves, it probably would have delayed the launch.

[Craft @ Apr 13th 2007 7:34PM]

Um only reason MS wont put the HD DVD Drive into the xbox elite or future premiums is because HD DVD drive cant play the 360 games nor the regular xbox games. but if it was capable of playing 360 games then by all means there wouldn't be a elite system coming out to make the console wars even more hectic.

on that note, i will be trying to sell my premium system somewhere and buy the elite.

[Michael @ Mar 20th 2007 2:52PM]

Very intersting. Though the SKU strategy seems reather confusing...

Michael

[Michael @ Mar 20th 2007 2:54PM]

Always a good reason to hold out. If only the gaming division of Microsoft can rub off on the rest of the company. I plan to be an owner of this and a wii of course. As far as PS3 goes I just don't see the value. If I need a blu ray player I'll just buy a standalone.

[t00lboy669 @ Mar 23rd 2007 8:21PM]

i just wish that microsoft would modify current premium 360s with the new hdmi hardware....id gladly wait for my system

[QuiescentWonder @ Mar 25th 2007 1:25AM]

Well, everyone else sees the value. It costs like $200 less than any other Blu-Ray player currently on the market and plays movies just as well as or better than the other players... oh, and the features are updatable.

[James @ Mar 29th 2007 4:05PM]

If you were goin to buy a blue ray player u might as well as buy a PS3. The 60GB PS3 is $400 less then a normal blue ray player and they both offer the same feature when coming down the watching movies. And also you will be getting another consele and nothing is wrong with that.

P.S. i read ur comment on the Xbox 360 Elite and thought to spread my wisdom.lol.

[Kev50027 @ Mar 20th 2007 2:55PM]

The PS3 is still a better choice in my opinion. You get a Blu-Ray drive, a better controller, better games, and you don't have to wait for this thing to come out.

[tk. @ Mar 20th 2007 3:20PM]

Better controller? (ummm besides the motion sensing that sony stole from nintendo, how's this better?)

Don't have to wait for it to come out? (as opposed to the ps3 where you have to wait until you have enough money?)

Blu-ray (is that the standard now? last i heard, it was still up in the air.)

Better games - god of war is the only thing ps3 has going for it right now.

[Lokizilla @ Mar 20th 2007 3:29PM]

Europe's still waiting. (Admittedly, only until Friday.)

[Robert Aitchison @ Mar 20th 2007 6:35PM]

The Blu-Ray adds zero value for me or for most gamers, what it does add is a ton to the purchase price.

Better controllers is a matter of opinion.

Better games? The XBOX 360 has a ton more games including several 2nd generation games, it will take a year at least for the PS3 to catch up to where the 360 is now.

[Lyris @ Mar 20th 2007 6:10PM]

A better controller?

[armand_cyr @ Mar 20th 2007 11:02PM]

PS3 controller doesn't have any feedback and the 360 controller is better setup.

Just talk to most of the game developers about games that are being made for the PS3. They are just 360 games that are then ported to the PS3. This means that they are better on the 360 anyway.

[malafe82 @ Mar 20th 2007 9:29PM]

The PS3 is still a better choice in my opinion. You get a Blu-Ray drive, a better controller, better games, and you don't have to wait for this thing to come out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

blue-ray ain't nothing hd-dvd is my option to buy if i want not force to pay for it. better controller? wow this technology has been around since 97. what's so great about tilting where it's more precise using the joyticks. now, better games? what better games? microsoft has always had the better of the two systems. only advantage sony had was there exclusive which microsoft is taking away. Also just to finish you off, Take-two the company behind Grand Theft Auto is going to be bought out by Microsoft. Sweet dreamz little boy.

[Deadred @ Mar 24th 2007 10:19PM]

a better controller??? thats a matter of opinion! i still like dual shocks - but in todays day and age a controller that has no rumble feature seems completely retarded - ecspecially since the only reason sony gives for this is the issues it would create with their half-assed motion controller. Do any games even use that feature as anything other than a short-lived novelty??

[QuiescentWonder @ Mar 25th 2007 1:25AM]

You've done an excellent job stating your opinions as facts.

[cherenkovblue @ Apr 2nd 2007 1:58PM]

dude, the ps3 controler doesnt even rumble.

[Richie @ Mar 31st 2007 12:40PM]

PS3 better than XBOX360?
1-Blu ray...Everyone(including major motion picture production companies)knows HD is better period.Not going into specifics between them,your curious...you look it up.
2-Controller,Sonys' better but the 360 is much more improved and smaller than original unit of 2001.
3-I give PS3 an edge only because it has a faster processor(only by 50 mhz)other than that...overall the 360 has more and better games,3 core processor...better overall.I can still hook up camera,mp3 and a shit load of gagets,PS3 oviously can do more but do you really need all those etra ports to hook everything?LOL,Pretty soon you'll be hooking up your pecker too...lmao.You got blu ray...LOL,WOW...Like theres a whole lot of dvd blu ray pics and vids with that format.Plus your paying(paid more) for a format thats just not proven in the market and even Sony can't claim that!They are gambling big time.So far,not too many are buying it.
4-I'm getting me the new Black Xbox 360...god shes a beaut.
Ohh yeah Gears of war...over 3 mil sold...Graw well over 1 1/2 sold...graw2...lets see after its third month.God of war...great game...never will pass the 3 mil sold mark!
Hey don't get me wrong...PS3 Is the best unit sony has come up with so far.
But Microsoft is not too far behind from taking over the gameing industry that Japan has so long enjoyed.

[timhaas @ Apr 12th 2007 6:16PM]

Better games? Not at present my friend. What are you smoking? ;) Don't get me wrong, I still have high hopes for cellular processing and I'm not a big fan of Microsoft (and the way they cut corners, ever worshipping at the feet of the almighty bottom-line), but I'm not impressed with Sony's offerings so far. They need to lower the price before I'll consider it.

[taRik @ Apr 25th 2007 5:59PM]

dear kev... i was once dumb like u... until i heard from a friend that devil may cry 4 aka the best ps3 has to offer, is also coming out on xbox... that was all i needed... that and the ninja gaiden sequel and darkness... its over for ps3 and its precious bluray...

[Kev50027 @ Apr 25th 2007 6:50PM]

Dear taRik, I'm not an immature dork who's obsessed with anime, so I don't give a damn about you and your stupid japanese show for 3 year old games.

[Gr1m @ Apr 30th 2007 10:38PM]

not to mention the ps3 controller is crap...they havent changed it in years!!!!!!!!!! the 360's feels sooooo goooooooood, seriously though, fits like a glove! :)

[Kev50027 @ Apr 30th 2007 11:42PM]

I disagree, the PS3 controller allows more airflow, and it's smaller, lighter, and easier to handle for people with larger or smaller hands. The Xbox controller is made for Americans with massive, fat hands.

[Aeris @ Jun 4th 2007 3:59AM]

so true XD

[kingofwale @ Mar 20th 2007 2:57PM]

I have to admit first that I own a PS3.

but I do believe Microsoft has missed their demographic with this one. A lot of people are turned OFF by Sony because the price of PS3, what Microsoft need to do is to get their product closers to PS2's price, that's what will hurt Sony (due to PS3's cost, they can't lower their price anytime soon)

if Xbox can lower their two SKU by about 50-100 dollars, that will really KILL sony, but by increasing the SKU, they are playing into Sony's "higher, hardcore" gamer category.

[FreeRange @ Mar 20th 2007 8:16PM]

I think that's probably one of the most intelligent things said in a forum in some time. Let's not forget that when the holidays were over, the top selling console was the PS2 thanks largely (if not solely) for it's ~$119 price.