Xbox 360 Elite: new, black limited edition Xbox with HDMI and 120GB drive
By Ryan Block 
posted March 20th 2007 2:39PM
posted March 20th 2007 2:39PM
- 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).
I have a 720p HDTV with 1 HDMI input. I'm already forced to swap the HDMI cable between my ps3 and cable box every time I want to game with the ps3. I think I'll be holding off on any more devices that are HDMI until there is an affordable switch ($100 or lower) or until I can afford a 1080p set with 3 or more HDMI inputs.
Also, how am I supposed to get the content (saves, music, etc.) off my current 20GB drive onto the new 120GB?
I can't believe you would compare games that came out during the PS3's initial release with games like Gears of Wars that came out a year later. It is a very disingenuous statement to make since it takes companies 6 months to roughly a year to make things look better and run smoother.
speaking of lacking skills, I can't even understand one sentence in that last post. Get some English skills. I currently have 4 consoles, so I know consoles, and I know the longer they're out, the better the games are for them. Look at the PS2, the most popular console in recent history. It's still outselling the PS3, Wii, and 360. That's because some of the best games ever made are for the PS2.
Sony know's their gaming, and they will not let us down with the PS3, we can count on that.
The one thing I'm wondering is:
If the output is HDMI, do you have to have an HDMI receiver to get surround sound, or is there going to be an optical audio port or capability. HDMI is great, but I'll bet that most of the people who have HDMI TV's DON'T have HDMI receivers.
Just curious.
"If you're going to tout specs like this, note that the PS3 uses 802.11g and Bluetooth 2.0 when newer versions of both of these exist but are unavailable on the ps3."
You're in no position to say that when no other video game console uses anything newer than what the PlayStation 3 has. Does the Xbox 360 or Wii use 802.11n or Bluetooth 2.1? No. We are not comparing the PlayStation 3 to the greatest eletronic device in the world, we are comparing it to consumer devices. But even on a high-end level, the PlayStation 3 fares well. It was the first commercial implementation of the Cell Broadband Engine microprocessor and the HDMI 1.3 standard. It used the best stuff available at the time. Plus, it would be stupid for the PlayStation 3 to use 802.11n or Bluetooth 2.1 when it came out, because even now, these are in their draft stages, which could result in compatibility problems (however minor they may be) when wireless-n and Bluetooth 2.1 reach their final stages.
Very sexy indeed. I'm fantasizing on how its going to look with the ring of light lit on! Sensual in every curve!
I'm buying! Thanks Mr. Gates!!
>>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.
wtf, nice English...
lol
Yeah, I am SO surprised at those specs. Not. I have been writing all this info on game sites for more than a week now, just after I was told I could, because the official Elite announcement was coming a few days later.
check:
http://www.gamespot.com/pages/forums/show_msgs.php?topic_id=25452879&msg_id=285752728#15
for proof of my awesomeness. =)
I currently have all 3 systems, PS3, Wii, and 360. And as far as price is concerned, the 360 cost me the most money. I bought a Premium bundle ($399), Then I bought an extra controller ($49), Wireless Adapter ($99), 12 month Live membership ($49), and HD-DVD drive ($199). That's almost $800. Where the PS3 cost me $600 for the 60GB model and $50 for an extra controller, that's only $650 for a comparable system that includes everything my 360 has and it's all integrated.
Different strokes for different folks. For me, I dont need WiFi included because I have a wireless router thingy down to my basement, where I can connect it to the 360 with an Ethernet cable. I have no HDTV, so HDMI does not matter for me, nor does Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD. You know why? Im leaving for college in about a year an a few months, so I will be using my consoles (360 AND PS3, once i get it) to play games. I have no use for the Elite model, so the much lower price of the premium, combined with the MUCH better games that are coming out for the 360, makes it an easy decision of what to buy this summer. If MGS4 and GOW3 stay exclusive, however, I will buy a PS3, hopefully they will have dropped the price buy then.
Anyway, when it all comes down to it, it is a matter of what you want and what you need. For the consumers that dont need HDMI and the 120 Gig hardrive, then the much cheaper premium is an easy choice. But for the people who want HDMI and need all 120 gigs of that hardrive, well THEN, and ONLY THEN, does it actually start to matter between the 360, and the PS3, because that is when people will have to make the tough choice. So one last time-different strokes for different folks.
Also, according to some people, since I am an American I am overweight, and I have sausage fingers. Alas, this is not the case, as my fingers are not extremely skinny, but probably a little bit above that. And what do you know, I can use a 360 controller. Its not bulky. If you people cant handle the 360 controller, I laugh at you, because you obviously have little girl hands, combined with some kind of mental retardation that makes it hard to perform easy taks with you hands and fingers.
This Xbox looks fantastic, but the last two lines of info that Engadget reported are a real shame.
1.) MS NEEDS to offer an integrated HD-DVD drive as an option. I do NOT want an external HD-DVD drive. That's a stupid afterthought and a waste of space when they could have one integrated drive that does it all.
2.) They need to integrate WiFi b/g/n.
If MS integrates these two things in this black Xbox (or at least offers them both as integrated options so those who are willing to pay for them can have them), THEN, and only THEN, will it be perfect.
well i guess Microsoft wanted to be just like sony...hdmi. and i guess they just have to try and be better...120GB hdd...why would you need that much??
Superdynamite...didn't you already post both of those comments earlier? Please, if you're going to comment, don't waste our time with repeat posts. I already read both of them, and I have already not cared for them. I would rather not waste any more time with them.
Sorry to annoy you Ben. Don't take it personal. I too like so many others bought XBox 360 V1.0. I know it hurts knowing that Microsoft is know upgrading the first version (V1.0) of 360 already after only it's 5th full quarter of existence. The problem here is NOT repeat emails or redundant blog postings. The problem here is, the consumer is forced to buy another 360 (Elite) just to have the advantages of HDMI compatibility on their 360. $479.00!!! with Tax that's $500 bucks!!! And what Microsoft isn't telling us is that they are atleast one more version away from a full HD next-Gen box. Now Ben, I ask you... is that fair to the true game such as you and I? I will buy the Elite and when version 3.0 comes out I will buy that one as well. Wow! just thinking about it empties my bank account. Think about it Ben... who is the real enemy here? Who are you really annoyed at? I think all us gamers are really mad at the fact that The XBox Elite is merely an admission of the long-term failure of XBox 360 v1.0
why does everyone who mentions comparing games for 360 and ps3 only mention mgs4 and final fantasy... even after lost exclusives it has
gran turismo 5, coded arms assault, heavenly sword, jak & daxter the lost frontier, metal gear solid 4, ninja gaiden sigma, ratchet and clank, tekken 6, wipeout, monster kingdom, lair, final fantasy 13 and all extentions, motorstorm, resistance, killzone 2, singstar, warhawk, littlebigplanet, f1
there are also the games that used to be exclusives... such as GTA4, devilmaycry 4... but guess what. That doesn't mean they're not there...
You are assuming that the people here want a fair and balanced argument...
This looks pretty good. Though the price kinda sucks. Oh well even the CRAPPY CHEAPER version of th PS3 is just 20 bucks more. So for just 20 bucks less you get a better system with a good library of games that are already out. Oh wait the "20 bucks less" only applies to THE BETTER VERSION of the Xbox 360. Sorry PS3 you lose.
I own all three consoles and I can definitely say that 99% of the points been put up here are garbage. Some of you xbox freaks make me ashamed to own a 360. It is clear to anyone that owns all three consoles that most xbox fanboys have never owned or played a ps3 and are just repeating what they've heard or read somewhere. Trust me, when you get one, and play it you will go back and laugh at some of your post. The sony fans have the advantage of having played the 360, but can you stop being so defensive. The ps3 is not for everyone, just enjoy your dream machine... nough said... now back to Resistance Fall of Man... I have to make General tonight!
Well said. But you forget its easier to bash something you have never experienced than it is to come up with a logical argument
I am amazed at how some people get all worked up over arguing about video game systems. This argument is very simple.
PS3 is for the wealthy, it features wifi and hdmi, which means you need broadband, a router, and a HDTV none of which are common among the middle class (except maybe broadband) It is meant as a complete entertainment system, because most of the users are wealthy and enjoy other thinks besides gaming. I dont see a point in arguing for or against this fact, its merely personal choice. Finally the price obviously is high at 500 and 600, to some people this is a fortune, to most that are buying PS3's this really isnt much.
360 is for the true gamer, mostly the 8-24 year old class that may not have tons of expendable funds but want to be entertained. This is why the old school arcade games are popular on 360 they are cheap and have great replay value. The 360 also seems to be more of a multiplayer platform with Halo, as you always here about Halo lan games and such.
I really dont think you can argue either way yet. I am a PS3 owner and my roommate has a 360. We both agree that the PS3 is much better hardware wise, but the 360 is much better software wise. It doesnt matter who wins the war as long as both are successful as was the case with PS2 vs Xbox. If both do well, prices will drop faster, developers will put out more and better games, and everything will be 'peachy.'
Just for the record, this may sound fanboy, but it really isnt meant to be, but i really dont find XBL as a superior online system. Yes PSN is still behind because they dont have full length movies and they only have 1 full game, but the servers are very similar as far as lag goes and its not like its costing the user anything.
One final note on Blueray. All of these people are saying Blueray is a waste and sony is stupid and it has nothing to do with gaming. I disagree, because Blueray is mainly a format of increased storage, meaning that while a standard DVD max's out at about 9GB, most Bluerays are at 25gb up on to 200gb. Some 360 game is supposed to have 3 disks because of space issues. Now this doesnt seem like that big of a deal, but it could lead to more titles moving exclusively to PS3 or atleast releasing first. Also it allows developers to focus more on the games development instead of trying to compress everything. Also this also for ingame videos, cut scenes, cgi, etc. to be atleast less compress and better quality. This seems pretty relevent especially with this whole Metal Gear Solid thing that everyone talks about (im not a huge fan, nor do i intend on purchasing it.) Anyway MGS is reportedly going to take up atleast a single layer blueray disk (25gb) if not be made on double layer (50gb), meaning that to port it over to 360 requires 3 to 5 DVDs. Just a thought
The initial 500-600 is chump change when considering all the games you're going to be wasting money on, but most people don't think about that. The 8-24 crowd as you mention DOES have quite a bit of disposable income, and having lesser experience w/ money management means they're probably an easier sell than "adults." Hence the inept student will continue to dine out at fast-food joints that they perceive to be cheap, when in reality they're getting ripped off both in terms of price and quality. That's when it comes to multiple smaller-ticket items though; once you get to the big items, I think most people do stop and think for a second, to see if thye really need it or not.
This is dumb, I think M$ missunderstand the concept of console, it's a long term investment, not upgradeable like PC.
I think they want more profit to control the media.
M$ is still stink ... well the 360 controller is better than xbox, but it's not better than PS controller. I still remember I bought sidewinder which I only use once. I think M$ got problem designing controller.
Oh, nintendo also got a better controller.
"You're in no position to say that when no other video game console uses anything newer than what the PlayStation 3 has. "
We've seen 2 memes repeated about the ps3 and the 360- the ps3 is "futureproofed" because it has HDMI, and the 360 was "rushed" because it doesn't. Meanwhile, the cheaper ps3 cannot be upgraded to on board Wifi and the bluetooth and wifi in either ps3 model is _not_ upgradeable. Making the "futureproof" meme clearly false. You're stuck with older, slower, inferior technology with no way of upgrading it to newer, better tech.
"Does the Xbox 360 or Wii use 802.11n or Bluetooth 2.1? No."
Totally irrelevant. The ps3 is using older technologies, and more importantly cannot be upgraded to newer revisions. This is not a "futureproofed" device.
"Plus, it would be stupid for the PlayStation 3 to use 802.11n or Bluetooth 2.1 when it came out, because even now, these are in their draft stages, which could result in compatibility problems (however minor they may be) when wireless-n and Bluetooth 2.1 reach their final stages."
Indeed, but regardless, the ps3 can't be upgraded to 11n or Bt 2.1. If the ps3 had these things AND WAS UPGRADEABLE the ps3 fanboys would have a good point. But it isn't upgradeable.
Come on everybody. In a free market system eventually most people come out ahead. As companies compete for consumers and as technology increases each system gets a little better. If you want a PS3 go buy one, If you want an xbox 360 go buy one! Stop attacking eachother. Each system has positives and negatives. Enjoy whatever you have. Don't rail on the other just because it's not for you or you really want it but cant afford both-so you rip on it because you are too insecure and unsure with your own purchases. Go Sony, Go Microsoft, and Go Nintendo-I list those in no particular order as all have cool stuff. Thank God for them all. Lighten up people. No harshness intended-but enjoy them all and go play games. Peace.
Does anyone care about IPTV?
XBox Live and the XBox 360 with Gears Of War is the only game to play.
With the online community of Xbox Live, none of the others can touch the "fun".
Wii has some fun value with a group and the right game, but when I'm chilling at home alone, nothing beats a good game of GoW with some online frineds from around the world...
As MC Hammer once said...Sony..."U can't touch this"...
First and foremost, microsoft is making a good move by updating the console, but taking once again moving backwards after not integrating hd dvd. I think I can speak for most people when I say that no one wants to have an external hd dvd drive when it could've been integrated w/ the elite. For those of you who say hd dvd or blu ray or movies period for that matter aren't important are full of shit. So why would you spend $1,000+ on a high definition TV? So you can watch analog cable or VHS? I wanna capitalize on my tv investment the best I can to get my moneys worth.
Controller Issues - I have no problems with either controller and laugh at people who are Sony fanboys and say..."I can't play a sports game on the 360 because of the controller!" To me, the controllers for the MOST PART, are laid out similarly. But there are alot of folks who claim the x360 controller is too big, well... it's probably because of your feminine tendencies.
Back to the 360... I purchased a console at launch and was working fine until last week when I got the dreaded 3 red Lights. I still support the 360 but would like some loyalty back from microsoft in the process. They're shitting on their supporters by not giving us the total package!. Is it too much to ask for to integrate Wi-Fi and the Hd DVD drive? I think not. I believe consumers would pay $500 if it had the 120gb hdd, hd dvd drive, wi-fi and hdmi! Just give us what we want Microsoft!
I agree. I love my 360 and Wii. Iam saving to eventually get a PS3. After all to gripe and complain about which system is better is I think a matter of personal taste. Me, I love the 360-the ease of use, the online play, the arcade selection, the great games. But I also love the casual, family fun games of the wii, and I look forward to the PS3 in the future. Sometimes I crack up reading these guys rip on eachother's systems as if eith of them sucked, c'mon. They are all sweet-could they be better? Of course. A word to the wise-buy your consoles at COSTCO-even if you have to pay 50 bucks to join do it. They have an unlimited return policy. So I can take back my other 360 and return it for the new one when it comes out. Plus their bundles are always way better than anyone else. Plus you never have to buy a warranty!
Can anyone comment on what mike just said? Does Costco really have an unlimited return policy?
Z, I like the idea of an external HD-DVD. Look at it from Sony's perspective... if the Blu-Ray is shot then the consumer will have to pay to get it replaced ($$) or buy a whole new system. With an external, we have the advantage of buying it at an affordable price separately. Don't forget, a lot of people still dont have an HDTV nor do they care. Eventually it will happen where everything is HD, but the HD-DVD player and Blu-Ray player is too expensive to have built in and dependent by the system.
*If* this is true, it's bullcrap. What about those of us who have already purchased the premium xbox360, and the HD-DVD add on? Now we are stuck w/ no HDMI unless we throw down another 479.00 bucks for a new Xbox. I'm starting to regret all the money I've spent on my Xbox360 so far. They sale an HD DVD drive that isnt even *really* an HD DVD drive. It doesnt do 1080P (uless you throw down another 40bucks for a VGA cable, which may or may not work depending on what kind of HDTV you have), it doesnt do TRUE Dolby Digital sound (no HDMI, no TRUE DD), it doesnt up-convert Standard DVD's (again, no HDMI, no upconvert). Frustrating is all I can say.
"*If* this is true, it's bullcrap. What about those of us who have already purchased the premium xbox360, and the HD-DVD add on? Now we are stuck w/ no HDMI unless we throw down another 479.00 bucks for a new Xbox."
You can wait until a new core system is released with HDMI if you really must have HDMI. And you (we, really) were stuck with no HDMI regardless if this system comes out or not.
It's a nice option, but it wouldn't make me buy a "game" console. But it's nice to have if you want to dl a hd movie(and not mind waiting a while for it)why the heck not? I'd probably use that more then some psuedo home world-which may be fun for a while but in the end wont bring me much satisfaction-but a high def movie on a nice hdtv-sounds good.
Does anyone else have a problem with this? I spent $400 on a premium 360, and now a little over a year later I hear that what was supposed to be the ultimate xbox 360 is now going to be outdated? What is Microsoft going to do for all of us that already own one and want HDMI! I understand being able to buy a 120GB drive, but I have a HD TV and the HD DVD accessory and I want to be able to play my HD DVD movies with the best possible quality! This trend of game companies releasing "newer models" has really got to stop. I understand after maybe 3 years releasing a slimmer version with the same specs, but when a company decides to offer significantly higher quality products a mere year after release, it looks less to me like a "new version" and more to me like backpedalling after high consumer demand and not offering a properly designed product at launch!
Russell,
When Iam saying unlimited Iam pretty close to the mark. Ive been a member for years. I have relatives and friends in the company and have heard direct form employees and experienced the return policy first hand. Generally if you have a receipt or not(having is better-but they can look up your purchases by id #) they recommend returning items within 2 years for a full refund or credit-refunds of cash are usually NEVER a problem. I bought my friend a 360 and after a few months he was hard up for cash. He took it back and kept his games and walked out with $500 in cash. I recently bought a video camera last year and the costco lady told me I could exchange it this year if I liked the newer model better! So I will buy the new 360 transfer all my harddrive data from the old onto the new and then take it back! Ha ha-screw those 50 to 100 dollar extended warranties that are crap. they make you send it to MS or sony and wait forever. Costco will give you another right away or give you cash back-I never buy anything expensive from anywhere else. A word to the wise. I dont work there or hold stock. I have nothing to gain by telling others, only to help other gamers out. All the new games are $5 less than anywhere else too!
Due to abuse of the return policy, it's now shortened to 90 days for electronics.
The 90 days policy is their written policy but trust me-they still will return the item if they can prove you bought it there. They always go above their policy, but it is their to fall back on if they think it is being abused. That's from an inside source and from experience with electronic returns I have made since the policy changed(quite a long time ago actually) But dont believe me. I really dont care. It is your loss my friend.
h0mi, you have no idea what you're talking about. If the PS3 were upgradeable, it wouldn't be a console, now would it? It would be a damn PC. Let's get something straight: consoles are meant to be long-term investments. You're not supposed to have to second guess your purchase because there might be a better version a year later. That's what futureproof means in the world of consoles and the PS3 fits that definition perfectly. MS broke the first rule of consoles if this story is true.
As to your quips about "inferior technology", the PS3 is the most technologically superior console on the market right now, period. Simply because it's not using the latest hardware spec means absolutely nothing because Sony chose the latest specs at the time of development and manufacturing. I will say it's rather humorous that you bring up the PS3's lack of 802.11n when the damn specification is still in draft form. So why don't you tell me how the PS3 was supposed to utilize a spec that is far from being finalized?
The fact of the matter is, the PS3 is far more futureproof than any other console currently on the market. It shipped with Bluetooth, 802.11g, card readers, HDMI, and an upgradeable HDD, features that MS said were useless. Funny how they're now trying to silently backtrack. As I said when I began this post, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about and it would behoove you not to continue this discussion.
"We've seen 2 memes repeated about the ps3 and the 360- the ps3 is "futureproofed" because it has HDMI, and the 360 was "rushed" because it doesn't. Meanwhile, the cheaper ps3 cannot be upgraded to on board Wifi and the bluetooth and wifi in either ps3 model is _not_ upgradeable. Making the "futureproof" meme clearly false. You're stuck with older, slower, inferior technology with no way of upgrading it to newer, better tech."
No, because in terms of hardware, there is nothing preventing the consumers from adding newer IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth adapters. This is a software limitation. And SCEI has been frequently releasing firmware updates for the PlayStation 3. In fact, I just got one today that added Folding@Home to my PlayStation 3. I wouldn't be surprised if you were able to use 802.11 and Bluetooth adapters in the near future. We've already seen with the PlayStation Portable that many much-needed features were added later on. Plus, this technology is not inferior. Tell me, do you have any devices that use Bluetooth 2.0 or HDMI 1.3? I'm guessing the answer to that is no.
"Totally irrelevant. The ps3 is using older technologies, and more importantly cannot be upgraded to newer revisions. This is not a "futureproofed" device."
I'm only talking about it cuz you brought it up, a**hole. And actually, the PlayStation 3 is the most upgradeable of all the seventh-generation consoles. It uses the most standard storage mediums and has the most connectivity options. Whereas the Wii only has Secure Digital, the PlayStation 3 has Secure Digital, CompactFlash, AND Memory Stick. And don't even get me started on the Xbox 360. Even with the SATA connector, the bay is a proprietary design, and it doesn't even have any standard flash memory card readers. Whereas the PlayStation 3's HDD is MADE to be end-user upgradeable. Again, you are in no position to diss the PlayStation 3. Plus, the PlayStation 3 has both digital and analog video outputs, and SCEI itself has first party HDMI, Component AV, Composite AV, S-Video, et cetera cables. These are high-quality cables with gold-plated connectors. As with all Sony products, you get what you paid for, plus more. I have never been disappointed by a Sony product, ever. I've been using them for years, and I'm not stopping anytime soon.
"Indeed, but regardless, the ps3 can't be upgraded to 11n or Bt 2.1. If the ps3 had these things AND WAS UPGRADEABLE the ps3 fanboys would have a good point. But it isn't upgradeable."
Again, as I've said above, this is a software limitation, which can be easily overcome, as it's not an internal hardware limitation. The PlayStation 3 uses not one, two, or even three USB ports, but FOUR USB 2.0 ports for I/O. We've got the hardware, and SCEI will doubtless provide us with the software to make this happen. Not to mention, 802.11n is overrated. I mean, it's great and all, and I'd like to get it. But the PlayStation 3 uses 802.11 for the Internet. Have you ever heard of 54Mbps Internet? Cuz I certainly haven't. Even if the PlayStation 3 used 802.11b, it'd STILL be fast enough, since all it uses 802.11 for is for the INTERNET.
The PlayStation 3 is futureproofed in the sense that it will last longer than its competitors. You have misinterpreted the word "futureproofed" here. For years, the PlayStation brand has always lasted for like a decade. While the Xbox 360 and the Wii are expected to last like three to five years, the PlayStation 3 will last for ten. I highly doubt that we will be seeing 54Mbps Internet by 2011 (five years since the release of the PlayStation 3).
I'll just stick with mah PC - upgradeable, extendable, reliable (mostly). The only console games I play are those I can't get on PC. The last console game I bought was Dark Chronicle. When UT '07 comes out I'll have something that looks better, plays better than Gears of War.
And I could take a WiiMote, and with Microsoft's own Coding4Fun section, play UT '07 with it. Or wait a month and plug an X-Box or PS3 controller into it with a USB converter, not that I'd want to since I think playing FPSs with a console controller is awkward.
What I also don't get is that people are like 'OMFG HALO [1,2,3] IS TEH AWESOMEZ'. Halo games are generic and boring. The multiplayer mode suffers quite badly from the Descent effect and the storyline is predictable and dull. Plus I generally don't want melted plastic all over my TV stand after playing it.
PC > Wii > PS3 > X-Box 360. That is all.
jesus you guys sound like nerds... no one cares about hdmi bluetooth 802.11n, there are only two things that matter in video games 1. the fun factor and 2. the price. right now the wii is winning the battle because its fun to price ratio is through the roof.
the xbox is really going to shine next fall when *hopefully* the price is dropped and a little thing called halo3 comes out.
F*%& Micro$oft for not including the HD-DVD drive in the Elite box - or making the wifi internal - or getting rid of the RIDICULOUS power brick - I'll stick with my PS3.
"h0mi, you have no idea what you're talking about. If the PS3 were upgradeable, it wouldn't be a console, now would it? It would be a damn PC."
Does the "upgradeable HDD" turn the ps3 into a PC, or will you invent a laundry list of rules of what can and cannot be upgraded before a console becomes a PC? Lets see, Hard Drive? New Wifi Nic? Is it a PC yet? New controller? Does a new optical drive turn it into a PC? If I can run linux on it, is it now a PC? What if I add a keyboard and mouse? Add a vga adapter to plug it into a monitor?
"Let's get something straight: consoles are meant to be long-term investments. You're not supposed to have to second guess your purchase because there might be a better version a year later. That's what futureproof means in the world of consoles and the PS3 fits that definition perfectly."
Then the "basic" version of the ps3 is not "future-proof"ed because a better version of the ps3 _already_ exists. And you can't add wifi, chrome or the card reader to the basic version.
Stringer used the buzzword "future-proof" in the following context:
"When you bring into new technology, do you go for a cheaper transitional [product], or do you take a chance on future-proof, higher technology which will keep you going for many, many years?"
Cheaper transitional (product) would be a description of 802.11g, or Bluetooth 2.0. Or specifically, a console that had these built into it in such a way that you have no way to upgrade it. The 360 has Wifi as an add on, and it is as replaceable as the HD. There's no opportunity to do this with the ps3. The bottom line is is, is that the ps3 is not as "future proofed" as the SDF would like people to believe.
"It shipped with Bluetooth, 802.11g, card readers, HDMI, and an upgradeable HDD, features that MS said were useless. "
MS made Wifi available from the start, and the HD was always upgradeable. Card readers work with the 360, and HDMI was something MS never ruled out supporting in the 360.
"As I said when I began this post, you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about and it would behoove you not to continue this discussion."
You really ought to heed your own advice and reconsider some of your remarks. If you want to argue about the superiority of the ps3 over the 360, I'd recommend not talking about "future-proofing" since the ps3 is mired in its on set of obsoleted protocols and technologies.
Has the issue of data migration from the current hard drive to the new one been addressed? If so, how are they doing it?
And yet you continue. Including a separate part of a console that can be INDIVIDUALLY upgraded does not break the basic fundamental tenet of console hardware design. Consoles have been doing it for years (32X, SegaCD, PS2 HDD, etc.). The upgradeability was envisioned from the start. Moreover, having 2 separate SKUs available at the SAME time also does NOT break the fundamental tenet of console hardware design.
This is completely different from what MS is doing with the 360 elite. They've introduced a new AND better SKU 1.5 years after the introduction of the 360, completely destroying any sense of security earlier buyers had. And don't even try to compare this to the PSone or the Slim PS2 because they are fundamentally different situations. For starters, both "new" consoles were identical in functionality to their original counterparts, not to mention they appeared near the end of their respective predecessors' lives. They simply got smaller.
But what do we have with the 360 Elite? We've possibly got a smaller and cooler running processor, a bigger HDD that you won't be able to upgrade to immediately (speaking of which, the 360 HDD isn't truly upgradeable, or are you telling me you can go out and buy a standard 2.5" HDD right now and put it in your 360 without any additional modifications?), and an HDMI connector, all of which, save the HDD, you can't add to the either of the original 360 SKUs.
You seem to take issue with the fact that the PS3 has PC-like functionality but, I'm sorry to tell you, that does NOT make it a PC. I can't gut the PS3 and install hardware of my choosing, nor can I run applications or an OS of my choice directly from it. In short, I can't customize it at a whim. That's what makes something a PC and it's exactly why a PS3 (and a Mac for that matter) are NOT PCs.
You further bring up this future-proofing nonsense and I again reiterate that you don't know what you're talking about. Why do you insist on speaking of specs greater than 802.11g when none exist? Do you not understand the meaning behind the word "draft" or "far from finalized"? 802.11g is the latest WiFi technology and it will remain as such until 802.11n is finalized and ratified. You do the same thing with Bluetooth and guess what, Bluetooth 2.1 is also a DRAFT spec. So why don't you tell me how Sony can change Bluetooth and 802.11g to their latest specs WITHOUT releasing a new console? As I stated, future-proofing in the console world means using the latest and greatest technology AT THE TIME.
So what would that be when the PS3 was developed? Let's see: 802.11g, BD, support for all major card formats, HDMI, and Bluetooth 2.0. Seems like you couldn't get any better. They could've used 802.11a/b, they didn't. They could've stuck with DVDs, they didn't. They could've ditched support for cards all together, they didn't. They could've used infrared tech, they didn't. They could've used only standard A/V and composite cables, they didn't. Sounds like all this tech will last for quite a few years and still be future proof just like Stringer indicated.
But hey, you clearly must know what you're talking about. After all, the PS3 is a PC because you can use a mouse/keyboard and run Linux, right? And it's not future proof because HDMI 1.4 might be out next year, right? Please, don't embarrass yourself further. In fact, don't bother replying because it's no longer worth my time to continue to correct you.
Feel free to ignore this & other comments of mine... you misunderstood and misrepresented my points about the ps3/pc.
80211n is a draft standard but has been around well before HDMI 1.3 came out... Sony is not unaware of this and should've had a Wifi adapter built into the ps3 in such a way that replacing it would've been easy, or adding it to the base ps3 would be possible. That would've addressed the issue very nicely and "future proofed" their system. They didn't, however. It's this selective use of "future proofing" that I'm pointing out where adopting an "old" but common standard (component cables, DVD9) on the 360 are cited as examples of "rushed" products, but not being able to utilize 11n or newer bluetooth versions is ignored.
And no, this new SKU does not "destroy" any security 360 owners have, except for the "OMG MUST HAVE NEWEST BEST BIGGEST STUFF KTHX" types and who cares what they think.... The changes you mention offer no new game enhancements or functionality over existing models but the ps2 changes did. Eventually the 120 GB HD will be released and we'll be able to upgrade to it, even though the HD is still unnecessary- my 20 gig drive works just fine and I have no need to upgrade. If the 360 added some HD disk format drive to the machine, you'd actually have a valid point but that's probably why PS3 fans keep suggesting it.
ACTUALLY YOUR WRONG MIKE! ON YOUR COMMENT: You said and I quote.
Why do you insist on speaking of specs greater than 802.11g when none exist?
according to my wikepedia your wrong and from what I heard. Below you can read
802.11n is another modulation technique that has recently been developed; the standard is still under development, although products designed based on draft versions of the standard are being sold. Other standards in the family (c–f, h, j) are service enhancements and extensions or corrections to previous specifications. 802.11b was the first widely accepted wireless networking standard, followed (somewhat counterintuitively) by 802.11a and 802.11g.
But other than that info about wireless signals MIKE I agree with you 100 percent, and people stop arguing about console wars, we are still going to play the games on each system regardless of who we think has the better hardware.
Tell that to the people who think this revision of the 360 "completely destroy(s) any sense of security" people with older 360 had. I view this as a welcome update to the 360, albeit one that isn't vital because the most important thing about owning a console- playing games- is unaffected by this.
Sony's use of 'future-proof' is the part that makes all commotion start in the first place. I can't think of a better word to replace it but the fact is that the PS3 included the components (regardless of version) integrated into the device. That's HDMI/WiFi/Bluetooth/HDD/card reader... the 360 however decided that it would go with a base set of specs to make the thing function.
It would've been nice to add an almost ubiquitously used function such as WiFi into the device, as with some revision of Bluetooth and HDMI that was available in late '05. I think PS3 owners can rest assured that although technology will develop better revisions of the components on the console, it'll still work due to BC for HDMI/BT/WiFi...
The gripe that I would have with MS is that they didn't include the WiFi, BT, and HDMI... with all technologies being available during its development/release time, why leave out such popular I/O formats and then charge an arm and a leg for things most people would want? The last item is not even feasible without a HW overhaul... with the amount of BC capability that all formats are incorporating before finalizing any new revisions, why not include at least the base component to at least allow functionality? I'd be pissed. You can say that you don't use one or the other of the 3 aforementioned items, but Wifi/HDMI is desired by a majority of users and BT would be just as popular with the loads of accessory products it could support.
As for add-ons for PS3, since they don't have any newer/certified revisions of WiFi/BT, why would they even release a USB device updating the protocols? Maybe one will appear? Maybe not.