Xbox 360 goes 60GB, 20 gigger going for $299 while supplies last

Word on the street was that the $299 price slash we've been hearing about wasn't about carving out a new pricepoint but instead making room for a new 60GB Xbox 360 in its place. Turns out the Mr. Word on the Street nailed this one, with Microsoft finally fessing up to the price drop, and announcing a new fancy 60GB Xbox 360 to fill in at that $349 pricepoint, which will be available in "early August." You can pick up a 20GB "while supplies last," but the $279 Arcade and $449 Elite aren't budging price wise. Oh, and can we just say that this couldn't come at any better a time? We just had to delete August Rush to make room for National Treasure 2, which we'll probably have to drop tomorrow for Fool's Gold. Such is life when you've only got 20GB to work with.

Update: Now up for an Amazon pre-order with an August 4th delivery.

[Thanks, Sean H. and Chris]

[AndrewP @ Jul 13th 2008 3:49AM]

60GB is nice. The 120 in my elite is entirely too much. However, 20GB would never suit my needs. I think this is going to be a really good thing.

[NineT9 @ Jul 13th 2008 5:38AM]

What is wrong with everyone? I haven't heard 1 RROD joke yet? Please, someone...

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Jul 13th 2008 9:17AM]

August Rush is much better compared to those movies, really...

[Flashpoint @ Jul 13th 2008 9:56AM]

I think 20GB is fine personaly. I download movies once in a blue moon and watch them, but as soon as they expire, I delete them. I never download purchases such as tv episodes cause they are available free online...or if I were going to, I'd simply delete them at a later time.

Yes I do recognize that many other people may "need" larger HDD's.


I would be much happier if Microsoft finally started embedding WiFi a/b/g/n chips into all 360's.

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 13th 2008 10:44AM]

Two questions though, as I am preparing to buy my first xbox 360. (shut up, i know, i live a sheltered life)

First: 20 GB sounds like a decent amount for games and movies, but aren't you able to stream video content from your pc? Also, what codecs does it support?

Second: Wasn't there that hack a while back that allowed you to turn any hard drive into an xbox 360 one?

[John B @ Jul 13th 2008 11:13AM]

Of course, it would have been nice if Microsoft didn't lock people into proprietary hard drives, then the issue of space never would have been an issue in the first place and people could have used whatever sized hard drive suited their purpose.

[Robert @ Jul 13th 2008 2:04PM]

@ Mike

20gb is enough for most people buy 60 if you use a lot of media. also is supports divx but not itunes drm content and most music formats.

[Adrian @ Jul 13th 2008 3:01PM]

I normally stream divx and xvid to my console with my XPS1330, but the GPU melted. While I'm waiting for dell to fix it, what is the best way to transfer movies from my external USB HDD to the xbox HDD? I tried plugging it directly in, but I guess it only likes flash drives. Do I have to transfer each file to a flash drive or DVD-R? That seems a bit silly.

[Adrian @ Jul 13th 2008 3:09PM]

I normally stream divx and xvid to my console with my XPS1330, but the GPU melted. While I'm waiting for dell to fix it, what is the best way to transfer movies from my external USB HDD to the xbox HDD? I tried plugging it directly in, but I guess it only likes flash drives. Do I have to transfer each file to a flash drive or DVD-R? That seems a bit silly.

[AndrewP @ Jul 13th 2008 5:36PM]

@Adrian
You can't put your own video files onto a 360, at all. You can put music on a 360 by ripping it from a CD but that's it. Maybe when your Dell gets back you should look at other brands, you know, one's that don't suck.

[NukeAssault @ Jul 14th 2008 12:45AM]

I agree, 20gb is not enough space. At first i thought it would be... but now im down to like 2 gb. 120 sounds like alot for me. I just hope they sell the 60gb HDD separately at some point.

[xcrunk @ Jul 14th 2008 8:28AM]

20GB sucks. 20GB is nothing. You can blow through that in no time.

This price drop is NOT A PRICE DROP.

IT'S A CLEARANCE SALE. Dumb dumbs.

60GB drive? That's it? A bump of 40GB to the drive and we're supposed to go flocking to the stores?

WEAK!!!

[Link2877 @ Jul 13th 2008 3:53AM]

About time this happened, might finally pick up an xbox. But seriously was their a point in the plugs for the not so good movies?

[Micanos @ Jul 13th 2008 4:28AM]

yeah.

[Brian @ Jul 13th 2008 3:53AM]

there is no such thing as too much space, you're crazy :)

[Kyle Krcmaric @ Jul 13th 2008 4:00AM]

I think I'll stick with my PS3, it too is also 60GB.

[Kyle Krcmaric @ Jul 13th 2008 4:05AM]

Oh, I almost forgot. For those of you who didn't know, the HDD on the PS3 can be switched out with any 2.5" SATA drive. One reason that I don't like the 360 is that you have to buy one of Microsoft's special 360 drives if you want more storage. Since I'm pretty sure that Microsoft is the only ones that make 360 HDD's, there's no competition, thus Microsoft can charge a lot more for them.

[Zorque @ Jul 13th 2008 4:06AM]

Ok, you have fun with your three games, more 360s for me.

[JAmerican @ Jul 13th 2008 4:12AM]

I got a 360 because its a gaming console and it does a good job of that. Although I wish I could add my own SATA drive legally without worrying about being banned. I really hope the PS4 will give the next Xbox a run for its money. That way, M$ has to open the system up like Sony has for the most part (Memory Sticks, USB HDD, swappable 2.5" SATA HDD, BT headset,store music from PC, store videos from PC...)

[white_ultras @ Jul 13th 2008 4:12AM]

Western failure.

No Halo, Gears of War, Burnout??
LOL, happy gaming "Haze" or some other PS3 crap.

[andres @ Jul 13th 2008 4:12AM]

who needs more than three games when you have metal gear solid 4

[Zorque @ Jul 13th 2008 4:13AM]

Also, as long as you copy the partition over, you can switch out the 360's drive with any SATA drive you want. Opinions are fine, but don't spout them off if they're unfounded.

[Kyle Krcmaric @ Jul 13th 2008 4:22AM]

@white_ultras

I don't know where you get your info, but the PS3 has Burnout Paradise.

[Mobius_1 @ Jul 13th 2008 5:23AM]

If I had either one, I would stop bothering to comment on Engadget and go play instead...

Either one is pretty awesome, so fanboys, shut up.

[Nippon @ Jul 13th 2008 7:11AM]

Both PS and XBox are aimed at different types of gaming... XBox seems to be a lot more multi-player oriented, while the PS has traditionally been a lot more single-player oriented. If I didn't have any friends I would buy a PS3. If I did I would buy a 360. Or because I don't really care about the price of stuff I would just buy all the new systems like I did, and play the good games and not worry about what system they are for.

[Will H. @ Jul 13th 2008 6:37AM]

Yes, switching out your hdd in a PS3 is incredibly easy. There is an access panel, and any 2.5" SATA hdd fits the bill. I've got a 250GB hdd in mine, but I find that I barely use any of it, because streaming media is just so easy.

With the new 2.40 xmb, having my music on a huge hdd means that I can listen to what I want, and change tracks while in-game.

I like my PS3.

That all being said, I would still love an X360. I've got nothing against it, it is a popular and fun console. The price-drop here in Australia makes it cheaper then a Wii, which is good. I really really love the look of Fable 2, I'm a huge Lionhead fan. Maybe by the time that game drops, the street price of a X360 will drop again!

[maty @ Jul 13th 2008 6:53AM]

Most people do know that fact.

Me? I haven't even got one for my 360.

In the UK all that is available is the odd demo, and arcade of course - but arcade games like Rez I have on my DC and old Megadrive/Genesis games I already have too.

Almost none of the movies in the US marketplace are available to us over the pond, I just simply don't have a need for a hard drive - at least not the extortionate price they charge us. We pay $50 more for the 20GB hard drive.

I'll get one someday... When the open Marketplace up to the international market...

[Drew @ Jul 13th 2008 10:55AM]

Amen Kyle. I love my 360 to death but boy did Sony take the right path when it comes to storage on their system.

[xcrunk @ Jul 14th 2008 8:48AM]

@Will H.:

I'm with you. I would love to get a 360, I just feel for what you get, it's a very expensive system. I've heard nothing but bad things about the quality of the hardware, from the vacuum sounding DVD drive to the malfunctioning GPU. The $50 a year multiplayer and the locked down hardware(HDD).

It just seems like a very expensive and risky proposition.

If I buy just because it's an uber gaming system. At $349, compare to the Wii, it's expensive. And compared the the PS3 it's not as cutting edge.

[SonyPS3Sucks @ Jul 13th 2008 4:07AM]

^ yeah, but sticking to your PS3.. means you missing out on the best console (360), games, and way better media entertainment than PS3 network has to offer.

*I just downloaded Siren demo from PS Network.. what shity controls!

[Kyle Krcmaric @ Jul 13th 2008 4:19AM]

You post about how the 360's better than the PS3, yet all you have to say is that you didn't like the controls for the Siren demo? Lame.

[Jettic @ Jul 13th 2008 1:52PM]

You know, perhaps I could respect your comment if you put an IMO cue somewhere in there (In your opinion)

[bvanhaun @ Jul 13th 2008 4:09AM]

i was hoping the elite would drop to $399 :/

[Vince @ Jul 13th 2008 4:26AM]

the elite has already drooped to 399.99.
Go to www.amazon.com and you will find the 360 elite marked down by
$50 to 399.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bvanhaun @ Jul 13th 2008 4:43AM]

well sunuvabitch. :)
with free shipping, i wonder if ill get it before gears of war 2 comes out. Thanks Vince.

[Survivalism @ Jul 13th 2008 4:34AM]

Didnt take long for the fanboy war to start...

[Mic2000 @ Jul 13th 2008 10:12AM]

It all started at July 13 2008 on Engadget.com, the most pitiful war ever...

GET A LIFE FOOLS!

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jul 13th 2008 11:31AM]

Mic2000@

you should see the other threads - about iPhone........

[Wormbolt @ Jul 13th 2008 11:52AM]

Obviously neither system can compete with the graphics and gameplay of Monkey Ball on the iPhone.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 13th 2008 3:10PM]

Well, NONE of the above can compare to Snake II on my Nokia 3360.

[Abuzar Baloach @ Jul 13th 2008 3:10PM]

Well, NONE of the above can compare to Snake II on my Nokia 3360.

[SonyPS3Sucks @ Jul 13th 2008 4:35AM]

@kyle I don't have prove the Xbox 360 is better than PS3. It just is! My display name says it all. :P

FYI- my name is a 5yr old 360 gamertag. Damn did I predict the future back then, or what!

[Carl Vitullo @ Jul 13th 2008 10:18AM]

How did you predict the future?
that the 360 didn't go belly up?
cua i think anybody could've told you that. if you'll notice, so far none of the consoles have done badly.

[MMisterio @ Jul 13th 2008 1:29PM]

let me predict your future:

You will die alone.

[Dr. Evil @ Jul 13th 2008 9:58PM]

"I don't have prove the Xbox 360 is better than PS3. It just is! "

He's got to be a little kid.

Little dude, if you like your XBox, then great. Why do you have to be such a dink about other platforms. Grow up man.

[Hunts314 @ Jul 13th 2008 10:22PM]

@MMistereo

nice triumph the insult comic dog reference...well if you were that is haha, but it made me laugh

[Static @ Jul 13th 2008 4:42AM]

I love my PS3 but is it really necessary to bring it into the comments? This is about the 360. I have to send mine back in but the thought of a 60 gig is promising. These potshots at each other really need to stop.

[xavi @ Jul 13th 2008 4:43AM]

This makes even more difficult to make a decision of whether to buy the PS3 or the XBox360. I really want to play MGS4 and I'm sure God of War 3 is going to be a great game. But then again Gears of War 2 is coming out later this year........I'll have to wait for E3 to see if Sony announces a price drop for the PS3.

[xValentine @ Jul 13th 2008 10:15PM]

Sony made it clear that they won't drop PS3 prices for now.

Have you seen the latest Killzone 2 vid ? That will make you urge to buy a PS3 more. :)

[SonyPS3Sucks @ Jul 13th 2008 4:48AM]

@xavi

Sony will not be lowering the price of the PS3.. Infact I have a valueable source saying they will discontinue the 40Gig PS3 Model (cheapest one) 3rd/4th quater of this year as well.