I'm not sure I understand your difference. If you are trying to say that none of these are 'cheap' at 200+, then I guess I understand you. But if you are trying to say that 200 is not cheap for a 1080i/p gaming console I might peg you to be a bit batty.
On the other hand, functionally inexpensive is another question. How much extra money do you need to spend to enjoy the console. I'm guessing the 360 gets that hands down because of how long the system has been out. You can get more games for cheap as well as cheaper controllers, etc.
I'm sure RC is using the term "inexpensive" relating to actual cost, and "not cheapest" relating to build and value.
I have a Wii, but I'm definitely considering this purchase.
By the way, as someone who hasn't kept up with the 360 console, is it possible to upgrade this one to have all the features of the more expensive 360 models? Or would I have to buy a new one when I'm ready for that?
bond, the only difference would be the lack of hard drive (which can be bought later), some differing cables (available separately) and a plain white rather than chrome effect disc tray. But you'd be better off just going straight for a 60GB 360.
Since I believe this Arcade model has HDMI, yes, you could upgrade it by purchasing a hard drive. All other features are the same as far as I know. The Elite just has the biggest HDD and is black, and was the first to have HDMI of the 360's.
This price is going to move some units for sure, I think. While many of us here may be a bit more fortunate, there are many families that simply cannot afford a $300-$400 system, and with the Wii being perpetually MIA, this is going to be a very feasible choice for them.
I'm kind of anxious to see the total US console numbers sometime next Jan/Feb. Might be interesting.
yes you can buy a Hard drive which is the only thing that differs from premium model. you can buy a 20GB which might dissapear since premium systems have moved up to 60GB but the 60GB HDD hasnt shown up in stores by itself yet, you can also buy a 120GB HDD though these HDD's are pretty expensive might be best to find one used.
yeah, so i didn't even know that you could add the hard drives to the arcade models. Thanks for the heads up. But honestly, 100 bucks for a 20 gig drive? you have to be kidding me. of course its still a better option than the wii (non existant), but for that price i could buy a 320 gb HD for a ps3 (2.5") or a second 750 GB for a desktop
$200: Xbox 360 Arcade $100: 20 GB hard drive adapter so you can play ALL the 360 games, not SOME of them. $100: WiFi adapter (Were going to put it right next to your router or run a long ugly network network cable to your TV?) ******Total: $400
$250: Wii $20: 2 GB SD card ******Total: $270
$400: PS3 ******Total: $400
So you have the Wii which is still much cheaper and will play ALL games and go online without running any wires, and the 360 and PS3 at the same price to play all their games, wireless, and yet the PS3 has the extra bonus of a blu-ray player.
If the Core system was this price AND included wifi, that would be a good deal. This Arcade model is still overpriced!
It's situational. I have a portable hard drive ready to use with this thing. I also have my router right next to my tv. I like the ability to plug 100Mb ethernet right next to all my peripherals that need it.
Plus: $100 for a 20 GB hard drive? Please. You can get 160GB hard drive for under $100. It doesn't need to be MS's drive.
- not to say you don't have a good point, but for me it's only a cost of $200.
Plus...for people who bought/were going to buy a Roku. Um. +$100 more for a gaming machine, media center. Also, who could forget that it has the least compatibility issues between current GH and RB guitar controllers.
bottom line for me (and probably many others). Awesome deal.
Definitely the cheapest, it doesn't even have a hard drive or freakin WiFi, nor can you play games online with it. Once you get all that it's actual cost is freakin $500!! ($200 system + $150 hard drive + $100 WiFi + $50 XBLA)
No thanks, I'll stick with my PS3, it's cheaper, plays tons of good games, and does Blu-ray too.
XBOX really is not cheaper, in the end it will cost you more to have features that can be comparable to the PS3. Sure, games cost an extra $10 but you don't have to pay a monthly fee to keep playing them online. And that cost is quickly diminishing, a lot of PS3 games are now under $40.
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Least expensive, not cheapest.
superplusgood!
I'm not sure I understand your difference. If you are trying to say that none of these are 'cheap' at 200+, then I guess I understand you. But if you are trying to say that 200 is not cheap for a 1080i/p gaming console I might peg you to be a bit batty.
On the other hand, functionally inexpensive is another question. How much extra money do you need to spend to enjoy the console. I'm guessing the 360 gets that hands down because of how long the system has been out. You can get more games for cheap as well as cheaper controllers, etc.
I'm sure RC is using the term "inexpensive" relating to actual cost, and "not cheapest" relating to build and value.
I have a Wii, but I'm definitely considering this purchase.
By the way, as someone who hasn't kept up with the 360 console, is it possible to upgrade this one to have all the features of the more expensive 360 models? Or would I have to buy a new one when I'm ready for that?
bond, the only difference would be the lack of hard drive (which can be bought later), some differing cables (available separately) and a plain white rather than chrome effect disc tray. But you'd be better off just going straight for a 60GB 360.
Since I believe this Arcade model has HDMI, yes, you could upgrade it by purchasing a hard drive. All other features are the same as far as I know. The Elite just has the biggest HDD and is black, and was the first to have HDMI of the 360's.
This price is going to move some units for sure, I think. While many of us here may be a bit more fortunate, there are many families that simply cannot afford a $300-$400 system, and with the Wii being perpetually MIA, this is going to be a very feasible choice for them.
I'm kind of anxious to see the total US console numbers sometime next Jan/Feb. Might be interesting.
yes you can buy a Hard drive which is the only thing that differs from premium model. you can buy a 20GB which might dissapear since premium systems have moved up to 60GB but the 60GB HDD hasnt shown up in stores by itself yet, you can also buy a 120GB HDD though these HDD's are pretty expensive might be best to find one used.
No, cheapest is about right.
If you don't think Microsoft cut corners on quality this generation, you haven't been paying attention.
@bliz419...
yeah, so i didn't even know that you could add the hard drives to the arcade models. Thanks for the heads up. But honestly, 100 bucks for a 20 gig drive? you have to be kidding me. of course its still a better option than the wii (non existant), but for that price i could buy a 320 gb HD for a ps3 (2.5") or a second 750 GB for a desktop
proprietary hardware sucks
$200: Xbox 360 Arcade
$100: 20 GB hard drive adapter so you can play ALL the 360 games, not SOME of them.
$100: WiFi adapter (Were going to put it right next to your router or run a long ugly network network cable to your TV?)
******Total: $400
$250: Wii
$20: 2 GB SD card
******Total: $270
$400: PS3
******Total: $400
So you have the Wii which is still much cheaper and will play ALL games and go online without running any wires, and the 360 and PS3 at the same price to play all their games, wireless, and yet the PS3 has the extra bonus of a blu-ray player.
If the Core system was this price AND included wifi, that would be a good deal. This Arcade model is still overpriced!
@Scott:
It's situational. I have a portable hard drive ready to use with this thing. I also have my router right next to my tv. I like the ability to plug 100Mb ethernet right next to all my peripherals that need it.
Plus: $100 for a 20 GB hard drive? Please. You can get 160GB hard drive for under $100. It doesn't need to be MS's drive.
- not to say you don't have a good point, but for me it's only a cost of $200.
Plus...for people who bought/were going to buy a Roku. Um. +$100 more for a gaming machine, media center. Also, who could forget that it has the least compatibility issues between current GH and RB guitar controllers.
bottom line for me (and probably many others). Awesome deal.
Don't be fooled by that $199.
@scott
You can get the 20 GB HDD off ebay for $40.00 and you can buy another router and use it as an access point for the wireless.
+30 for additional router
+40 for HDD
$270 To change the Xbox 360 over and it'll probably be cheaper than that to find a 20 GB online now that the Xbox360's have changed over to 60 GB..
Definitely the cheapest, it doesn't even have a hard drive or freakin WiFi, nor can you play games online with it. Once you get all that it's actual cost is freakin $500!! ($200 system + $150 hard drive + $100 WiFi + $50 XBLA)
No thanks, I'll stick with my PS3, it's cheaper, plays tons of good games, and does Blu-ray too.
XBOX really is not cheaper, in the end it will cost you more to have features that can be comparable to the PS3. Sure, games cost an extra $10 but you don't have to pay a monthly fee to keep playing them online. And that cost is quickly diminishing, a lot of PS3 games are now under $40.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2ImJ3_7r1I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80yykzysiyM
@Ethan..
You just made my day. Best response I have ever seen :) I hope I wasn't the only person to pick up on that.
Well mabe if you used the cheapest ps3 20gig wot look that bad?? (not ment to be ofensive)