New Xbox 360 gets official at $299, shipping today, looks angular and ominous (video hands-on!)
By Nilay Patel 
posted June 14th 2010 4:12PM
posted June 14th 2010 4:12PM
If you're in Europe, don't fret, as yours is coming soon. Microsoft's official Xbox Twitter account has confirmed the console hits there on July 16.
Update: We just got the official fact sheet, check it after the break. Oh, and we're calling it the "Stealthbox" to keep all the models straight. It just feels right, you know?
Update 2: According to a Microsoft representative, the Xbox 360 Original will still be sold while there's stock, but they're not making any more of them. Once they're gone, they're gone -- and we'd assume a new $199 variant of the new design will eventually be released to fill the void.
Xbox 360 250GB
Xbox 360 is fully loaded with new features and still comes with everything you know and love. Here's a feature list to make sure you don't miss any of the newest Xbox 360 250GB parts.
Form Factor: Sleek, lean and gloss black finish with chrome accents. Place vertically or horizontally in any living room entertainment center.
Touch Sensitive Buttons: Turn the Xbox 360 video game system on/off and eject a disc with the swipe of a finger.
Whisper Quiet: Whether you're playing a DVD disc or from the hard drive, or navigating the dashboard, with the all-new and much quieter Xbox 360, the only noise you'll hear is your own laughing, cheering and playing.
Wi-Fi: Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi for fast, easy connection to your friends and entertainment on Xbox LIVE.
Hard Drive: 250GB internal, swappable hard drive for even more storage. To access, remove the bottom panel by pushing the small tab toward the front of the console.
Kinect-Ready: Custom Kinect port on the back of the console that directly hooks up to the Kinect sensor for controller-free fun.
USB Slots: Five USB ports; three in the back of the console and two in the front for easy plug and play.
AV Connections:
AV Cable included for standard definition TV connection.
HDMI port for high definition TV connection.
Optical Audio out port integrated on back of console for AV system connection.
Power Supply: Smaller and more efficient. Xbox 360 250GB and Xbox 360 Original power supplies are not interchangeable.
Wireless Controller: The award-winning Xbox 360 Wireless Controller matches the console in all black with color-matched thumsticks and directional pad with a touch of gloss and chrome to complete the look.
Backwards Compatible. Your favorite accessories and games will work with Xbox 360 250GB. (Xbox 360 External Hard Drives and Memory Units are not compatible.)
Accessories. Customize your Xbox 360 250GB with matching black accessories, including favorites such as Controllers, Wireless Headset, Chatpad, Quick Charge and Play & Charge Kits and more. Get a look at a few of these today.
Key Internal Components Changes:
Fan: Moved from two small fans to one larger fan for improved acoustics.
Chipset: 45 nanometer and integrated CPU and GPU.
Wi-Fi: Integrated wireless capability.
SSSSSEEEEEEXXXXXXXXXXYYYYYYYYYYY !
It looks like a terminator!
@Paul Elmy
Rawr
Microsoft "doin it big"
@Paul Elmy
Although I can't really justify why (already have an Elite), I REALLY REALLY REALLY want one!
@Paul Elmy To be honest, I don't really see too much of a difference from the original 360. It's angular and a little smaller (and annoyingly glossy) but there isn't much of a change.
@mikmik111 Which is funny, since Joystiq kept referring to Kinect as SkyNet in their LiveBlog.
@Paul Elmy
*RROD included
Wow ... I think it's finally time to swap out my first gen 20 Gig 360.
@Paul Elmy
hopefully they will rid Xbox of the RROD.
@Paul Elmy
Really???
I like the old one a lot better, but I'd rather have the newer one (for failure proofing)
Engadget you better post some macro pictures I want to make love on that thing
@Paul Elmy And you know it won't overheat because the whole fucking thing is a vent.
@Paul Elmy It does look nice... To me, it looks Alienware-ish.
@Meekermoloko
Same here!
Held off on buying any extra peripherals cords and wires just in case this thing was true. HAHAHAHA WIN!!
HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT! get it get get it get HOT HOT HOT!
@Paul Elmy
Yesterday someone said that it was a fake,and I was thinking otherwise. I'm wondering if there is any change of hardware in it.
Does it come in matte black? I'm not digging the shiny look. The angles are kickass though!
@Paul Elmy Honestly, this is what the original/first Xbox 360 should have been.
@Paul Elmy
It's a game console, you don't need to call it sexy.
I think it's time to get another 360, I thought I wouldn't miss it and got a PS3, but I do miss Halo, a lot.
@Paul Elmy : wait a minute, wtheck, the old one didn't have Wi-Fi? Glad I didn't but it yet?
Dang, I wants to be at E3!!!!! Frig, it's only for trade peoples, I hates. I bet at the Sony event they give out free Playstation Moves, and at the Nintendo event free whateverthehecknintendoshowstommorows. What is Nintendo showing off tomorrow? Eitha way, that Star Wars game looks friggin amazing, enough reason to buy one.
Looks like it was designed by someone from Alienware.. and I mean that in a good way!
@Paul Elmy Some more info:
It's available in the UK (and Europe) July 16th, for £199/€249.
It has the power brick built inside (yay!), and has a mysterious "Aux" port on the back which looks proprietary.
@liam my bet is that the aux port is where "kinect" connects to it
Sexy... but I still want Blu-Ray in my 360!!
@Paul Elmy Nevermind that its sexy. Look at that fucking airflow. This can chill right next to my oven.
@PeterJames
Expect it in the 720, or maybe not.
@TheJake Wifi?
@TheJake It has an internal power supply, more USB ports (if that little door on the front has 2 like we all suspect), internal WiFi, a new HDD caddy with a larger drive. In other words, unlike the PS3, the 360 is smaller and has more features - what more did you really want?
@jturnley That makes no sense. The PS3 already has all those features you mentioned from launch AND no proprietary HDD. And it is not smaller than a PS3 Slim.
@Paul Elmy
Mmm...must have original 360 "fat" vs 360 slim comparison shots. immediately. c'mon boys, its just like the ps3 slim release. then of course do the nasty 4 way, ps3 slim, vs ps3 fat, vs 360 fat vs the new 360 slim all in one shot.
@Paul Elmy
big question....included controllers? 2? wireless?
@chicagowiseguy
i think he meant fat xbox going down to slim xbox got more features compared to fat ps3 going down to slim ps3 lost features.
i'm just guessing though.
@Paul Elmy
Hmm. Somebody's gotta do it, and seeing as I bought a PS3 last week, might as well be me.
PS3 - $299
120 gigs, Blu-ray disc, integrated wi-fi
360 - $299
250 gigs, integrated wi-fi, more USBs?
Yikes, tough call!
@jjasper123
Lol, they'll just change the color of the LED. Now it'll be the GROD, to keep up with modern lingo.
is that a Dell badge I see?
@Paul Elmy
dam now i want a 360 next to my b/c ps3
has the same amazing gloss and just about the same features
@Paul Elmy
Natal is huge! But I prefer the old design this one looks cheaply made.
@Paul Elmy OK... now I am happy my old xbox died and I held off from buying real cheap arcades for about 3 months now.
@TheJake
unless you are blind or cant read you shouldnt say that
built in wifi 250GB drive
2 more usb ports
integrated optical port
touch sensitive buttons
@Paul Elmy *YAAAAAWWWWWNNNNNNN
@DougieBear
Just noticed the "custom kinect port" does that mean we have to upgrade?
@manofchao5
I like that it now matches the PS3 sitting on my shelf. The new looks, combined with ESPN3, means this thing has a good chance of finally ending up in my home theater. Nice work, MS!
@Paul Elmy
Swappable hard drive!!? Wow, gg Microsoft!! 1TB going in hot!!
@DirtyVegas
For PS3
To add a 250GB 2.5" HDD, it will cost at the most $65 so that makes the PS3 $364.
For X360
To add a 3D Blu-Ray player, you'd have to pony up at least another $299 bringing X360 w/ blu-ray to $598!
The way I see it, if you don't need/care about Blu-Ray, go with a slim X360 because of the one Kinect port and 802.11n wireless for all your streaming needs. But if you just upgraded to that shiny new 3DTV, go w/ a PS3.
I already have a PS3, but this slim X360 is just calling my name. "Kevin! Come buy me!"
Fable 3, here I come!
@PeterJames Good point, why didn't they add a Blu-Ray player? It would totally take the blu-ray edge from the PS3.
THIS IS WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT FIRST!
@liam
The power brick isn't inside. That was a rumor last night from the leaked Italian ad. It still has an external brick, but it is smaller/ lighter/ and more efficient.
@blenderman345 Quick! Get to the ER. I think you hit your head.
@DirtyVegas
obviously bluray is better, i wouldnt get on usb ports just get a hub
but even better (get both)