The new Xbox 360 is here -- we go head-to-head with the 360 Original, PS3 Slim, and Wii
By Nilay Patel 
posted Jun 18th 2010 1:40PM
posted Jun 18th 2010 1:40PM
P.S. Fun note: the older 360 pictured here RROD'd almost immediately after we unboxed the new unit. Karma!
We're going to be continually updating this post throughout the day, so hit us up with questions and keep checking back!
Okay, so we're just going to put this out there: at least one of our new Xbox 360s is anything but "whisper quiet" when it's playing a game. It's almost totally silent when it's doing something that doesn't require spinning a disc, but as soon as that happens, there's a loud hum -- we measured it at 60db, or about the same as our older 360. The sound itself is way different -- a steady low hum instead of the old whine and clunking sounds -- but it's definitely there, no matter where we move the console or how we position it. Here's the video:
Now, we're not going to go crazy and say this is what every new Xbox 360 sounds like until we've had a chance to test a few more, but we can't just ignore it, either. We'll let you know what we find out -- and if you've got a new 360 of your own, we're dying to know what it sounds like.
Other quick notes:
Other quick notes:
- Although it's not quite as hot as the original, the new Xbox 360 still generates a fair amount of heat, which is vented out through that stealth-fighter vent on the side. That means you shouldn't put anything on top of it if you're placing it horizontally in a cabinent -- you'll block the vent and end up baking everything.
- It definitely loaded up Modern Warfare 2 faster than our original 360.
- The HDD transfer utility has been refreshed: instead of an all-or-nothing approach you can pick and choose what content to bring over, and it doesn't automatically wipe the destination drive. Installed games don't go along for the ride (songs ripped from Rock Band and Lego Rock Band transferred just fine, though) and anything else you opt to leave behind will still remain on the original drive.
- What the transfer cable doesn't appear to do anymore is transfer the licenses for your DLC to new hardware -- at least it didn't for us. That means a trip to http://www.xbox.com/en-us/support/systemuse/xbox360/licensemigration/ and plenty of redownloading if you like to play offline, or on other profiles on the same box.
- As we noted during our E3 hands-on, the system doesn't see the built-in WiFi as built-in -- it says WiFi adapter detected. Amusing, if nothing else.
- Your old HD component cables will still work -- we're actually using our old ones at 1080i and it looks just fine. Obviously you'll need to make sure your TV supports component 1080p to get that res -- otherwise you can just use HDMI.
- There is an IR port -- our remote worked just fine. It looks like it's hidden in the controller connect button, from what we can tell.
Wii60
People may critisize Microsoft all they want but I like this move. This is a fresh update to their system. I like how it looks. This is the microsoft we want to see, not the company that drags it feet and cancels the courier. Keep working hard and dont be lazy!
@Filthymcnasty
it looks like an X shaped box.. oh... right
@Filthymcnasty PSwii for me
@Filthymcnasty WiiS360?
@Filthymcnasty
I think it should be called "Xbox 2 Pi"
@N900
damn... i so wish it could boot windows also. Then I would have just dumped my desktop and used this instead. And b4 every1 downranks me, I would just like to state that I just wish that it did and do not expect MS to actually make it run Windows, hell with 512mb ram it would suck as a PC anyway.
ive this weird feeling that theyll come out w/ glossy white or other colors.
@Mike Vick yeah its there best looking 360 yet
i still never understood why anyone would want that halo green it just looked butt ugly
@Filthymcnasty Engadget, can you compare the noise levels with old one when playing a game of HDD.. hopefully MW2 installed on HDD..... or did you lose your old 360 for good?
@N900
PSWii60
@hulahoophugs i have a ps3 a 360 and a wii. i can honestly say out of all of them the 360 seems best overall. the games are usually better looking, and run more solid. the dashboard, while not as sexy as the ps3 is definitely more functional and less tedious - as is the whole online multiplayer experience. i in fact find multiplayer on ps3 so lacking in comparison that if a game is available for both systems i usually go for 360. Also... the ps3 is sooooo slllloooooow at downloading, system updates etc - and whats with a long install after that slow download? the only thing that impresses me with the ps3 is the lack of noise and bluray.
@Mike Vick
They also need to support their own standard. NTFS already Please!!!
@system22 I respectfully disagree. I just bought the 360, and already had the PS3 and Wii. I like the navigation on the PS the most by far.
My PS3 crashed (requiring reboot) 2 times in the last 2.5 years. My 360 has crashed 2 times in 3 days. (I bought the 360 arcade that just started going for 149 at Target, Walmart etc). That said, it could have something to do with the usb stick I'm using, since I was trying to start different demos from it both times.
I have noticed that some games that only come as one player on ps3 (far cry2 for instance) come as multiplayer on the xbox360, which I far prefer. I think both consoles have some great exclusive titles (picked up Halo3 used today).
I'd say noise levels on my old ps3 and the xbox360 is relatively even, though the xbox360 may be slightly more noisy. I expect the ps3 slim and new xbox360 to be much better.
Big point to xbox360 for the media center extender - it works really well!!!
@Filthymcnasty
i got mine yesterday at gamestop and it is so much better than my old elite. out with the old in with the new.
it is so much quieter than the old one its almost a joke. i am in disblief at how i can hardly hear it while playing a game. and if you are going to compain about the dvd drive, just install to hdd, come on now you 250gb to play with, haha. but yeah, install to hdd and you'll be loving the reduced strain on your ears, well, except for that 5.1 killer setup right? (which by the way does not require the dongle anymore, another plus)
250 gig hard drive... no reason at all to play a game right off the disc...
thats why i bought my 250 gig drive for $50 off newegg and my 1st gen xbox stays quieter than my buddies old school ps3
@Mike Vick "Keep working hard and dont be lazy!" Just in general- that's quite good.
@Mike Vick Even though I do not like what Microsoft has done in the console industry (introduced a failing, less capable piece of hardware and tried to set it as the norm whilst also plaguing the PC community) even I could say changing this thing is a much welcomed change.
I think for the first time in 4 years it's actually worth considering now.
@Mike Vick
I totally agree, this new refresh and focus on fixing the hardware and improving performance, along with Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7 have seen a new change for Microsoft for the better. I won't be trading in my PS3 anytime soon, or Wii for that matter, but I may consider buying a 360 again.
(Zune still sucks though).
@Mike Vick The Courier never even existed to begin with.
FYI:
I tested the new xbox vs the old. For the test, I copied a game to HD. The old one was 62db, the new one is 52db. The new one is significantly quieter. At a 10db difference, you are looking at over 3 times the perceived loudness of the old one vs new.
@nilay you may just have a bad unit.
@Blizaine Or a bad iPhone...
@coolpal +1 For this since it has a 250GB hard drive lots of people including me would copy to hdd to try and cut down on noise.
God the PS3fat is........fat
@JohnPheng -- God the Wii is.......crap
@JohnPheng Eh, i like a little junk in the trunk. In this case, especially if she's 60 and does all the things her mother did.
@JohnPheng
To make a fair comparison you have to include the power supply of the 360. Which would make it the fastest console
@JohnPheng
Evs. The PS3 is a completely self-contained unit. Sit the Xbox 360's power brick on one end and it's the same height as the phat PS3.
@JohnPheng Jesus Christ that power supply is huge!
@Nomi
that's what she said!
@JohnPheng It is fat but it is still the most reliable system out there.
@JohnPheng
Ya the old PS3 is fat. The new 360 is fatter than the ps3 slim though. Plus ps3 won't friggan rrod on you.
@maattp and neither will the new 360
@SteveyAyo To be fair, though, we don't know that yet. I'm betting it won't though, I just have a feeling.
@Arayta It definitely wont, it doesn't have the LEDs to RROD.
@JohnPheng
but the PS3 slim really is a gorgeous piece of hardware
If you go fast looks like they are having sex.
@Slvrgun
If you look at this real quick I get the same illusion!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aodpb3vFU0
360 slim is definite the best looking console in the group.
@techlord no way.....it looks nasty and plasticky compared to the PS3slim
@ajwoodhouse
The PS3slim is still made of plastic.
@ajwoodhouse Yep I am a 360 guy and still I agree with you. Sony knows how to make hard ware look good. The 360 wins in game play though.
@Paul Elmy
He is right though, the slim does look classier. The hyper-glossy, over angular design just doesn't beat the original grey/white ones curves IMO.
@techlord it looks like a desktop tower, by far the least inspiring console design since the original xbox
@techlord
Disclaimer: Owner of original 60GB PS3 fat, love it, never plan to own another system this gen.
PS3 fat = 360 slim, but I think the 360 has a slight edge in vertical
PS3 slim > 360 slim in horizontal
360 slim > PS3 slim in vertical
Looks like Sony sort of bailed on vertical design with the slim
But most importantly 360 slim >>>> Original 360.
I always thought the 360 looked like a cheap toy. This system is great looking though, so good going MS.
i don't like the angular design of the front, they should have kept the curve, also slot loading disc drive would have been nice.
trays are sooooo 90s.
that being said i will pick one up at some point, if only for reduced noise level.
@Filthymcnasty
I can't understand the tray, either. Is it a hardware limitation? Could they not squeeze in the slot-loading mechanisms? Regardless, it makes this system look behind the times. C'mon, Microsoft. Get your act together.
@Filthymcnasty
Where did you find the picture in your avatar? Link me please! I must see it in high res.
@Filthymcnasty I like trays, because when a system breaks, I can still get the disc out.
PS3 slim! Whoo!