The new Xbox 360 is here -- we go head-to-head with the 360 Original, PS3 Slim, and Wii
By Nilay Patel 
posted June 18th 2010 1:40PM
posted June 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.
@malexandria1 You can get another 360, you just can't play your DLC offline. assuming You have a decent internet connection it's not that big of a deal.
Looking at the PS comparisons... one thing really sticks out... Sony really didn't design those consoles to look good in the vertical stance... they look down right horrible compared to 360s.
@timotim
I couldn't disagree more. Personally I love my PS3 fat vertically standing. Design looks fine to me (then again I do also have it as ceramic white JPN ver. so maybe that adds to smexiness, lol)...now the slim model on the other hand...meh.
Of course, I have to admit I simply thing the PS3 slim (w/ the exception of the Ltd. edition JPN FF13 ceramic white) looks overall fugly and bland, anyway.
My Slim is getting similar 60dB readings when playing a CD/spinning a disc.
But, that's sort of irrelevant because as soon as you install a game to your HD (like you should ALL games) it is dead quiet. That's all that matters.
guess they finally decided to keep us from making the old digital audio connectors using a knife and scissors and pliers.
Boy-racer renault clio sideskirts and low end alienware hybrid?
..."Obviously you'll need to make sure your TV supports component 1080p to get that res -- otherwise you can just use HDMI."...
This doesn't make sense. There is no such thing as "component 1080p". The maximum HDTV resolution supported via the component standard is 1080i. To get 1080p out of the X-Box you need to use VGA or HDMI output.
@Insomnihack Actually there is. http://www.hdtvinfo.eu/news/hdtv-articles/1080p-over-component-video-standard-proposed-to-the-cea.html
Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 support 1080p over component.
let me know the sound levels when you test them without talking, thanks.
They should call it the "Xbox 360 Slimmer". Actually same goes with the PS3 'slim'. Not sure what is slim about these machines other than being not as chunky as their originals. pfftt marketing BS
Also why not complete the article before posting, Engadget?
Ah, I welcome oblivion
They are using the same old hardware and thats as small as they could make it??? Its about as big as a ps3 slim and the slim has blueray and an 8 core processor. Microsoft should have made this very small, this is just a slightly shorter version of xbox 360.... disappointing. Go ahead xbox fanboys, down rank me into oblivion.
@MEH
You know, when I finally seen them side-by-side--hell, even for that--that's the exact thing that I was thinking. I mean, I won't even go so far as to even classify it as 'slim' or 'slimmer'--shorter, yeah maybe by a little, but certainly not slimmer. It might be a slightly smaller design, but that's about it.
My friend had ordered a Xbox 360 Slim yesterday. I plan on buying one for myself in a couple of weeks.
Got to say I"m a bit disappointed that Microsoft hasn't implemented blu-ray yet they will have too sometime. I mean sony will always have games and movies
@deftjangle
LOL, and you actually think Sony would even dare license out the right for MS's 360 to incorporate blu-ray?? For that matter, don't even expect MS to swallow that much pride to even ask them...
Is it any quieter?
Engadget, you're forgetting the power brick. I hate those things.
Why couldn't MS put the PSU in the new Xbox 360 this time? I mean, c'mon, man! C'mon! What's the deal here? Even the new Mac Mini that just came out has the power supply in it, and it's SUPER tiny.
And what's up with sticking with a disc tray. I know there's still the thing where if the system fails, you can still get your disc back(and I'm not hoping for the new Xbox 360 to fail any time soon), but you still have to pry it open with a knife and completely scratch up the finish. With the PS3 at least, you can take out the hard drive and push the disc out, so MS could've done something like that.
Otherwise, I think I'll be getting one for the exclusives. Then, my collection will be complete again, with an Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and gaming PC! Mwahaha!
I bought a new slim 360 today and I have to say I am greatly disappointed in how noisy the DVD drive is. Seems to be louder than the one in the video and will be returning it tomorrow for a new one.
Has anyone noticed that the xbox doesntshow any fingerprints even when being hooked up. I held for at least ten minutes and there is not one visible fingerprint.
It's a little lighter, smaller, cooler, and quieter, it's got built in Wi-Fi, more USB ports, embedded optical audio, and the Kinect port, and with the new optical drive it seems to load a bit faster. All and all it's a nice upgrade, but without Bluetooth, swappable had drives, a built in power brick, a slot loading Blu-ray drive, 3D capable HDMI out, or Gigabit Ethernet it's still inferior to the PS3 from a technical level as far as I'm concerned, and doesn't deserve to be selling at the same price point as it.
@kenny goo
I'm sure we'll be seeing a ps3 be selling for that price with a 250gb hd soon since it's missing that now.
@deliteguy
The only two things the 360 S has over the PS3 Slim is 802.11n as opposed to 802.11b/g, and a 250GB HDD as opposed to a 120GB HDD. There is a $350 PS3 bundle that has the larger 250GB HDD, and since the PS3 uses a universal 2.5" SATA HDD you can swap it out and put any drive you want in its place, so that's worth noting.
But yea, with those new model number leaks I figure they'll announce some type of upgrade or sweeten their $300 bundle at some press event later this year. The 250GB HDD is a lock, an HDMI cable would be nice, and 802.11n is possible but it's a stretch. Not sure they wanna change up internals like that and burn the early adopters so soon. And from the looks of it their more expensive $400 bundle is gonna be their one for Move now.
one important thing to put in the article:
THE WIRELESS N IS ONLY 2.4GHz, NOT 5GHz.
microsoft cheaped out on the wireless with this.
@Hawaii Jeff Not really, it costs the same price no matter which one you make. It's kinda pointless anyways, since if you're close enough to the router you shouldn't be gaming on wireless anyways, and if you're far away than 5ghz sucks for penetrating walls. Anyone that knows the difference between the two should be geeky enough to not want to game on wireless anyways...
The new 360 is pretty sexy, I have to say. Too bad it is devoid of a blu-ray drive, and a decent CPU. PS3 FTW!
Did I mention that the PS3 is essentially a supercomputer for $300? Think about that one for a second...
@eventhorizon
Unfortunately not anymore since that ghey asz update removed Other OS. :/ now its just... a PS3 with a easily switchable hard drive.
@eventhorizon If you think the PS3 is a "supercomputer" then your an idiot. Yeah it's cpu is better than that on the 360, but it is in no way a supercomputer. My sony vaio laptop is more powerful. Learn some facts before shouting fanboy rubbish.
Hitting the stores, excuse me? WHERE
The post says "at least one of our new Xbox 360s is anything but" quiet - does this mean the other ones were quiet, or was this the only one tested?
I'm just curious because the noise issue is the biggest improvement in my mind, and I'd hate for it to just be hype. Sounds like some other commenters think the new one is quieter.
This may be asking a lot, but is there a way to find out what type of hard drive they are using? there didn't seem to be any ventilation on the case like with the old one. I can't imagine its actually solid state.
Mine seems pretty loud, but then again, I don't have a reference except for the really quiet Wii and my Vaio Z, which is also very quiet.
Does the old component cable really still work?