While folks at the Xbox 360 repair lab know good and well how to strip a console back to its birthday suit, Microsoft is going the opposite direction with its limited run of Grand Theft Auto IV Elites. The console itself is purportedly blasted with automotive quality paint and each one is individually numbered. Apparently, the 500 units -- which look to come with a case full of peripherals -- are only being dished out to press outlets and the like, so it seems your only shot at actually acquiring one is by scouring the second hand market. Or you could just steal one and toss a Molotov cocktail behind as you're getting away -- that'd be fitting, we guess.

[Via Xbox360Fanboy]

We think it's possible that the time has come to admit that Ben Heck (aka Benjamin Heckendorn) has officially taken it to the limit, put the pedal to the metal, and a large number of other cliches that suggest something has been pushed just about as far as you can take it. That's right folks -- it's the Xbox 360 Elite laptop. We're not even going to try and pretend to understand how an individual could go about creating this kind of extreme mod to the Microsoft console -- needless to say that if there was one man who could do it, Ben is that guy. Luckily for us lay-people, he's included a graphic breakdown of just about every step on the road to a portable Xbox 360, replete will all the case cracking, innards opening, wire splaying photos you could possibly want or need. Sorry NEStari and Atari 800 laptop -- there's a new boss in town.

Update: Be sure to check out the charming video after the break to see Ben showing off the mod -- we're sure you'll enjoy the intro as much as we did.

Naturally curious as to why Xbox 360 Elites are so difficult to find, we went straight to the source -- and Microsoft tells us that demand is simply outstripping supply on the 360 Elite right now, and that no model lineup changes are planned at this time -- especially since the Elite is their hot seller. Well, so much for that conspiracy -- guess we're back to reading the PS3 tea leaves.

We know you've been dying to find out who's taking home that super rare signed 300-Edition Xbox 360 Elite. Well, you can all officially bum rush Erik Burgardt, since he's the lucky sucker taking this thing home.

Just for good measure, in addition to the signed Xbox and 300 HD DVD, Microsoft also hooked him up with a copy of Forza 2, Crackdown, a year's Xbox Live service, and 1600 Microsoft points. Congrats Erik, everyone -- including and especially us -- is incredibly jealous.

They don't come any freer than this, but time's running out: today's your last chance to sign up for one of twenty super rare limited edition Xbox 360 Elites we're giving away, signed by 300 creator and comic legend Frank Miller, as well as Zack Snyder, director of the eponymous film. The fun ends at 11:59PM tonight, so get on over to the contest post and do your thing.

Still haven't entered to win one of twenty super limited edition 300-themed Xbox 360 Elites we're giving away? Yeah, the ones signed by 300 creator and comic legend Frank Miller, as well as Zack Snyder, director of the eponymous film. Not sure what you're waiting for, the contest ends tomorrow, and potential next-gen console-earning heroic acts don't sprout on trees. Hit up the read link for the instructions.

Ohhh big surprise, Microsoft just announced a price drop on the 360 lineup. Retailers will knock $50 off the Premium systems (bringing it to $350), $30 off the Elite (down to $450), and $20 off the Core (bringing it to $280). Expect it to take effect this Wednesday, the 8th. Buy, buy, buy, people. Oh, let's briefly review how many of Microsoft's retail partners had a difficult time keeping Redmond's big secret.

Read - GameStop can't hold it in
Read - Circuit City, loose lips sink console price drops
Read - Best Buy thinks the Core system won't be around much longer
Read - Toys R Us won't keep a secret
Read - Wal-Mart's a blabbermouth
Read - The Hollywood Reporter even heard about this thing
Read - Oh, here's the official release

Not only is the console above (which we happen to be giving away) one of twenty super limited edition 300-themed Xbox 360 Elites, it's -- are you ready for this? -- signed by 300 creator and comic legend Frank Miller, as well as Zack Snyder, director of the eponymous film. Don't act like you don't want it. Go enter the contest (and have a good weekend while you're at it).

We've given away any number of Xbox 360s on Engadget in the past, but never one with the level of awesome turned up to 11 (or, in this case, 300). Today we're giving away one of just 20 super rare Xbox 360 Elite consoles printed with blood designs from 300 -- but rarer still since it's friggin' signed by Frank Miller. The details of what the winner takes:

• 300-Edition Xbox 360 Elite (120GB drive, wireless controller, etc.)
• Console is signed by 300 creator and comic legend Frank Miller, as well as Zack Snyder, director of the eponymous film
• 300 combo DVD / HD DVD (which is, incidentally, out today) to go right along with it.

Look, we'll admit it, we really don't want to give this thing away -- so make sure you follow the contest guidelines, ok?

The rules (yeah, there are always rules):

• Leave a comment below -- tell us your fave scene from the movie. (It's ok if you haven't seen it, but where the hell have you been?)
• You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) In other words, be careful when commenting and if you submit more than once, only activate one comment, ok?
• If you enter more than once, only activate one comment -- otherwise we'll send Leonidas after you.
• Contest is open to anyone worldwide!
• Entries can be submitted until 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, August 12th.

Retailers such as HMV, Play, and Game in the UK are gearing up for the August 24th European release of Redmond's deluxe game system, and have begun pricing and taking pre-orders on Xbox 360 Elite packages at £330, although there's been no official word from the company on pricing. Microsoft has been tight-lipped, but speculation is that sellers have been tipped off from other regions, as many of them have a European presence. Of course, Steve McGill, the UK mouthpiece for the Xbox, stated last week that the Elite vs. Premium package pricing would be similarly relative to their US counterparts, thus placing the Elite costs close to £336 -- which certainly seems to solve this mystery.

[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]

We're still a little curious at the hold up, but Microsoft has finally announced that the Xbox 360 Elite is going to hit Europe on August 24th. In addition to the Elite, Microsoft also shared the good news that Xbox Live types in Europe and Canada will be able to share in the video download goodies currently being enjoyed by their US counterparts, including but not limited to that hefty high-def Disney catalog that Microsoft is adding to the service tonight.

While many Americans have simply been trying to find the ebony Xbox 360 in stock, Microsoft has been making plans to hold its breath and launch the special edition console in Japan. If you've noticed, Microsoft has had quite the time trying to convince the Japanese to actually give the standard Xbox 360 a shot, but apparently there's hope that (yet another) flashy bundle will drum up business. Of course, the obvious standout here is the launch price, which will drop in at some $89 below what we Americans are forced to pay. Still, the ¥47,800 ($390) sticker shouldn't take anyone by surprise, as Microsoft already introduced the Xbox 360 Core system to this same market for a lesser price than that seen in North America. Anywho, for those interested (and living in Japan), be sure to mark you calendars for October 11th, capiche?

[Via Joystiq]

Man, talk about leaving the Home Pro Racing Simulator in the proverbial dust. VRX has introduced a swank new racing sim of its own designed with a Forza Motorsports 2 theme and a trio of 37-inch Sharp Aquos 1080p LCD TVs. The frame is constructed from CNC machined polished aluminum, and envelopes the gamer by curiously including just one Sparco seat along with four Xbox 360 Elites, four copies of Forza Motorsport 2, an Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on player, camera / wireless headset, a Zune, force feedback wheel, and surround sound as well. Sure, brush it off as overkill if you please, but those who are sick of draining quarters dollars at the arcade can contact the company to experience the presumed sticker shock for themselves.

It looks like Microsoft has decided to return some of its record-breaking profits back to the consumer in the form of a free Xbox 360 Hard Drive Transfer Kit for Elite owners -- although some will look at this gesture as less of a gift (being that it could have just been included in the box with all Elites) and more of a hassle to get a one-time-use product that already comes bundled with the standalone 120GB drive. Interested parties can grab the necessary form by following the Read link, but you'll need the serial numbers of both 360s to qualify, so if you were just looking for a free cable to tie up your pets or friends, you're out of luck. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via Joystiq, thanks Josh F.]

Sure, our Podcast is a little late going up from this weekend, but where else are you gonna hear Engadget editors ramble on about the latest developments in gaming with the Xbox Elite, and Sony's loss of Kutaragi? Also up this week: AT&T misfires on the N75 launch, and find out more about how you can win a Wii.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.
[RSS OGG] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in OGG) to your RSS aggregator.

Hosts: Peter Rojas and Ryan Block
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: Solvent - Instructograph (Ghostly International)

Program:
01:07 - Xbox 360 Elite coverage roundup -- are you getting one?
10:42 - Sony's Ken Kutaragi leaving SCE chairman and CEO spots in June
19:58 - Sony, Immersion in talks to get SIXAXIS rumbling
22:32 - Fuh Yuan retracts $299 Wal-Mart HD DVD statement
28:27 - AT&T botches Nokia N75 launch, pulls from site
30:25 - The debacle continues: AT&T pulls LG CU500v, too
35:49 - The Engadget mascot contest: win a Wii!

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)
LISTEN (OGG)

Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com