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Xbox 360 Elite vs. classic: the test
Well, we've had a few hours with our Xbox 360 Elite wherein we've done nothing but test it against the most rigorous (unscientific) means at our disposal. But finally we are able to answer the question: is an HDMI-enabled Xbox 360 capable of outputting noticeably higher quality gameplay and movies? We compared our classic Xbox 360 (manufactured 12/08/2005) with our spankin' new 360 Elite (manufactured 3/4/2007). Ready for the face-off? Check out the gallery, and read on for our conclusions.
Joystiq hands-on: Xbox 360 Hard-Drive Transfer Kit
While we're going through the manual that came with the Hard-Drive Transfer Kit, we though we'd share some pics of the little devil. It connects to the underside of the Xbox 360 hard drive and to the console via USB. This kit did not come with the Xbox 360 Elite. Microsoft anticipates most customers purchasing the Elite will be new customers; however, if you're upgrading, they'll provide a free Hard-Drive transfer kit redeemable at Xbox.com. While that's working (estimated time: 42 minutes), here's some info from the process: You need to snap your 20GB drive onto the Elite, and plug the 120GB drive into the Transfer Kit (yeah, we thought it was the other way around at first, too) Despite the image on the CD sleeve and software screen, the manual says "be sure to connect the transfer cable to the back port, not a port on the front of the console." This process does not copy your 20GB hard drive; it moves that data over to the 120GB drive and erases the 20GB drive The preloaded content on the Elite will be erased and replaced with your old data (not Hexic! Not again! Our refurbed 20GB drive didn't have Hexic on it ... and now the Elite won't either) XBLM and XBLA data will be moved, but the licenses "are tied to your console not your hard drive." This means you will only be able to play/watch those items while connected to Xbox Live. (Update: this only applies to switching consoles -- users upgrading to the 120GB drive on their existing console shouldn't encounter this shortcoming) Movie rentals will not be moved at all and will need to be watched before transferring data. Update: And we're done. The update took just under 40 minutes, and we needed to re-enter the network security settings for the 360's wireless adapter, but otherwise it went smooth enough. Our save games are intact and operable, our XBLA games are intact and semi-operable (as long as we're signed onto XBL, otherwise they behave like demos) and, whaddya know, Hexic remained on the drive! %Gallery-2823%
Joystiq unboxes the Xbox 360 Elite
The evil menace known as Joystiq received their Xbox 360 Elite today. As is only fitting, Joystiq set about performing the unboxing ritual with utmost care. As you might expect, the box contained an Xbox 360 elite and all the related goodies (HDMI cable, audio cable, 120GB HDD, and all that jazz). The HDD transfer cable -- used to copy your 20GB HDD data over to the 120GB HDD -- was packed outside of the box for some reason. We surmise, as does Joystiq, that this does not represent final packaging. Other than that, there isn't anything particularly remarkable about the Elite. It's black, it plays games, and ... um ... it's black.Check out Joystiq's Elite gallery for more pictures of the unboxing.
Black on black: Xbox 360 Elite vs PS3, which is more 1337?
Mirror, mirror on the wall, which black high def console is the 1337est of them all? We know some people were bummed that the Xbox 360 didn't get to compete in the 2006 Engadget Awards with the PS3 and Wii (hey, it was launched in 2005!), but now's your chance to square off the two most expensive game consoles around. So who's gonna take it, Sony's piano black PlayStation 3, or Microsoft's matte black Xbox 360 Elite? %Poll-387%
Xbox 360 Hard Drive Transfer Kit hands-on
Here's that Xbox 360 Hard Drive Transfer Kit that Microsoft so generously bundled with our Elite (don't expect to get one with yours, it doesn't come in the box). The documentation they sent with this thing was pretty substantial for an adapter and a CD you plug into your Xbox, but we think they want us to make sure we don't screw anything up and lose all our precious, precious data. Here's what you need to know (and some observations, to boot): You don't just transfer data to your 20GB drive externally -- you have to plug your 20GB drive into your Elite, and use the 120GB drive externally. (Yeah, we photographed the unit attached to our 20GB drive though.) You can only transfer content ONCE. This isn't a backup or duplication tool, it's one-time use per drive. Even after turning off the console our externally adapted drive kept spinning because it was powered by USB. Weird. Despite the on-screen diagram, our instructions say to use the BACK USB port. Woops, we didn't. Pray it doesn't kill our data. Apparently Microsoft wants you to dispose of your transfer cable after use. Um, ok? XBLA and Marketplace content (i.e. downloaded games and shows) require online authorization. In other words, some licenses can't transfer, and you won't necessarily be able to watch all your transferred media without logging on. Whatev. Movie rentals cannot transfer drives. "Watch them first!" because they're not going to make the trip, period. Double whatev. If your 20GB drive is maxed out like ours, it could take a while. The system transfer will tell you how long it estimates the transfer to take: moving our 17.5GB of data was estimated at 1 hour and 20 minutes. You can restart or stop the transfer at any time during the move, but you'll have to start all over again next time. But you won't lose any data. Supposedly. "Microsoft is not liable for any loss of data resulting from the transfer process." That's the third and final whatev! We'll let you know the final time it took to transfer our drive's contents.P.S. -Our bestest buds at Joystiq got the same document and scanned it in for us, check it out in the gallery.Update: All done! It took under an hour to move all 20GB over, not the hour+ the guide estimated. Best to keep expectations low, right? Still not super fast, but we'll live. Stick close for more details about the device, pricing, availability. (Anything else you want to know? Ask it in comments while we've got Microsoft's ear.)%Gallery-2820%
Joystiq hands-on: Xbox 360 Elite
Microsoft sent over an Xbox 360 Elite for us to tinker with, just days before its April 29th launch. First up on the agenda: unboxing the black beauty and sizing it up. Short of the black exterior, the "120GB" stamp on the hard drive, and the addition of an HDMI port on the back, there's little to superficially distinguish the Elite from its predecessor. Before we fire it up, here's a gallery of the unboxing ritual with captions on what's included. What should we check out first? [Update: Done with that? Be sure to check out our Hard-Drive Transfer Kit hands-on and our Xbox 360 Elite Q&A.] %Gallery-2817%
Xbox 360 Elite arrives - unboxing, comparison ensues
Well, our Xbox 360 Elite finally arrived! We're not going to spoil the moment with a lot of words, so check out all our photos (including comparison shots to the original, now completely obsolete Xbox 360), and stay tuned for more coverage.%Gallery-2818%
Mod your 360 with an off-the-shelf 120GB HDD, save $100
If there was any doubt in your mind that Microsoft is absolutely soaking us on the $179 pricetag of its new 120GB HDD, all should be laid aside by the fact that you can now brew one up yourself for a mere $80 -- the cost of the drive. The hack is based on that seemingly-useless HDD swap TheSpecialist unveiled a few months ago, but that was back when 20GB was the max size allowed my Microsoft for use with the 360, meaning a 40GB drive was no more useful than a 20 gigger. Now that 120GB is all legit with the console, you can run through pretty much the same hack -- which involves dumping a few sectors off of an original 360 HDD and onto your new drive -- and get your full 120GB to play with. Currently the hack only works with a certain type of Western Digital hard drive, with hopefully more drives to come and a more automated process, but for now it still shouldn't take an incredible amount of know-how to follow TheSpecialist's instructions and get a bit of leg room for you Marketplace downloads on the cheap.[Via Joystiq]
Black accessories already available
Feeling a little black today? EB Games has come to the rescue by offering a few black Xbox 360 accessories before the Elite makes its grand arrival next week. Right now, you can order a black Xbox 360 wireless controller, play and charge pack, or extra play and charge battery. The black versions all cost the same as their white counterparts and are ready to ship within 24 hours. As we always say, black is the new off white ... or something like that.
Welcome to the Xbox 360 Elite freak show
Man, April 29th isn't going to carry as much excitement as we all thought, because some retailers (ahem, Target) just can't hold onto their products until the street date. Llamma.com got their hands on an Elite 360 at a local Walmart in Minneapolis and instead of selling it on eBay, opted to break her open. They ever so kindly posted comparison shots of the new Elite motherboard versus the old and a few CPU/GPU pictures too. But even after ripping the console open they still couldn't figure out whether or not the Elite is sporting an upgraded 65nm CPU or that archaic 90nm version. Maybe we could help out by borrowing them our super scientific microscope and a mini ruler. It's a thought. Though, they did get the full dish on what brands the DVD drive and hard drive are, so it wasn't a total bust. Make the jump for more pictures (including a Microsoft branded HDMI cable) and behold the wonder that is an Xbox 360 Elite gutted with its innards pulled out. Yes, it is sick and vile, but we like it.[Via Engadget]
Xbox 360 Elite cracked open, guts exposed
When the guys at Llamma got their hands on an Xbox 360 Elite some ten days before the (already broken) street date, they gutted it quicker than Han slicing open a tauntaun. Their first notable discovery: the Hitachi GDR-3120L DVD drive. To be honest, we expected to see the newer (and "super-quiet") BenQ VAD6038 but the guys at Llamma poo-poo our desires claiming, "... there are no flashing utilities available [for the BenQ] at the moment so there is no ability to replace the DVD drive or use this as a parts motherboard." Sure, we were just hoping for a quieter drive though. They continue. Like divorcing Han Solo from his carbonite tomb, the bounty hunters at Llamma pulled the new and improved motherboard from its black shell and proceeded to pore over its silicon surface, documenting every facet and imagining what it would look like in golden bikini. What did they discover here? First, what appears to be a quick-n-dirty fix for the RROD: some epoxy around the CPU and GPU. The big question: while both chips are different revisions from the current models, they can't be certain if this indicates a die-shrink to the 65nm promised land though they state there's a "good possibility" it does. Remember, Microsoft's Albert Pinello told us the Elite would use the "same components" as the existing Xbox 360 consoles, so we're gonna wait for a definitive answer on this one. [Thanks, l3ftonm3]
Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite gets unboxed and uncased
What once was special has apparently lost its exclusivity, as not only did Target completely ignore the April 29th street date set for the Xbox 360 Elite, but now we're seeing that a Wally World in Minneapolis (among others) has followed suit. As these things always go, an avid gamer with a hand at photography has done the honors of unboxing and uncasing the new updated console, but we've got to give props for going the extra mile and offering up a comparison shot between the new and old motherboards. Additionally, he pointed out that a Hitachi GDR-3120L FK78 DVD drive and Fujitsu MHW2120BH 120GB HDD were the new weapons of choice, and while he couldn't quite determine if Microsoft had snuck a 65-nanometer CPU core in there, we do know that Microsoft has updated the legacy compatibility list for the first time since December, giving you dozens of new titles to drown your sorrows in. Go ahead, indulge yourself.[Thanks, l3ftonm3]
360 Elite trade-in offer further clarified
The Gamestop Xbox 360 trade-in increase we talked about earlier in the week needs further clarification due to the evidence we just received. Kevin, a Gamestop assistant manager, sent us scans of the actual coupon flyers for the Elite trade-in promotion. All the Xbox 360 trade-in increases that what we reported on earlier ($250 Premium, $200 Core, $50 Xbox) are correct, but the promotional dates and how the program works is a little different than what we were told. In a memo to Gamestop managers, it clearly states that the Xbox 360 Elite trade-in coupon flyers must be held until April 29th (Elite launch day), when they'll be given out to all Elite purchasers. Then, before May 27th, you can bring in your special coupon from the flyer, old Xbox 360, and the receipt from your Elite purchase to get the increased trade-in values. This will allow you to buy an Elite, take it home, transfer all your data from your old 360, and then go back to Gamestop to trade it in for the increased value.Sorry for the confusion everyone, but it sounds like the managers we talked to either don't read their memos or just don't care what corporate says. We can't argue with flyer scans from Kevin. Xbox 360 Elite flyer proof posted after the break.
Xbox 360 Elite hits the market early, Target to thank
Waiting around another week or so for Microsoft's Xbox 360 Elite to hit the market didn't seem all that painful from here, but to those looking to get their sweaty palms around the sleek, HDMI-enabled rig on the double, you can apparently fulfill your fantasy right now. Unsurprisingly surfacing on none other than eBay, the world's first Xbox 360 Elite bundle to leave Target's doors in a customer's hands has arrived, and if the small bevy of photos and actual receipt aren't enough to arraign some careless bullseye-sporting employee, we don't know what is. Of course, if you're still unwilling to shell out the above-MSRP asking price, you can always patiently place a pre-order, enjoy the hands-on photos, and envision yourself in the place of those Microsoft drones playing with it on video.[Via Joystiq]
Xbox 360 Elite hits eBay, Target oblivious to street date
If the thought of waiting for the 120GB, HDMI-enabled Xbox 360 Elite to arrive in stores proves unbearable to you, consider how quickly time flies when you're spending money. Cast your view on this third SKU, now available on eBay, seemingly thanks to Target's inability to honor the April 29th street date. The eBay seller (and possible Subaru Impreza driver) has kicked off the bid at an amusing $600 and promises to ship the black box "IMMEDIATELY." IMMEDIATELY after the auction ends next week on 23 April, that is.Even if bidding remains lethargic, you'll be paying at least $100 extra to receive the Xbox 360 Meh-lite less than a week before launch. Sounds like a dubious deal on top of another dubious deal. Best try your luck at a local Target if you're the supremely impatient type.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy, thanks brodiemash]
Target breaking Elite street date, now on eBay
It seems like the game industry just isn't as solid as it once was. Games are discovered long before they are officially announced and street dates are broken left and right. Case in point: if the photo above is indeed genuine, it looks like Target has broken the street date on the Xbox 360 Elite. Not only has the street date been broken, but it has been broken by more than a week. Way to go, Target! The picture even includes a receipt, which we have magnified so that the $479.99 price is clearly visible. Granted, it could be a display box and some Photoshop trickery, but it looks awfully legit to us.What's more, it appears that the owner of the Elite is selling it on eBay. The listing even has images of the serial number. The opening bid is $600. Of course, if Target is routinely breaking the street date, you could pick one up for a lot less.Anyone else out there manage to snag an Elite from Target (or elsewhere)? We're assuming you aren't planning on winning one. Hit the "read" link for a larger photo.[Via Digg. Thanks, brodiemash]
Gamestop ups Xbox 360 trade-in value just in time for Elite
The precocious lads at Xbox 360 Fanboy have confirmed with multiple Gamestop managers that the trade-in value for both SKUs of Microsoft's console has increased. You will now receive $250 for Premium, $200 for Core (about 67% its original value) and $50 for the original Xbox.Obviously, the financial upgrade coincides with the impending US release of the $479.99 Elite model on April 29. Trading in an Xbox 360 Premium and picking up an Elite will leave you with a net cost of $230. Being that the 120GB HDD costs $180 separately, you're paying an additional $50 for the black paint job, HDMI output, and HDMI cable. But will we get a chance to transfer our save files in-store? Doubtful. (You can still play full titles, if you re-download them, via your Gamertag without having to pay again.)The Gamestop managers said that the money does not have to go toward the Elite. So whether you plan on upgrading or looking to bid farewell to the console altogether, now is likely the best time to go the Gamestop route.
Confirmed: 360 trade-in value increased [update 2]
Over the past few days there has been a few rumors hitting the web about potential Xbox 360 trade-in prices increasing over at EB Games and Gamestop for the launch of the Elite. Well, we got in touch with a few Gamestop managers and it's true. The promotion started today and dramatically increases the trade-in value for original Xboxes, Xbox 360 Cores, and Xbox 360 Premiums. If you trade in a Premium 360 they'll give you $250 in-store credit, $200 in-store credit for a 360 Core, and $50 for an original Xbox. These trade-in price have increased pretty dramatically, because last week Gamestop was only paying $190 for an Xbox 360 Premium, now upped by $60. Both Gamestop managers also said that the new trade-in credit does not have to go towards an Xbox 360 Elite, but what other reason would you have for selling your 360? There you have it all wrapped up and confirmed. More trade-in cash for your old Xbox 360 to buy yourself a black Elite if you so choose.Update 1: We're thinking there may be a little confusion in Gamestop's head. We just got word from Kevin (who works at Gamestop) that the trade-in program uses coupons that are not valid until April 29th. Kevin says that the only way to increase the trade-in value is to use these coupons and the only way to get these coupons is to buy an Elite. So, according to him, you need to buy an Elite to get the increased trade in value. But, we double checked with our local Gamestop managers and they still are saying we could come in today and they'll pay us $250 for a Premium 360. Maybe all the stores just aren't on the same page ... silly Gamestop.Update 2: Even more details have emerged.
Elite to see a European release in November?
The US release for the Xbox 360 Elite is rock solid, but Microsoft is still extremely vague on release details for other parts of the world. And so comes word from Xboxer that they've confirmed with a publisher, magazine, and peripheral manufacturer that Europe will not be seeing any Elites until November. As always, this news isn't coming directly from Microsoft and so you should treat it accordingly. But, as it looks now, Europe doesn't really have a choice when it comes to getting the black beast until later this Fall. Sticking to the Premium will just have to do for now, but maybe that's not so bad after all.
Video walkthrough of Xbox 360 Spring Dashboard update
You know how it goes: pictures are fabulous, but videos are probably the next best thing to handling it yourself. In this case, a video walkthrough is about as close as you're going to get to May 7th whilst still chillin' in April, and considering you already know just about everything you can ever desire about the impending update and QWERTY thumboard, why not relearn it all again care of an "official" on-screen walkthrough? You know you can't resist, so be sure to hit the read link and pull up a chair, because you're going to get tired of standing after 25 or so minutes.[Thanks, Buck]
