Xbox Price Drops to $200

ProfBooty writes: "Just two days after rival Sony Corp. cut prices on the PlayStation 2, Microsoft has announced they are cutting Xbox pricing by 33% to $200. Nintendo still has no plans to cut pricing on the Gamecube. Now is definitely a good time to be a gamer with all 3 next-gen systems at $200. Too bad i just bought a Playstation 2 yesterday." I'd like to know if anyone has succeeded in porting a Free operating system to the Xbox.

Re:Cost Question

[scott1853]

I can't remember what site I read it on, but it sounds like Sony can now make a profit on their boxes due to better manufacturing processes.

Re:Cost Question

[deft]

at the initial retail price of $299, Microsoft has been losing anywhere between $76 and $105 on every Xbox sold.

thus, they are now loosing from $176 to $205 bucks each box!

Nintendo and Toys'R'Us

[FortKnox]

Quick FYI - Toys 'r' us is giving the consumer back their $100 if they bought an XBox (or PS2) within 30 days of the price drop.

Also, when do you expect Nintendo to drop their prices? If the N-Cube was $100-$150, I'd pick one up in a heartbeat...

Re:Cost Question

[Mr. Sketch]

From a Nov 15, 2001 news.com.com [com.com] article:
Microsoft is set to launch the Xbox on Nov. 15 at a retail price of $299. Estimates of Microsoft's cost to build each unit have ranged from $320 to $400. Microsoft representatives would not comment on manufacturing costs.

I'm sure now they've been able to reduce their production costs but are probably still taking a loss after the price cut. But with $43 billion in cash reserves, it's not that significant.

XBox Hacked (and Linux)

[nherc]

I submitted this info days ago... but there are at least 3 mod chip makers who have just released chips to open up the xbox. The mod chips allow unsigned code to run off of any media dvd-r,dvd-rw,cd-r,cd-rw.

More xbox mod chip info. [copyxbox.com]

This will (very) soon lead to a xbox linux distro.

Re:Free OSes on the X Box

[randomErr]

XBOX uses a modified Win2000 kernal. The executables are encrypted. The BIOS is specfically work only with the XBOX kernal.

There are a couple of projects out there to resocket new BIOS chip but nothing finalized.

Most of the RD is focusing on how to make the executable with the XBOX os. The reason why is because the XBOX OS is stablest of the Windows line and is already optimized for the hardware.

Still, it would be fun to see how an XBOX Linux compares to the current Sony Linux.

Re:Xbox Linux

[Bob9113]

I pulled the trigger on the submit too quick - here's some more good info:
Quick overview of an ideal use for the machine. [osopinion.com]

Only $199 a pop and every unit I buy costs Microsoft money? Most excellant! How long till they begin firing volleys of lawyers at The Xbox Linux Project? Any bets on which 4 letter law starting with "DM" and ending with "CA" they'll invoke?

Re:Cost Question

[nat5an]

It was in Wired when the XBOX was the cover story I believe. I believe his quote was "I don't want to be in the razor business if I can't get in on the blades." Or something.

The story is here http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.11/flex.html? pg=1 [wired.com]. It also discusses how much Microsoft was initially losing on the boxes ($100 - $110 I believe).

Re:Cost Question

[Anonymous Coward]

Losing money? Maybe if you look at just the Xbox itself. But the console is not where the money is. They'll make it all back in the games.

Look at what companies did with cellphones. Sure, you get the phone for free, but you need to pay us $20/month to use it.

Re:Losing money never hurt Bill

[IronTek]

I think you're wrong. First, to keep my cred, I don't like Microsoft and I'm a Linux user. However, I hate ignorant people that spout of incorrect assumptions without thought of what they're speaking of even more than I hate Microsoft.

Microsoft Bob: While it was a horrible failure as a product, it did teach Microsoft much about human computer interaction, what their customers want, and how to market products better. End the end, it was probably a pretty cheap "failure."

Internet Explorer: Probably saved Microsoft's ass. Had they not given it away, and made the user not have a choice whether or not to have it, they could have lost ground on the desktop as well as on the internet. They would not be the company they are today if it weren't for a free IE. Further, IE is not under danger of an implosion. It's not that horrible of a browser...while I prefer Mozilla, IE does feature stability in key areas that I wish Mozillla would (and it will...eventually)

Ultimate TV: This was a premature release and not well thought out, no doubt...but it will pave the way for their takeover of the home entertainment center when the XBox 2 (or whatever) combines the XBox with UltimateTV. The product itself may be a failure, but the next incarnation of the XBox would not have been/will not be possible without the work done on Ultimate TV

Mac Support: Not only have they made money on the Mac (what have you been smoking), but they're the largest seller of applications to Mac users! Further, at least up until the last version of Office for the Mac, programs like Excel and Word used the same core as the PC version, so the development costs consisted of wraping up the engines that drive the programs to work with the Mac.

Now shutup, go get a helmet, and hope that other companies out there can keep them in check.

Er, no, they don't.

[oGMo]

Again, please read what The Gord writes [actsofgord.com]. Sony and Nintendo do not lose money on every sale, and it is not very common in the console business. Please get your facts straight before posting.

(There is an update to that page, too, from someone at Nintendo citing that early sales did have a small loss, but that it was indeed not a common practice.)

PS2 Linux Kit dut to ship on 5/22/02

[DeadBugs]

The PS2 Linux Kit [playstation.com] is coming out next week. For $199.00 you get:

Linux for PlayStation 2 version 1.0 software

Monitor Cable Adaptor

Internal 40GB Hard Disc Drive Network Adaptor

Ethernet 10/100 Base-T

USB Keyboard & USB Mouse

XBox security is tough

[Animats]

The XBox's firmware is in a 1MB mask-programmed ROM. It can't be changed without replacing it physically.

Physical replacement of the firmware chip is possible [xtender.info], but requires soldering 29 wires.

See a summary of XBox vulnerabilities here. [h07.org]

Join the Evil Empire here [microsoft.com] and make security even tighter.

It's worth understanding how the XBox locks out non-Microsoft approved software. We might see a lockdown like that in mainstream PCs someday. The MPAA and the RIAA would like that.

Re:Some Console Thoughts

[TuxLuvr]

This is pretty damn funny; too bad it's stolen from planet gamecube! [ezboard.com]

Earth to perl god: some of us read game sites, too.

Canadian Prices

[ChronoZ]

For those in Canada, Future Shop [futureshop.ca] sells systems as follows:

GameCube: $299
Playstation2: $299
XBox: $299

Now's a good time for buying a system..

Re:The new Metroid had better be good.....

[Anonymous Coward]

First of all, the total console game market (in dollars) for the world last year was about half that of the handheld market, which Nintendo owns about 95%. The Gameboy is Nintendo's biggest money maker, and can support them for a long time.

Second, Nintendo generates more money per software title sold for it's systems because of the fact that Nintendo itself is the biggest developer of titles for it's systems. The ether develop them in house, or out source it, but don't have to pay licensing fees to anybody because they already own the characters. Also, Nintendo has the most recognized stable of characters and IP to develop from. Mario, Pokemon, Metroid, Zelda are all huge cash makers, and with the return of Final Fantasy to Nintendo products, it takes away one of Sonys preimer license.

Side note: the Pokemon franchise, between movies, game carts, and licensed merc (tshirts, toys, etc.) made almost as much money than the entire console industry last year.

Right now at $199, Nintendo is not selling the GC at a loss, unlike the XBox.When the system first came out, there was a slight ($20 max/console) loss while they optimised production and got significant chip yields from the manufactures. There is speculation that at this point, Nintendo could sell for as low as $150 with a profit. The XBox on the other hand, is still selling at a loss, and not selling very well. According to Electronics Boutique, the GC has been outselling the PS2 and the XBox for the last couple months, especially since the release or Resident Evil, and with the release of Metroid, Zelda, Mario and StarFox on the horrizion, that trend might just continue.

Oh, and did I mention all the Sega games comming out for the GC (Phantasy Star Online 1 & 2 and the complete Sega Sports line up anyone?). Nintendo is doing far getter than anyone gives them credit for.

Rebates

[Sasquatch666]

My girlfriend just bought a PS2 about a week ago from Circuit City and was able to get a hefty rebate back. CC's policy is if you can find it cheaper 30 days after you buy it, they'll refund the difference + 10%. Since the price dropped by $100, she got $110 in cash back from the store. Not a bad deal :-)

Re:Free OSes on the X Box - one more link..

[DeionXxX]

I discovered this link on Xbox-Scene.com... They've got a roadmap and such. They're looking for Xbox programmers.. who are familiar with FATX right now.

Anyway... here's the link [h07.org].

-- D3X