New Version of Xbox 360 Looking More Likely

Engadget is just one of a number of sites running 'confirmations' of a new iteration of the Xbox 360 hardware. The new black-coloured console is said to include an HDMI port and a larger hard disk drive (120 gigs). While the code-name Zephyr has been bandied about online for quite some time now, Engadget is saying it will be released under the name 'Elite'. Initially to be sold as a third SKU (alongside the Core and Premium packs), when the initial black run sells out the hardware in the Elite will take the place of the Premium sku. An HD-DVD drive will not be incorporated into the unit. All this should be taken with a grain of salt, as the entire thing stems from 'sources' and a supposed article in the upcoming issue of Game Informer magazine; Microsoft has not yet confirmed anything.

Official Annoucement

[Applekid]

Perhaps Microsoft thinks that people who would buy the Premium model now wouldn't if they knew a "Super Premium" model is coming out soon. If they assume rightly, then sales of 360 would dip. If their caution is warranted, the dip in sales would be a large enough number to make the 360 look less strong from a userbase perspective.

So if they were going to release this, they wouldn't announce it until very close to when available. If they weren't going to, they wouldn't say they're releasing it either.

We're not making it, and, if we were, we wouldn't tell you early.

Sounds like a good time to

[Broken scope]

dump the core and lower the price of the premium 50 bucks.

No HD-DVD?

[bym051d]

Why not build it in for the elite version? Now, you not only have to worry about adding a drive on, but you have to search to get on that's the same color.

Pointless without HD-DVD.

[ravyne]

Honeslty, I've been waiting for an HDMI 360 with built-in HD-DVD drive. The latter doesn't seem to be the case though; but I'd buy a second 360, the elite, if it had and keep the "old" model in my room next to the PC to test my XNA projects. I'd love to have the HD-DVD functionality in my living room, but the add-on drive, like all add-ons, is clunky and ugly.

Without built-in HD-DVD its worthless to me.

For about a hundred bucks I can pick up a 120gig drive and a copy of Norton Ghost, clone my data over to the new drive and slap it into the 360 (yes, this actually works.) For a few bucks more I can pick up any color of RIT vinyl/plastics dye in any color I want - just waiting on my warranty to expire before I crack it open to dye it, and While I'm at it I can swap out the LEDs for some nice blue ones.

Re:Elite?

[SNR monkey]

If they name the Premium system the "Elite", it only makes sense that they rename the Core system as "Spartan".

Re:Quick thoughts...

[p0tat03]

Except I'm still on my first console, as is every Xbox 360 owner I know. Anecdotal evidence and loudly complaining bloggers do not statistics make.

How much lower?

[SuperKendall]

The huge advantage Microsoft has over Sony is that they can price their systems $200 lower

Except that they are really only charging $30 lower with this Elite model compared to the base PS3.

And the online match play is free with the PS3.

How was that a huge advantage again?

Re:Quick thoughts...

[Wind_Walker]

Same here, bought it Octoberish of last year. Standing it up on its end inside an enclosed TV stand caused me some issues, but once I ditched the VCR and got the 360 horizontal and out in the open where air could circulate it's not given me a problem since.

I often wonder if those who go through 7-8 X360s are doing something wrong, like having bad ventilation or balanced on top of something.