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"Quit being a hater. . . this system ROCKS!" on by jimmcnab
Pros: THE most amazing graphics and games available to date. Period!
Cons: Loud exhaust fan, huge power supply, no HD DVD, currently only a 20 gig hard drive
Summary: I was hesitant about buying an Xbox 360 due to all the blogging about units with troubles, red rings of death, freezing, overheating, and so on. However, after playing one at a kiosk in a local store, I couldn't resist the urge. I also took into account that, before purchasing, I'd seen several display kiosks that had been up and running for at least 12 hours a day every day since launch and none of them had any troubles.
The games are incredible and will only get better as game designers push the envelope with the dual core technology contained in the console. The games that are out now are the best I've ever seen so the thought that they can and will get better makes me dizzy with excitement!
The interface on the system is very intuitive and easy to learn. I'd say you're looking at about a ten minute learning curve for that. The wireless controls are perfect.
I've owned two systems now for about a month and both have been working flawlessly from the day they were first plugged in. Not a single problem. The exhaust fans run a bit loud but you get used to it quickly. In fact, you really don't attend to it at all during game play. The power supply is also literally a brick. It is huge, but that's the tradeoff for making it an external component and keeping the console itself sleek and slender. As long as you make sure the console and power supply are unobstructed and ventilated, they shouldn't overheat or get too hot. My systems don't run any hotter than any other electrical equipment (like a DVD player, etc.).
I'm continually impressed with the features of this system. This is perhaps the neatest piece of technology I've ever purchased and I absolutely LOVE my Xbox 360. I never owned an Xbox before, but I'm a HUGE fan now. -
"Microsoft burns piles of money, we benefit" on by primesolution47
Pros: XBOX: Not just a gaming system anymore
Cons: My read of the field = Price point disadvantage
Summary: Sony's ps3 has been brewing for some time now, ever since 2001 when the cell processor began development. In 2002 sony invested a billion dollars in its own chip fabrication facility in order to cut costs. Though the modern cell processor is a joint venture between sony, ibm, and toshiba, they will be produced royalty-free by sony in their chip fabrication facilities. On top of this, sony owns the blu-ray format rights, so drive can be included without any third party costs. This works out great for sony in the long run, too, because the popularity of ps3 will undoubtedly force the home entertainment and computer industries to warm up to the hd-dvd movie/ pc formats, and they'll make a bundle in licensing. Sales of sony brand hdtvs, especially those with the 1080p output standard will surely take off, too.
Why does this put microsoft at a disadvantage? They have to pay a premium for the 3.2ghz ibm-owned powerpc cores. Additionally, I can't see anything about the system that would make it the kind of cash cow that ps3 will do with the hd-dvd/blu-ray format. I could see sales of windows xp media center edition 2005 taking off due to the integrated media center extender, and maybe a few metrosexuals getting some face plate upgrades, but that's about it.
Remember, last time xbox came out after the playstation(2). Now with it's first-out-of-the-gate approach, they're cutting precious months off a time when they're selling xbox for (what I can only assume is) as close to their production cost as its ever been. The announcement that xbox360 will be backwards-compatible can't be helping them in this area, either (no new customers till november).
When the first xbox was about to be released, there were rumors that it would cost about $500 (at the time it was considered a $1000 gaming machine.) In actuality, microsoft's plan was to release it for $389 and after the early adopters were all tapped out, they would lower the price gradually to $299, $249, $199, $149 etc. When the late decision came down that the console would be priced at $299 (for better competition with sony) this put microsoft into an impossible position where gamers would have to buy 15 or so (non-microsoft) games before they made up the hardware losses. Though it's not clear exactly how much MS lost on hardware, it’s been estimated that at launch it cost MS around $360 (apart from advertising/development costs) and when ps2 was released sony was losing $190 per unit at launch.
With these new consoles rightly being trumpeted as two-to-three-thousand-dollar pc equivalents, they're going to be ridiculously expensive or the hardware losses will be enormous! Since I have no doubt that the xbox360 will debut at $399, this translates into expensive games, peripherals, and services. I love my xbox and I’m pretty ok with microsoft as a whole, too, but it seems like they’re at a tremendous disadvantage here. If anyone has any insight/corrections/contradictions to this, I welcome them, as long as you’re not a 14 year old saying “YA XB0X SUCCCKS!"
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"Just took a dump, SYSTEM ERROR E74" on by porcha42
Pros: Great Games and Graphics
Cons: Noise, heat and Lockups
Summary: Imagine this, premium package is $400, so so games $49-$59, extra controller $49, depending on how many games you have, you can eassiiilly rack up $800. The warranty for this console is 90 days. My system took a dump, tried to turn it on and gave me error E74. Microsoft tech says they will fix the issue, it is a hardware failure. In the meantime, I am out a game console for at least a week. I asked them if this had happened on the 91st day, is it covered... NOOOO!! This has been happening to a lot of 360s. That means on the 91st day, you have $800 - $1000 white paper weight, marked XBOX 360. YOU BE THE JUDGE.
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"Cost me $140 after warranty to get fixed" on by kevinnoland
Pros: Good graphics, Xbox LIVE, Media Center Extender
Cons: Three Red Rings after 15 months
Summary: I loved this system up until two days ago when my near launch, 15 month old system got the three red lights. I am now past the warranty and MS wants $140+shipping to fix it. Microsoft messed up the manufacturing with bad heat sync issues and now I've paid more for an xbox 360 than a PS3 20GB model which has a Blu-Ray player in it.
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"Excellent online gaming, amazing graphics" on by MakoBimmer
Pros: amazing graphics, speedy game-play, "the latest"
Cons: hard drive optional and hard to find! nickeling and diming to death machine.
Summary: Overall I am quite happy with the Xbox360. Unfortunately, I could only snag a CORE system during the Nov.22,2005 release day madness...thus, I did not get a hard drive with my system. The hard drive is ESSENTIAL for game play I am sadly realizing...storing game data, online data, personal music, etc. Microsoft should be ashamed to release a non hardrive model if it really is needed to enjoy an already expensive game machine. Wireless connection is a breeze. The controllers are comfortable. Clean, hi-tech casing.
Microsoft Xbox 360 Pro user reviews (20GB)
Where to Buy
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