I remember seeing something on Gizmodo with pictues of the disc trays, and that was how you could distinguish. Does anybody know which is which, or have a link to the site?

not sure if this is what your looking for but the silver disc tray is from the premium package and a white tray is from a core package.

If you haven't gotten any red lights then you have a working console.

In all seriousness, if you have a launch day console, and your disk tray has a small hole (not the large disk hole, but a smaller dimeish sized hole) then you have a hitachi disk drive. If you don't, then I believe you have a samsung disk drive.

I will have to check mine out now...

If you don't have the new BenQ drive, it should sound like it's about to go off an aircraft carrier after you start a game.

This is probably what you're looking for:

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/02/14/poll-which-dvd-drive-is-inside-your-xbox-360/

Damn Hitatchi-LG. I just bought mine and still didn't get a newer version. Oh well.

Damn Hitatchi-LG. I just bought mine and still didn't get a newer version. Oh well.
I would assume there are still many older one's out there that retailers want to move first.

I would assume there are still many older one's out there that retailers want to move first.

I get that, luck of the draw I guess. In six months it's likely that nearly every Xbox 360 sold will be equipped with the new drive though. I guess I couldn't wait that long.

If mine dies later down the road it is good to know there is a newer, better alternative... :)