Hmm I wonder what they have planned?
http://www.theage.com.au/news/games/microsoft-stays-mum-on-superdooper-xbox/2007/03/26/1174761330614.html
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Microsoft keeps quiet on Xbox 'elite'
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March 26, 2007 - 11:16AM


Rumours suggest Microsoft will unveil a revamped black Xbox 360 shortly.


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AdvertisementMicrosoft Australia will on Wednesday make a "major announcement" to coincide with the first birthday of the Xbox 360.

While unconfirmed, all signs suggest Microsoft will introduce a revamped "Elite" version of the games console, with new features such as a larger hard disk drive and a built-in HDMI connector.

The announcement, to be made within a week of the Australian debut of the Playstation 3, comes as Microsoft faces the daunting task of keeping the Xbox 360 fresh in the face of renewed competition from Sony and Nintendo.

At the weekend, San Jose Mercury News journalist Dean Takahashi wrote on his blog that "several sources confirmed Microsoft plans to add this box [the Xbox 360 Elite] to its product line".

Takahashi is considered a highly credible source for Xbox-related news, having written two books that take a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of both the original Xbox and the Xbox 360.

He said the Xbox 360 Elite would be black and include both a 120GB hard disk drive and an HDMI connector.

It would "go on sale in limited quantities soon" for $US479 ($595).

It appears the Xbox 360's HD DVD player accessory, which goes on sale on Thursday for $249.95, will not be built into the Elite and continue to be an optional extra.

The current Xbox 360 only offers 20GB of storage space, while the PS3 has a 60GB drive that can be upgraded by the user.

HDMI, present on most big screen plasma and LCD televisions, is the optimal home theatre connection type because it can transmit high-definition video and 8-channel audio signals digitally, using a single cable, without requiring the signal be first converted to analogue.

The PS3 already includes a built-in HDMI connector, but this is not present on the Xbox 360.

Popular technology blog Engadget published similar details to Takahashi, citing "trusted sources".

"The Elite will be limited quantities only; that may be as much or as little as a couple of hundred thousand," Engadget wrote.

"Eventually Elite hardware (in white plastics) will take the role of the Xbox Premium ... after the Elite is launched and sold out, future Xbox Premiums will have 120GB / HDMI."

Brian Crecente, editor of the authoritative gaming blog Kotaku, said: "I suspect that this new model will hit in April, with official word coming as early as next week."

US media are being briefed by Microsoft on Tuesday. The subject of the briefing is unclear, but Engadget editor Ryan Block said he was "fairly sure" it would be the Elite.

A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment on "rumour and speculation", but last week said there would be a "major announcement" made on Wednesday.

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FREE BOOMERANGS XD

He said the Xbox 360 Elite would be black and include both a 120GB hard disk drive and an HDMI connector.

It would "go on sale in limited quantities soon" for $US479 ($595).

It appears the Xbox 360's HD DVD player accessory, which goes on sale on Thursday for $249.95, will not be built into the Elite and continue to be an optional extra.

The current Xbox 360 only offers 20GB of storage space, while the PS3 has a 60GB drive that can be upgraded by the user.

HDMI, present on most big screen plasma and LCD televisions, is the optimal home theatre connection type because it can transmit high-definition video and 8-channel audio signals digitally, using a single cable, without requiring the signal be first converted to analogue.

The PS3 already includes a built-in HDMI connector, but this is not present on the Xbox 360.

Popular technology blog Engadget published similar details to Takahashi, citing "trusted sources".

"The Elite will be limited quantities only; that may be as much or as little as a couple of hundred thousand," Engadget wrote.

"Eventually Elite hardware (in white plastics) will take the role of the Xbox Premium ... after the Elite is launched and sold out, future Xbox Premiums will have 120GB / HDMI."

Brian Crecente, editor of the authoritative gaming blog Kotaku, said: "I suspect that this new model will hit in April, with official word coming as early as next week."

US media are being briefed by Microsoft on Tuesday. The subject of the briefing is unclear, but Engadget editor Ryan Block said he was "fairly sure" it would be the Elite.

A Microsoft spokesman declined to comment on "rumour and speculation", but last week said there would be a "major announcement" made on Wednesday.

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LMAO if that is the actual price ... why would MS spoof on PS3's launch price when they release a system just as expensive ($5 DISCOUNT lol) and not even a blu-ray player? sigh ...

LMAO if that is the actual price ... why would MS spoof on PS3's launch price when they release a system just as expensive ($5 DISCOUNT lol) and not even a blu-ray player? sigh ...

The PS3 retails in Australia for US$805 (A$999.95) so the difference is actually $326 (US) or $405 (A) :eek:

LMAO if that is the actual price ... why would MS spoof on PS3's launch price when they release a system just as expensive ($5 DISCOUNT lol) and not even a blu-ray player? sigh ...

did you notice it's australian dollars, and not US at 595? US = 479.

still, 479 US is not much off of what a Ps3 is

I'd rather buy a 20gig ps3 that won't die on me. Unless these new Elite models do indeed have the 65nm chips and improved mobo's.

I dont doubt revisions this will coincide with their IPTV service...

I could really care less about more space and HDMI...None of the games will instantly turn into 1080p beauties and change the face of every game out their...Their is a miniscule difference between components and HDMI and half of that can be attributed to HDMI carrying audio. The HDD space is a non issue unless you like to get raped by the download service on tv shows..Nobody needs that amount of space for movies when they expire in 24 hours...To top it off 120gigs isnt even enough for HD content so my guess will be it will be used as a DVR when the IPTV launches..Its a moot point that really doesnt affect gamers at all and the aesthetically the black is just flat out ugly.

I dont doubt revisions this will coincide with their IPTV service...

I could really care less about more space and HDMI...None of the games will instantly turn into 1080p beauties and change the face of every game out their...Their is a miniscule difference between components and HDMI and half of that can be attributed to HDMI carrying audio. The HDD space is a non issue unless you like to get raped by the download service on tv shows..Nobody needs that amount of space for movies when they expire in 24 hours...To top it off 120gigs isnt even enough for HD content so my guess will be it will be used as a DVR when the IPTV launches..Its a moot point that really doesnt affect gamers at all and the aesthetically the black is just flat out ugly.
I agree with everything you wrote, it just doesn't make sense or add up to being something worht buying, especially without a HD player for the price of 479

I agree with everything you wrote, it just doesn't make sense or add up to being something worht buying, especially without a HD player for the price of 479


thats the beauty of it.

theres 3 sku's, pick your features and pricepoint.

in mother Russia, xbox plays you!

thats the beauty of it.

theres 3 sku's, pick your features and pricepoint.

in mother Russia, xbox plays you!


Yes unlike the core and the premium with the rumored "elite" it basically does the same thing as the premium...Either phase out the core and make the 20gig premium the new core or add an HD-DVD drive into the $479 price tag to justify the price....

though it would be nice, i dont think so. with a HD drive and double the hard drive space, it couldnt be that cheap, probably closer to 60gb ps3 territory.

400+hddvd+120gb hd != $479

MS isnt and wont ever include an HDDVD drive inside the 360. it's about CHOICE. and i like having that choice.

as for getting rid of the core, they'd have to be insane. MAYBE after a price drop (with 65nm) they could include a hard drive with the core or something, but i dont see it going anywhere, and they'd probably rather drop the price and add console sales than keep the same price point and just add a hard drive. again, it's about choice, some people like to choose their peripherals, some people like a choice, hell i'd be up for a really stripped core, console only with HDMI. then i get to choose my remote, my controllers, my AV cable, my Hard drive, and my HD optical drive (assuming in the future there will be a BD available as well.



say 65nm reduces cost by 50 bucks. they could sell a stripped core for 299 - 50 (65nm reduction) - 30 (wired controller) - 20 (standard AV cable) ETC. You could get a bare core with HDMI for about 199, and choose whatever else you wanted. hell, they could even drop it another 25-50, because they know you HAVE to buy peripherals.

this would be especially great for multi-console households, cause you dont NEED 2 boxes with hard drives, and you probably already have extra controllers, etc.



in theory,

150 bare 360
5 hdmi cable
15 optical adapter (theoretical)
179 120gb
200 HD/BD
50 controller


all for about the same price as a 60gb ps3, with twice the hard drive space. i believe this would put MS in a better position than they are in now, though they arent really in a position to complain :)

also a 150 bare system with a controller or two and a video cable would EASILY compete with the Wii

I just think they are shooting themselves in the foot pricing their machine so close to the ps3 without a next gen dvd player...That will cause some backlash and add fuel to the fire for Sony.

I just think they are shooting themselves in the foot pricing their machine so close to the ps3 without a next gen dvd player...That will cause some backlash and add fuel to the fire for Sony.

yes but they are doing IPTV, which sony doesn't have. that's huge, and really what this particular launch is about.

hddvd in the 360 is a bad move, especially with it being uncertain right now. besides, if they keep it peripheral, and hddvd tanks, they can just make a bluray addon, and bam, they're right there in it.