So I went to BB tonight to exchange out my broken XBOX elite. Well they didn't have any in stock. In fact I did a search and the 15 stores within 100 miles of my home are all sold out. They don't even have stock of Core or Premium systems either. So I asked a couple of supervisor's and they stated that they were not getting any more stock of the Elite's. I did read somewhere that Microsoft was trying to sell off their remaining stock to get ready for the Falcon 65nm systems in the fall. Do you think there is any truth to this? I can still however purchase an Elite or Premium through BB online. I have a gift card so I am forced to by from BB regardless.

Probable. I would assume the falcons are ready to go at this point if this is what you're seeing in stores. If that's the case, it makes the price drop almost a guarantee and the new 360's should be quite a bit more reliable.

I've been looking for an elite at the bb/cc's in the Houston area of a couple months now--nothing.

I'd bet that your assumptions are correct.

Probable. I would assume the falcons are ready to go at this point if this is what you're seeing in stores. If that's the case, it makes the price drop almost a guarantee and the new 360's should be quite a bit more reliable.

At first I didn't think a $50 price drop would be that big of a deal but maybe that's why no BB's have stock. Maybe they are going to get a huge stock a few days before the price drop? Maybe the Falcon's are ready to go? Either way I am just going to wait until the 8th. I would like to get another Elite but may just settle on the Premium. I never used the bigger hard drive and really don't need HDMI (although it was nice using another HDMI connection on my new Pioneer Plasma :)).

I've been looking for an elite at the bb/cc's in the Houston area of a couple months now--nothing.

I'd bet that your assumptions are correct.


I saw a small amount of Elite's at a store in Dallas, Texas but they were gone within a few days. BB actually gave me a refund as they stated they were not getting anymore stock on the Elite systems. So I guess I will have to re-buy another warranty if they do indeed carry stock (grrrrr.....I probably should of just kept the broken system until after the 8th to make sure and use my old warranty). Well at least the price is supposed to be $30 bucks cheaper on the Elite which will offset the warranty price a little bit.

At first I didn't think a $50 price drop would be that big of a deal but maybe that's why no BB's have stock. Maybe they are going to get a huge stock a few days before the price drop? Maybe the Falcon's are ready to go? Either way I am just going to wait until the 8th. I would like to get another Elite but may just settle on the Premium. I never used the bigger hard drive and really don't need HDMI (although it was nice using another HDMI connection on my new Pioneer Plasma :)).


FYI - the new falcon motherboards supposedly now all have HDMI across all SKUs (core, premium and elite). Unless you really need to larger hard drive, the falcon premium is also expected to have an HDMI port. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

now i remember why I bought that 2 year replacement plan when i got my elite on launch day.

Yeah I heard something like they planned to release the consoles with the new chips around the Halo 3 launch.

now i remember why I bought that 2 year replacement plan when i got my elite on launch day.

As do I amigo. ;)

Damn, this is the 1st ive heard of "Falcon" When did this name pop up? I knew the 65nm chips were coming but is this what they are called? Is MS coming out with a NEW sku again?

FYI - the new falcon motherboards supposedly now all have HDMI across all SKUs (core, premium and elite). Unless you really need to larger hard drive, the falcon premium is also expected to have an HDMI port. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Now that would be great if true. I liked the elite and the larger hard drive but unless you download movies from live's pay per view, there really isn't a need for it (unless you download a ton of demos and just keep them stored :)).

I live in a fairly small town, and even my local Best Buy has a pyramid shaped display of core's, premiums, and elite's in the middle of the store. It was only a couple of weeks ago that they didn't have any elite's or premiums, only two core's. I'm in there pretty regularly, and there has never been much in stock in the way of 360 consoles. Now, we have the big display with plenty of all three for sale. They also have a lot of signs to generate interest and clearance items on a big table in the middle of the store for the 360. Very unusual for that store.

Damn, this is the 1st ive heard of "Falcon" When did this name pop up? I knew the 65nm chips were coming but is this what they are called? Is MS coming out with a NEW sku again?

Nope. Just new mobos in the same three SKU's.
Falcon is just the code name for the prototype 65nm motherboards.
As for them being phased in, well, don't look now; but its august already.
And the 65nm mobos were always expected in the early fall (aka, Labor day) timeframe.

So...whether its true or not that BB is clearing out the 90nm stock, odds are, the 65nm boxes are coming by Halo day. Not exactly a shocker.

Now that would be great if true. I liked the elite and the larger hard drive but unless you download movies from live's pay per view, there really isn't a need for it (unless you download a ton of demos and just keep them stored :)).

I like the black controller a lot more. the D-pad is a bit more responsive, and the bottom gray plastic that meets the black is smoother (as opposed to the white one)

Now that would be great if true. I liked the elite and the larger hard drive but unless you download movies from live's pay per view, there really isn't a need for it (unless you download a ton of demos and just keep them stored :)).I wonder, though, if the HDMI and larger hard drive might be integral to the upcoming IPTV service (say, to function as a DVR)? Just theorizing.

I checked the stock checker on the best buy website for a few zip codes of where I lived and none are in stock for the core or premium. But the website has them in stock.

I checked the stock checker on the best buy website for a few zip codes of where I lived and none are in stock for the core or premium. But the website has them in stock.
Personally, I've had several occasions when the stock checker didn't match up with what's actually in the store. Circuit City's seems to be more accurate in that regard....from my experiences, anyway.