Microsoft announces the Xbox 360 Elite


by Omar Mar 28, 2007 fileunderFound in Microsoft Xbox 360


Today, Microsoft has formally announced the long-rumoured existence of the Xbox 360 Elite. Set to be released on April 29th, for a price tag of $479. The Elite version of the console introduces a digital HDMI port that does not exist on the Premium or core versions.

The Elite version also ships with a 120GB hard drive out of the box, this is an upgrade to the 20GB hard drive that comes with the Premium version (Core has no hard drive).

A separate 120GB hard drive will be available for purchase on the same day with an MSRP of $179. A data transfer cable will be included with the separate HDD that will move all your downloaded content and saved games to the new hard drive from the old.

The Elite version of the 360 is not a limited edition and is set to become a 3rd option for buyers interested in the Xbox 360 platform.

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7 comments

1.  avatar Erik  Mar 28, 2007 9:14am

What? No HD-DVD? I think this elite version is more of a "fix" to the other versions. MS should've included a larger HD and HDMI first time around.
2.  avatar Omar  Mar 28, 2007 9:25am

it's obvious that the Elite version is targetted towards movie watchers. NAMELY towards people who are into downloading high definition television and movies.

The obvious comparison is to the PS3 20GB. Instead of Blu-Ray you have a 120GB hard drive. The difference being that BR may pontentially have benefits for gaming (though substantially tangible evidence of this is still lacking).

It's obvious that Live Video was more successful than they anticipated, and with 6GB HD movies that creates quite a bit more demand for storage space. And this is A solution. Is it the best one? I don't think so, there are alternatives that I would prefer, but whatever, I understand the financial reasoning behind this.

The price fits is consistent as well.

Premium = Core + 20GB HDD
Elite = Core + 120GB HDD

This may make retail annoyed because now they have to explain ANOTHER SKU, and MAY confuse customers... but Apple has about 10 iPod variations and does just fine.

In fact the console space is one of the only areas where product line diversification has NOT occurred, and is just now occurring with the 360 and PS3.

My prediction: sales will go up as Microsoft now has a decent answer to the market that wants to play Halo 3 and download HD movies. Whereas that market was being underserved before.

This is also why the HD-DVD drive isn't included since they want people to focus on the Video Marketplace for HD downloads.  Actually, it's precisely for this reason that the Elite will most likely not be sold in Canada until the Video Marketplace officially launches here. It's not being released in Europe on the 29th either.

3.  avatar TPLBI  Mar 28, 2007 12:31pm

The biggest feature about this new package is not the bigger hard drive, its the HDMI! As more people buy the latest HDTV's, which support 1080p, they will want to display video from the xbox in 1080p. The only way to do that now is with the analog VGA cable. How many 1080p TV's accept a 1080p VGA signal? Just a few Samsungs and everyone else is out of luck. Since most 1080p TV's accept this resolution through HDMI, this new feature will let anyone with these sets to get 1080p from the xbox (including upscaled DVD playback).
4.  avatar Erik  Mar 28, 2007 12:34pm

Good point, TPLBI. HDMI is the "in" thing. If you want to be considered hi-def, you need to support it.
5.  avatar dialupinternetuser  Mar 28, 2007 5:49pm

If it doesn't come with a HDMI cord, that's another load of bucks ($100?)
6.  avatar Omar  Mar 28, 2007 6:38pm

It comes with both an HDMI cable and a component/composite combo cable.
7.  avatar onyxravine  Apr 04, 2007 5:03pm

yet another console release....too many to keep up with....hooray for PC games!
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