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XBOX 360 - cheapest option

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XBOX 360 - cheapest option

Old 03-13-08, 09:08 AM
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XBOX 360 - cheapest option

After telling myself I'd never get a Microsoft gaming console, I'm at my wit's end.

1) I love Halo 3 on Live.
2) I need Rock Band. Badly.

I own a Wii, but I'm dying to get my rock band on, and who knows how long until they ever release it on Wii, plus with no DLC, I'll miss out on some great songs.

I'm cheap (really cheap), but think I need to take the plunge.

I'd prefer to go new, but looking at the exchange forum, I've seen used ones shipped for $250 recently. That's a lot better than the $350 new price that's been staring at me. Plus the $100 wireless router I'd have to buy.

Would the exchange forum be my cheapest option? Obviously I don't want to buy 1 with the RCOD, but warranty from Microsoft should protect me there, right?
Old 03-13-08, 09:53 AM
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Your best bet is to just buy yourself a new one man. Get used if you want, but new is always the way to go. If your going to want to buy rock band and all that then you're going to need a hard drive so don't go to cheap and buy just a core or anything like that. Get the premium deal and enjoy. There are a lot of good deals with the new xbox's that have like four or five games included right off that bat. That is a really good deal.
Old 03-13-08, 09:58 AM
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Don't get the Arcade bundle (cheapest) since it only comes with a 256MB memory card. You'll only get about 8 songs on there, not to mention the room your Halo saves will take.

Get the Pro pack for $350 with the 20gb hdd. Elite for $100 more is probably overkill unless you just need a black facade.

You shouldn't "need" a wireless router. Could you go into more detail with what sort of network you do have, if you need advice on getting the thing online, that is.
Old 03-13-08, 10:01 AM
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I don't ever buy warranties. Ever. But the 360 is different.

I would not recommend a used 360 under any circumstances. Buy a new one and get a big fat warranty on it. Try to find the newer models with the more reliable chips, etc. Some folks here can probably advise on that.

Target's 3 yr warranty is like $29. I went that route when I got mine last year.
Old 03-13-08, 10:02 AM
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$100 router? Why would it be that much? My $35 on sale Netgear works just fine. Aren't all consoles warantied for 3 years for RROD now through MS?
Old 03-13-08, 10:06 AM
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The network adapter for the xbox is 99$. It is ridiculous, but there are ways to get around having to use the network adapter. Just search for it. I believe you may need to be a little tech-savy though because some of it is a bit confusing on how it works and how to trouble shoot if not using the plain plug and play adapter from MS.
Old 03-13-08, 10:11 AM
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You are right. Sorry i forgot you need the MS wireless adapter. I was thinking about the router.
Old 03-13-08, 10:23 AM
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There is always the option of putting the modem/router in your game setup(hardwire the 360) and getting a cheap wireless PC card for your computer.
Old 03-13-08, 10:36 AM
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Definitely get a three year warranty. There are more ways for a 360 to die than just RROD. Trust me on that one.
Old 03-13-08, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by RVP
You are right. Sorry i forgot you need the MS wireless adapter. I was thinking about the router.
You don't have to use the one from Microsoft. Any USB wireless adapter will work.
Old 03-13-08, 11:15 AM
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I'll go against the grain and say you might be alright buying a used one. I know that if the original owner buys the extended warranty from Microsoft, it transfers to the new owner if the console is sold. The original owner just has to send in a letter asking it to be changed over. I'm not sure if that applies to the regular warranty as well or not. You could probably find out with a little poking around on Microsoft's website. There's nothing wrong with getting a used one, just make 100% sure you're getting a warranty with it.
Old 03-13-08, 11:25 AM
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Consider Costco as well.

Slightly cheaper, although it is a bundle w/ a game and extra controller, which you probably want anyway.

But the big thing is free lifetime warranty and price protection.
Old 03-13-08, 11:34 AM
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You can get a pair of WDS bridging enabled routers for pretty cheap. 3+ years ago I paid -$15 and $30 AR for my Belkins. I finally flip-flopped the setup as suggested - the PC is the one on wireless now. I'm using a $20 Buffalo router to provide wireless for the PC(s) and the Belkin is the hardwired router with the 360/PS3/etc hooked into it. Many wireless G routers now support bridging. It's really not that tough to get going.

Last edited by GreenMonkey; 03-13-08 at 11:37 AM.
Old 03-13-08, 11:40 AM
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FYI, if you buy used, you may risk getting an older system that doesn't have the HDMI port (if that's important to you). Also, there's rumors that the Premium model hard drive may get a bump to 60GB in the next few months.

Why the 360 isn't wireless-capable out of the box is a mystery to me. Especially when you consider both the PS3 and Wii have that ability.
Old 03-13-08, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by spankyj
I'd prefer to go new, but looking at the exchange forum, I've seen used ones shipped for $250 recently. That's a lot better than the $350 new price that's been staring at me.
You're probably already aware of this. But recently Microsoft announced a price drop in Europe. That's led many to speculate on an upcoming US price drop. Of course, it may not happen for a couple months. But if you're willing to wait, you could possibly get a new system for the current price of a used one.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=33977
Old 03-13-08, 12:32 PM
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There is no "cheap" option for being a 360 owner. Just the way it is.
Old 03-13-08, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Trevor
Consider Costco as well.

But the big thing is free lifetime warranty and price protection.
Are you sure that game consoles don't fall within the scope of Costco's revised 90 day return policy for most electronics?
Old 03-13-08, 01:01 PM
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PRO pack is the best bet, the elite is good but you dont want to spend too much
Old 03-13-08, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by clappj
Are you sure that game consoles don't fall within the scope of Costco's revised 90 day return policy for most electronics?
Positive.
Old 03-13-08, 01:10 PM
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If you want to go really cheap, buy a broken / non-working 360 and then send it in to Microsoft or fix it yourself (if you're tech-oriented). I know a few people that have done that. Seems like a waste of time to save $100 or so, but, eh.
Old 03-13-08, 06:10 PM
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Originally Posted by clappj
Are you sure that game consoles don't fall within the scope of Costco's revised 90 day return policy for most electronics?

I don't think it's 'most' electronics, it's specific things like TVs and computers. Unless they changed it again....?

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