i just need a 20 gig. I won't be downloading any demos on the 360, in fact I won't even have it connected to the internet. I will temp hook it up to get any content locked to my id, and hook it up when I want to buy something, but that's it. I am not buying a wireless adapter for it. So that saves me the live membership, and a big hard drive. I will use my ps3 if I want demos or such. I don't have a router close so it's kind of a pain to move it every time I want to buy something, but meh, sure beats spending 70 - 80 on a wireless adapter. Unless of course 3rd party ones work now lol. I have a netgear wireless adapter sitting here that I got from newegg for like 8 bucks that I never ended up using at all.

Most of the people that bought an Arcade, like me, are using it as a second unit, they already have a Pro or an Elite, so they really don't need everything.

In my case, I have an Elite in the home theater room, the Arcade is going to the bedroom, I'm just going to use the same hard drive. I don't need anything else.

This makes the most sense to me. If you don't have multiple gamers in your house, HD swapping is the way to go, and I'd use the $100 to get a wireless rig.

I'm doing the same, but I still have my original 20gb drive from before I upgraded to 120gb. I'll slap that on there and keep my profile and my common save games on my MU. Some games will only be played on one or the other console anyway. Rock Band in the living room and Civilization in the bedroom, for example.

This is my first 360. I already have the required component cable for HD since I have a multi-console connection unit for my PS3 and my gaming LCD has no HDMI. My cousin gave me his old 20gb drive and headset for free. I already have rechargeable batteries and a charger, so no play & charge kit required.

Total out-of-pocket for a full-functioning XBox 360 (after using the gift card for groceries this week) - $100 +14 tax

Actually you spent $200 + 14.

You got $300 worth of merchandise for $200, not $200 for $100.

If you figure that he would have bought the $100 worth of groceries whether he bought the 360 or not, then it is $100 + $14.

I found two arcades today. Purchased them both for coworkers. There was a sign on the case advertising the $100 gift card and that it runs through 11/15.

That's what I'm saying... I was thinking that if i bought this then I wouldn't have any money left from my check for food for the week, then I thought, well shit. I will have a 100 dollar card to use for food at walmart lol.

What? I thought it was a Saturday only sale. Those bastards.

Stopped by yesterday morning and they had arcades in stock with the sign. If I hadn't just dropped $400 on a COD:MW2 250 gb unit, I would've picked one up just for the thrill of finding the sale.

You right about the thrill, they weren't even for me and I was getting a rush...which is sad.