New XBOX to be unveiled at E3
 

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It'll be smaller and look better sitting under your telly... but it'll still do exactly the same thing


A new, smaller-sized Xbox is expected to be unveiled at the E3 show in May.

The new version of the Microsoft's mean machine is likely to be closer in size to a PS2 and will lose the curved surfaces in favour of a flat body.

In terms of the machine's innards, it is not expected to differ to the current model, with the only addition being Xbox Live software being pre-installed.

Microsoft are also expected to unveil the first Halo 2 code at E3 - the biggest gaming show of the year. The event takes place in Los Angeles on 14-16 May.

Will it be any cheaper?

hmm

Great idea.

The current X-box's size and weight are a strike against it for me.

It's too wide to go under the tv with the PS2 and GC, because of the support beam in the middle.

I could cram it in behind the glass doors with the DVD player, CD player etc. But I don't have an empty shelf and it's too heavy to stack on top of something and the beveled top keeps you from staking anything on top of it.

If it's really the size of the PS2 I could just put it under the TV and stack the PS2 on top of it. Only problem would be tangled controller cords, but I can live with that.

If this really comes out, costs $150 or less, and Halo drops to $20 (or is available in a "pick a free game deal") I'd be all over it.

People who have hacked the x-box say it's really a 20Gb drive in there partitioned so you can only see 8GB. My guess is with the smaller on they are going to use a laptop hd. The smaller ones are pretty cheap and will still have enough space on them to hold anything that is needed.

That is intresting, any idea why they would make the drive seem smaller ?

I think it is actually 10GB, and it is either not used or used for loading game information like levels.

Hmmmmmmm... Smaller Version Xbox is better or currently release XBOX is Better ??

Yes.

i think the smaller/flatter one will be better. i used to have the xbox sort of stacked on the ps2 but it was a wonky setup. (now i have them side by side).

also, it will probably be easier to carry around if you travel.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. I'm glad they are shrinking it down. I was hoping for something more the size of the PSone though. :lol:

If it ever gets to the PSOne size it won't be in the near future.

I hate the beveled top. Im glad theyre getting rid of it. Im not buying another but it bodes well for the next gen.

They won't tell the consumer that the new one has a smaller drive, that's now a selling point.

The units out now do have larger drives. This is so you can store many more music on it, have room for loads, have room for downloaded content, etc.

The drives they originally used were probably a little bit larger than they really needed, and they probably got some good PR out of it. People online telling their friends that they are able to rip XX:XX hours of music onto it, etc.

Now that they are trying to update it, make it smaller (and cheaper) it's time for them to cut a few corners.

This is kinda the same thing Sony did with the PS2. When they brought the PS2 stateside, they changed it up the hard drive configuration (to save money) and took the 8meg memory card out of the box; made it an accessory.

They didn't tell the U.S. buyers that they weren't getting the mem card in the box; they just promoted the newer, lower price.

-k
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:lol: isn't it a little bit early to be drinking heavily?

Nope... Im not drunk. Do you think the xboxes really need a 15-20 gig hard drive on them? :D

I'm just talking marketing. We all know that M$ has to get the price of these things down some so they can at least <B><U><I>try</U></B></I> to turn a profit on the units.

-k
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Devil is GooD.

Could just be since the time of the old xbox, the drives have become smaller in size with as much equel space to spare. :p

Nope, go back under your rock.

:lol:

-k
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Hard Drives are cheap, so I'm not sure of cost savings (although any savings means more money in their pocket... and laptops come with much bigger HD's than 8 GB, so size wouldn't be that big of a consideration.

So I'm not sure why a new smaller X-Box would really have an HD with any less space.

People interested in flashing whole games down to the HD are replacing the drives, anyway... so I don't understand why they would put less of a drive in it.

But smaller is good, as long as there are not overheating problems. No, I won't know what to do if a really good deal comes along, buy one or wait for the "new" model.

I was just teasing you for the way you said it, not for what you said. :)

Although - MS is just gonna get whatever batch of Hard drive is cheapest - whether it be 8gb or 15gb... they're not going to be any smaller than 8gb though. Also, smaller laptop drives aren't cheaper than normal ones... they don't perform as well though, I know that.

I've always liked the design of the Xbox personally. This move seems to be more aimed at the Japanese market.

Do the same as you'd do on a car purchase. Let someone else buy it new, pay the premium... then get it cheaper w/a few miles on it.

I picked up my xbox with HALO for less than $100. :D:thumbsup:

-k
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I will prob. trade in my old Xbox and get the newer, smaller one, as long as they don't make it to 'cheap'.

You know, I see everyone comparing it to the PS2 in size, but at least you don't have to reach around to the back to turn the Damn thing on like a PS2!! God, I hate that!! I like the size of the PS2, but it's in the middle of my set-up, and reaching in to 'power-on' is a real pain!!

Just press and hold in the button on the front to turn off the ps2. Technically that puts it in standby mode, but all that's running is the little light.

Oh come on now steve... everyone likes a good 'reach around' from time to time. :lol:

-k
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You know, most people leave that switch in back on, and use the power button in the front to turn it on and off. :)

I assume you bought it used from someone you know? or did you buy a refurb... that's a steal.

And your right, I don't have a problem with someone else taking the depreciation...

Actually, the reason for the memory card was for the DVD drivers. When they brought it stateside the drivers were built into the system and there was no need to save them on a memory card. I'm sure it was a cost cutting measure, but the system was more expensive in Japan so the savings was passed on to the US buyers somewhat.

How somewhat? Did they pack the memory card in for free for the ones who bought it early on?

A friend, he bought it just for halo and got tired of the game 1/2 through. :thumbsup:

-k
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Yeah, I know, but most of my gaming time is on the X-Box, and I very seldom play the PS2, so I get paranoid leaving the switch 'on'. It just seemed like a bad idea to me. They made the system the perfect size to 'stack', then put the power button on the back. I hope they don't start doing this with Sony DVD players and receivers!!!;)

...and I agree Keys, nothin' wrong with a wrap-around once in a while!;)

I remember I read the News somewhere They did mention the Newer Small XBOX price Range between $124.99 - $149.99

Also, Mean Nintendo GC lowest they Price between $79.99 - $99.99 ??

What I meant was the PS2 was about $325 in Japan when first released with the Memory card. You had to use up a good portion of the card for the DVD drivers as well, so it wasn't like you got a whole card free.

When the console launched here the DVD player was better, the drivers were built in and the console was only $299.99. So I really don't see where Sony cheated US buyers.

Check out the size of this Xbox Case: :eek:

http://xbox-scene.com/imageserver2/c...pc/small_1.jpg
http://xbox-scene.com/imageserver2/c...pc/small_2.jpg
http://xbox-scene.com/imageserver2/c...pc/small_3.jpg

There's nothing wrong with leaving the PS2 "on." My sony dvd player has the same thing.

Basically it's no different than any TV with a remote. When you turn off a TV you're really putting it in standby.

Only risk is that it's more susceptible to power surges since it's always drawing a little power, but you'd have to be pretty dumb not to have your tv and consoles plugged into a surge protector.

Like Keyser I got a great deal on a used XBox. My older brother was mentioning to me how he was pretty unhappy with the selection of XBox games. He wasn't planning on selling it but when I mentioned that I was interested in buying an XBox he made me a great offer. He offered to sell me for 160 bucks(though as a thank you I gave him 180): his XBox(in great condition, has never given a single DD error or anything and he even still had the original box), S controller, Original Controller, Advanced AV Pack, Splinter Cell, All Star Baseball 2003, NBA Inside Drive 2002, Madden 2002, and NHL 2002. I had no interest in NBA, Madden, or NHL so I traded those in and used the credit to pick up Max Payne and Halo. Just picked up Live and Ghost Recon and I'm really enjoying having all three systems. Although, it seems that my PS2 is and will probably continue to get the least playing time.

-confused-
I'm not trying to be mean, but I don't understand what you're saying most of the time nor do I understand the above.

Translation:

Does that also mean Nintendo will lower their price on the GameCube to $79.99 - $99.99?

This is another case of bad R&D. I mean, they have gone back within a year and replaced the original controller, now they are completely re-doing the system? I mean come on, do it right the first time. But $ounds like typical Micro$oft. Rush something out there then worry about the problems later.