So even if I don't d/l demos, you're really still recommending the elite?

Signing up for Xbox Live is a piece of shit. I'm on like my 7th try already. Why the fuck is signing up unavailable?

I don't download a lot of demos either, but I do download map packs (usually after they become free), and you'd be shocked how quickly that those files add up in size. Especially if you collect games and don't want to have to rely on Microsoft hosting the files forever.

If I remember correctly, the two map packs for Rainbow Six: Vegas combine to be over 1GB all by themselves.

Also, if you keep your eyes open, you'll probably want to take advantage of promotions that Microsoft does where you can download TV shows or games for free, and again - these things add up.

Most gamers can right now perfectly survive without the 120, but I think that most people who have the 120 will say that they wouldn't want to go back to the 20.

The status page says it is "up and running" yet they name numerous problems they are aware of and working to fix.
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/?WT.svl=nav

Bullshit. The service toast. I was having all kinds of issues and finally gave it up.

Not a fun first experience with my 360. I'm already having buyer's remorse.

This is not normal... so don't get too frustrated yet.

Yea, not like they aren't getting a ton of signups 3 days after xmas...

But those are things I don't care about either.

OK, I finally was able to sign up. My Gamertag is Scorpy Gkar. Please add me guys. I have picked up Dead Rising, Oblivion, and COD4. There are also the 2 pack-in games.

Well it was interesting, I had some issues trying to register some games with nintendo.com on Christmas, and my kids were having issues with webkinz.com (site probably crashed under the load). So seems like more than a few companies didn't anticipate the load Christmas would bring to their sites.

And it's easy to say you won't download demos--but when there's demos there, which save you a rental of checking out a game, especially if you're always online, you'd be surprised how many you will probably download to check out (if not keep on there). I love the demos, I don't rent games for 8 bucks, I'll just buy them if I like them, and the demo tells me if I want to buy it, and if it's a fullprice game (Bioshock) or a sale/used price (Crackdown) for me.

Yeah! The ability to download demo has really changed my buying pattern. I now will wait for a big price drop before buying a below or average game.

Great post and sums up my feeling exactly. I bought a 20GB thinking the exact same things that others thought...wouldn't be downloading much, 20GBs is enough, etc.

Now I wish I had gone ahead and bought an Elite, especially since the 120GB HD by itself is way overpriced. You have to remember that the system uses around 4 to 5GB of the 20 it came with for various "system functions."

I love the ability to download demos. I actually stay on top of my HD space by keeping it current and deleting old demos and such but you pick up other things such as Themes, new gamertag pix, DLC (such as free/pay map packs, cars <such as the free cars on Burnout Revenge>, songs on GHIII/Rock Band, etc.) game saves and of course some Arcade Live games. You may think you might not use any of this, but trust me, you will.

Even staying on top of my HD, I have about 9GB left on my 20GB that I just bought in September. I am planning on buying a 120 HD once I get down to 2GB no matter what.

Spend the little extra money and buy the large Hard Drive. It is well worth it.

Right.

Nosmo Rex posted some info about LIVE having some issues Friday night so that may be what's causing the problem.

Actually one of them is over 1GB alone. I think the other one is around 800MB, so nearly 2GB for two map packs.

Demos aren't games. They are to give you a taste of the experience and to guide you to buy the game or not. Why save them? If you like it, buy it(or put it on your wish list for a price drop), if not delete it and reclaim your space. Have a hankering to play a demo, redownload it. I don't recall any demo that MS has permenantly removed.

I've had a 360 since launch and still have 7GB free. I have about 30 arcade games and a couple demos. I was down to 2GB but spent a few minutes deleting demos I don't play and videos I'm never going to watch again and bamm... back to 7GB.

if you're using HDMI for your X360, don't get the hd-dvd add-on... unless you're willing to give up digital sound and use the analog sound from the component cable. HDMI connection gives you 720p max, unless an update correct this...

Once I watch a video, I do delete them. Many of the demos on my drive I haven't really tried yet, and some of the demos I like as demos, but I don't like the game enough to buy it; that is, I'll "replay" the demo. Sometimes a taste is all I need, but I like to taste it again occasionally. The SpiderMan Friend or Foe demo, for instance. That doesn't feel like a forty dollar game to me, but it's fun to pick up and cooperatively whack phantoms every now and then. And since I've still got 60GB free (I did delete a couple demos last night from games I have since bought or that I know I will not play again) I don't have to work at keeping space free.

Since the 360 with hard drive is basically a computer, is it susceptible to computer hazards? I'm assuming that since Live is a very closed network, there's virtually nil chance of things like viruses. But what about the harddrive--does it ever need to be scandisked/chkdsked or defragged? Or are those tasks handled automatically by the system?

I'm just saying, there is absolutely no history of MS removing demos, so you are free to dowload as many times as you want. Live is usually quick, so it isn't a huge deal. I'd rather do that than basically tell them is is okay to overcharge for a 120GB drive by buying one or the Elite.

*shrug* I'd rather have more room than I need than have to work to keep 2 GB free. I'd rather pay the upgrade fee up front with the built in hard drive of the Elite than pay to more to upgrade later on with the separate HD then have to get rid of a 20GB. Oblivion GotY disk 2 content is about 1GB by itself. RB DLC is probably 400 MB so far and I didn't even buy everything available. There are other ways to do it--direct ipod connection, TVersity/Windows Media Server--but you can also store music, movies, and photos on the HD as well.
I would like to have the capability to plug in a third party HD. I would also like to have built in wireless/wifi like the other two consoles instead of overcharging 99$ for a single-device wireless adapter. I would also like to have a console with a failure rate less than 33%. Of messages to send to MS, saving a little money by buying a console with 20GB HD instead of the 120GB (since I'm assuming most people are of the opinion that you need a hard drive, esp. if buying a 360 now) is far down my list. It's generally better to have too much room than not enough, in my opinion.

self correction, not true, you can still obtain digital audio via the optical socket on the back of the X360 component cable.

Thanks to PerryD, Mr Music and mbs....

Right now, i'd definitely like to have the bigger hard drive. I'd rather keep more demos and videos around then having to delete them and redownload them later.

Hope this isn't a dumb question...

Where can I get the elite 360? I've looked at a few online retailers but the reputable ones don't have them in stock.

Do all the elites have the new chips?

Thanks!

Although very rare, not only have demos disappeared from future downloading, it's possible for MS to make a demo already downloaded to be inaccessible (Rockstar's Table Tennis demo "expired" without warning).