Xbox 361, who's buying? (Link added with additional pics)

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propeller_head

That all sounds good but analysts are rarely completely correct. They get paid for their educated guesses but their speculations are usually no better than posters' in your typical game forums. It's just a guessing game at this point; analysts' opinions just get more press because they work for high powered investment firms and they get paid for their analysis.
 
[quote name='felixlighter']propeller_head

That all sounds good but analysts are rarely completely correct. They get paid for their educated guesses but their speculations are usually no better than posters' in your typical game forums. It's just a guessing game at this point; analysts' opinions just get more press because they work for high powered investment firms and they get paid for their analysis.[/QUOTE]

Shh! Analysts are obviously correct when they say what he wants them to say, and uninformed buffoons when they say things like "Sony will eventually win this generation." :lol:

Seriously, though, what bothers me about analysts is that you can identify any number of them who will provide you with the outcome you foresee this generation - they have all the bases covered, so you can cherry pick supporting information for anything you believe; in the end, I feel, this ultimately renders analysts useless.
 
I thought this whole thing was still just rumor? Or is it confirmed now? Or is everyone just talking out of there asses like it is confirmed?
 
[quote name='magiic']I thought this whole thing was still just rumor? Or is it confirmed now? Or is everyone just talking out of there asses like it is confirmed?[/QUOTE]

Microsoft hasn't officially announced a new version of the Xbox 360. Neither has a price decrease been confirmed. What you have to realize is, Microsoft will not be announcing a hardware update weeks and months before it is released. Same goes for a price decrease. They do not want to give anybody a reason to wait and buy later. If/when a new version is announced expect to see it in stores almost immediately and when a price decrease is announced, expect it to be "effective immediately". ...But until then expect a lot more speculation...
 
[quote name='felixlighter']propeller_head

That all sounds good but analysts are rarely completely correct. They get paid for their educated guesses but their speculations are usually no better than posters' in your typical game forums. It's just a guessing game at this point; analysts' opinions just get more press because they work for high powered investment firms and they get paid for their analysis.[/quote] well duh. but when its your job to manage billions of $ of investments (citigroup is the largest investment co. in the world) youre going to have to be slightly more qualified than a fanboy ;) no1 can know the future for sure, but some people can have a better understanding of what will probably happen. for instance, chances are no1 here has contacts w/ flextronics or chartered semiconductor. there's another aspect to it though, they could simply be playing w/ leaked info to manipulate the market. e.g.
http://publish.vx.roo.com/thestreet/portal/?channel=Cramer%20On%20Demand&clipid=1373_10329438
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Shh! Analysts are obviously correct when they say what he wants them to say, and uninformed buffoons when they say things like "Sony will eventually win this generation." :lol:

Seriously, though, what bothers me about analysts is that you can identify any number of them who will provide you with the outcome you foresee this generation - they have all the bases covered, so you can cherry pick supporting information for anything you believe; in the end, I feel, this ultimately renders analysts useless.[/quote]
quiet down mr fanboy:lol:
i never said anything about the ps3. the fact that u read that into it means yer mind goes there straight. typical fanboyism.
but if you insist on it, im pretty sure i said it before. but its fairly obvious sony's going long w/ the PS3. they want it to last like the PS2 did, whereas MS will get its replacement for the 360 in and 360 players will switch over much more readily. MS is being aggressive sony's relying on its brand & predictability of average consumers.
youre right about all analysts having different opinions. but fact of the matter is, if their preditictions are off long enough, they dont have a job anymore:razz:

and yes there are analysts who actually sound less educated about the whole situation than even a casual gamer. case in point
http://games.slashdot.org/games/07/01/26/221206.shtml
the comments are kinda amusing :lol:
 
[quote name='magiic']I thought this whole thing was still just rumor? Or is it confirmed now? Or is everyone just talking out of there asses like it is confirmed?[/quote]
i for one am proud to talk out of my ass. it takes real talent to synthesize the equiv of my vocal chords w/ my sphincter.:bouncy::booty::rofl::joystick::p;)
 
[quote name='felixlighter']Microsoft hasn't officially announced a new version of the Xbox 360. Neither has a price decrease been confirmed. What you have to realize is, Microsoft will not be announcing a hardware update weeks and months before it is released. Same goes for a price decrease. They do not want to give anybody a reason to wait and buy later. If/when a new version is announced expect to see it in stores almost immediately and when a price decrease is announced, expect it to be "effective immediately". ...But until then expect a lot more speculation...[/quote]
exactamundo!

anyway i wasnt trying to spread false rumours or anything. i was just putting the info out there for any1 who's consiering waiting for a price drop. which will happen, thats a for sure. ms hasnt said anything about the hdmi for sure, but the move to 65nm fab is confirmed. question is just when. when, oh when will the blahblahblah when oh when will it blaaaaaah..
 
I was all set to wait for a price drop and/or smaller/cooler system and/or bigger HD. But then I found out a game store where I have tons of credit at is closing in March. So I'll probably pick up a 360 as a result. I was encouraged by the IGN "predictions". Though, of course, their opinion is as good (or bad) as anyone else's. But I'd put them at the same level of credibility as this analyst.

Their reasons for there NOT being a price drop or redesign this year are varied - but one is the impending release of Halo 3. They figure that will sell many systems at the current price so why would they cut out $50 or $100 on each system before that comes out? Anyway, it is an interesting read and I hope (for purely selfish reasons) that they are right if I decide to blow all my leftover credit on a 360 + games:

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/759/759057p1.html

I don't mind when things like the DS get redesigned as 1) I can use multiple systems (for the kids for multiplayer) and 2) the old ones still held decent resale value (or even sold for a premium in some cases like the old Teal ones).

I'd be pretty annoyed by the 360 redesign if it happened within a few months of my purchase, though. The old ones won't sell for much (especially if there's a price drop as well!) and I wouldn't feel it was worth it to upgrade, though I'd feel ripped off having the older one. I probably won't play the thing very much over the next several months anyway, so that would be more reason to be annoyed if a better/cheaper one came out.
 
Personally I think Microsoft would be incredibly stupid and short sighted not to drop the price this year, at the least. The 360 hasn't sold as well as people thought it would, has completly bombed in Japan, and right now has a HUGE potential advantage against the PS3 with a larger library and cheaper hardware. They need to milk that for all it's worth to get as much marketshare as possible while they still have those advantages, as they'll evaporate within a couple of years tops.

Going by the numbers we've seen, they SHOULD have dropped the price prior to Christmas to move more units, though I understand why they didn't. I have a feeling Microsoft won't be as aggressive on price as a Japanese company would be.
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']and right now has a HUGE potential advantage against the PS3 with a larger library and cheaper hardware. [/QUOTE]

And that's exactly why there hasn't been a price drop. PS3s are ridiculous, and Wiis are still in short supply. Neither really have the must-own games that the 360 has. Why lower the price when you are clearly the next-gen leader?

When the PS3 games and the Wii hardware start to flow, THEN you make the marketing move. I see them packaging the HD-DVD player in before I see a $100 drop. Maybe a $20 or $50 drop, but not $100. It makes no fiscal sense to lower the price of something that is clearly popular, and is only going to get more popular as this year goes on.
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']And that's exactly why there hasn't been a price drop. PS3s are ridiculous, and Wiis are still in short supply. Neither really have the must-own games that the 360 has. Why lower the price when you are clearly the next-gen leader?

When the PS3 games and the Wii hardware start to flow, THEN you make the marketing move. I see them packaging the HD-DVD player in before I see a $100 drop. Maybe a $20 or $50 drop, but not $100. It makes no fiscal sense to lower the price of something that is clearly popular, and is only going to get more popular as this year goes on.[/quote] I agree.

The 360 is doing well right now. There won't be a price drop unless there is a major change with the Wii or PS3.

Plus, this should be a great year for games on the 360. I thought I was excited about last year's PS2 releases, but I'm more about the 360 games this year.
 
Here's another tidbit I found from an interview that News.com had with Bill Gates:
One of things Microsoft said on the earnings call last week is that you are not going to ship quite as many Xboxes, at least in the near term, as you had forecast. What's behind that?
Gates: The Xbox had a great Christmas, but we actually provided enough inventory to go even beyond that. People in the first half will be working off that somewhat. We're always quite conservative in terms of how we do forecasts. We feel our competitive position with Xbox 360 could not be better. We got out a year ahead of our competitor, got the volume up there so that software people see it as the platform they really want to build on. Even with the conservatism, I've never felt better about Xbox 360 and where it is.
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What I find interesting is that the 360 is doing very well yet they are holding back on shipments. IMO this is a sign that they're scaling back to avoid having a high amount of current-gen 360s in the market when they bring out the new revision. Gates can spin this all he wants, but maketing 101 says you don't short your supply when there's demand unless you want to avoid taking a capital loss due to a new product.

I have a feeling that good things are abound for 360 owners this year.
 
The things is, the analyst-y type people say it didn't sell as expected, that they're not moving the numbers that were expected. Dropping price NOW builds marketshare now while the 360 still has an advantage.

Dropping price later just brings it in line with whatever Sony's doing then, and once the PS3 has an equivalent library, that may not be enough.

Long term they should have dropped the price so they weren't making money on the 360 again, as soon as they could. Making money on the hardware now is meaningless if it gets kicked around again by Sony.

Heck, a $300 Premium last Christmas would probably have seen WAY more sales than it did, and really built momentum. Coasting along until Sony catches up is not going to help them.

I guess if they can bring out a better model for the same price (ie all in one design, better controller, quieter system + HDMI + larger drive-or at least larger drives available) then it won't look like a price increase, which would be an argument for keeping the price the same.

EDIT: (Another point-Microsoft would have to absolutely dominate in the US in order to compete world wide. The 360 flopped catastrophically in Japan, and would have to dominate that much more in the US to be seen as an equally viable platform world wide.)
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']The things is, the analyst-y type people [/QUOTE]

There's your problem. MS doesn't care what analysts say. Most have an agenda regardless. MS cares about destroying Sony, and dropping price NOW doesn't do that. It's a tit-for-tat thing, and Sony hasn't shown their hand. In this market, the first person to do something isn't always the best. Right now PS3s are sitting in stores not being sold. Better software isn't going to help this much. Only a price drop will.

If Sony announces a $100 price drop, MS will need to have something in the bad to trump it. If you come out now with a drop, you've played your hand.
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']There's your problem. MS doesn't care what analysts say. Most have an agenda regardless. MS cares about destroying Sony, and dropping price NOW doesn't do that. It's a tit-for-tat thing, and Sony hasn't shown their hand. In this market, the first person to do something isn't always the best. Right now PS3s are sitting in stores not being sold. Better software isn't going to help this much. Only a price drop will.[/quote]

Well, I totally disagree. Yeah, Microsoft wants to wipe out Sony-to do that they need to get hardware out there. They need so much out there that the 360 becomes the primary platform in the US-they need so much out there that Japanese companies consider it for primary development even if only the PS3 version will move in Japan.

Dropping the price prior to this Christmas would have moved more hardware than dropping the price down the line will. Dropping after Sony drops is just going to maintain the status quo, except Sony's library will continue to improve, the 360 will lose all it's "exclusive by default" games (ie games it got exclusively just because the PS3 wasn't out), etc.
Microsoft's making a short sighted mistake here, they're not capitalizing on their position, and they may come to regret that.

If Sony announces a $100 price drop, MS will need to have something in the bad to trump it. If you come out now with a drop, you've played your hand.
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So? Their hand is just a price drop. Sony's always dictated when the market drops. For the first time ever, Microsoft has the cheaper to produce hardware, yet they're not taking full advantage of that. I bet in a reverse situation Sony would have dropped, or at least would prior to E3 (well, E3 in past years...)

You're basically saying that Microsoft dropping the price now somehow gives Sony the upper hand-how?
 
[quote name='Wolfpup'] Sony's always dictated when the market drops. [/QUOTE]


By a whole day, and MS beat them to the $150 price point. You're acting as if there is this gluttony of great titles forthcoming to Sony to move a $600 console. There isn't. Period. The PS3 exclusives only move so many consoles, and it did so at an initial price point HALF of it was for the PS2. For the 360, price only increased by $100 for the top-ender.

Oh, there's talk of some nice titles coming, but when are they going to be here? Almost every game I've heard of has been delayed at some point in the dev cycle. 360 sold over 1 million in December, PS3 half of that. And that doesn't take into account the people who tried to resell them. I can guarantee you people aren't buying 360s to resell.

360 may be losing Japan, but it's certainly not to Sony. Wii is pounding both of them, and rightly so. It's going to take a long time for the PS3 to be in more homes than the 360. Let's at least see the January numbers (when PS3s became commonplace) before we start assuming MS is freaking out over Sony. I guarantee you they aren't sweating it.
 
well last gen it was the PS2 which dropped 1st as it had been out a year longer. MS followed suit the same week. i think we can expect the 360 to drop this summer w/ the PS3 dropping sometime w/in 2 months.

PS2 pricedrop 1 year 6 months
xbox pricedrop 6 months

ive read that MS is pursuing the idea of selling the 360 in china. so if a hdmi model does arrive perhaps the backstock of 360s not already on store shelves will be diverted there. if 360s start becoming scarce its probably a good sign the revisions getting ready to ship.
 
Don't know if theres a date for release or anything, too much to read, but I bet they'll release it at the same time or close to the release of Halo 3... then people will be so hyped about it they'll buy a 360 just for that game and owners will buy it as well... or at least before the Halo 3 is released.
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']By a whole day, and MS beat them to the $150 price point.[/quote]

So? My point is Microsoft needs to do this for themselves. If they wait for Sony to force their hand, they've already given up their advantage.

You're acting as if there is this gluttony of great titles forthcoming to Sony to move a $600 console. There isn't. Period....
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It's a $500 console, and it's at the same point the 360 was last year. It's library is small, but by the end of the year will be respectable. The 360's advantage in that regard will be over. 360 won't be getting any more "exclusives by default". NOW is the time for Microsoft to capitalize on it...actually this past Christmas was.

360 may be losing Japan, but it's certainly not to Sony.
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The PS3 has slaughtered the 360 in Japan. It surpassed the 360's sales almost instantly. The 360 performed worse than the original X-Box.

...Let's at least see the January numbers (when PS3s became commonplace) before we start assuming MS is freaking out over Sony. I guarantee you they aren't sweating it.
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Then they're idiots. They should be sweating it after the Christmas results and how badly they tanked in Japan. Sony's made huge mistakes (probably all tied to having to include a Blu Ray drive) and it left Microsoft an opening...that they haven't taken as aggressively as they should. Waiting around for Sony to catch up is not a winning strategy.
 
I know what you're trying to say Wolfpup, but really, if the 60GB PS3 dropped to $500 on June 1st, and MS dropped the premium to $300 on June 2nd, do you the general public would care who dropped what first?

Maybe for the first day, but that's nothing. It doesn't matter, as long as MS makes a similar drop.

After the recent news from the Sony official, about the PS3 won't see a price drop anytime soon, if I was MS I would drop the Core to $200 and the Premium to $300. At that price point, I'm sure that would push a lot of people that were on the edge, over. The $100 they lose on each system would more than likely be made up by new customers buying software/accessories/Live gold.
 
[quote name='zewone']I know what you're trying to say Wolfpup, but really, if the 60GB PS3 dropped to $500 on June 1st, and MS dropped the premium to $300 on June 2nd, do you the general public would care who dropped what first?[/quote]

[I presume you mean Sony would drop the PS3 to $400 (or maybe $430 like in Japan?]

Anyway that's not my point. Microsoft won't be gaining anything by dropping at the same time as Sony, they'll just be keeping up relative to where things are now.

By fiddling with the packaging prior to Christmas-maybe drop the "core" system, and just have one system with a hard drive but nothing else-Microsoft could have undercut Sony's pricing by $200 while losing little to nothing per unit.

A $300 price tag for a true next generation system would have been VERY appealing against a $250 Wii, or a $500 PS3-I think it would have boosted sales well past where they were, and I don't think Sony or Nintendo could have done anything to counter it (besides just having "new" hardware).

After the recent news from the Sony official, about the PS3 won't see a price drop anytime soon, if I was MS I would drop the Core to $200 and the Premium to $300. At that price point, I'm sure that would push a lot of people that were on the edge, over. The $100 they lose on each system would more than likely be made up by new customers buying software/accessories/Live gold.
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That's EXACTLY what I'm saying, except I think they should have done it before Christmas, and maybe do some "Nintendon't" style ads like Sega did in the day, showcasing Gears of War and Viva Piniata Lost Planet against first generation PS3 stuff...and against Wii stuff too! Show off all the great first and second party 360 games, show how much better it is than Wii, show it's just as good as a PS3, but cheaper (after dropping the price that is).

But yeah, they should drop as soon as possible to get the maximum effect. (And Sony's already rumbling that they may cut prices, though haven't given a time frame.)

I think more that they'll just eliminate the Core package though, as they lose money on it apparently, and it's kind of just a gimmick. A more streamlined "regular" 360 with a hard drive is probably the way to go.

Do that now to move 360's, and fiddle with the pricing again when the new model hits (if it's a major redesign like I hope it is).
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']So? My point is Microsoft needs to do this for themselves. If they wait for Sony to force their hand, they've already given up their advantage.



It's a $500 console, and it's at the same point the 360 was last year. It's library is small, but by the end of the year will be respectable. The 360's advantage in that regard will be over. 360 won't be getting any more "exclusives by default". NOW is the time for Microsoft to capitalize on it...actually this past Christmas was.



The PS3 has slaughtered the 360 in Japan. It surpassed the 360's sales almost instantly. The 360 performed worse than the original X-Box.



Then they're idiots. They should be sweating it after the Christmas results and how badly they tanked in Japan. Sony's made huge mistakes (probably all tied to having to include a Blu Ray drive) and it left Microsoft an opening...that they haven't taken as aggressively as they should. Waiting around for Sony to catch up is not a winning strategy.[/QUOTE]

No, it's a $600 console. If you're going to spend $500, might as well pony up the rest to get the MCR etc. I'm counting the 360 as $400, so if you want to stay in the conversation count it as $600.

Microsoft is looking at over 6.5x the number of 360s sold over the PS3. We won't see anything approaching a price drop until that number gets closer to 3x. MS waits on Sony? That's why they've had new pricing formats and displays ready to retail the day after? Please.

Sony's biggest problem is themselves. They sold 1 million more PS2s in December than PS3s. That helps the bottom line, but you can pretty much rule out those people to upgrade this year.

You keep worrying about Japan. Did Allard ever realistically think they'd win Japan? They've had two good game over there, and it sold pretty well. They get more games, they'll do better. And it isn't all about RPGs, as Gears sold out. PS3 sold about 4x more than 360 in December. Not surprising to anyone, least of all Microsoft people.

Point is, we can argue NPD numbers all we like, but it doesn't even come close to estimating the install base for the PS3 by any means. It will probably take 6 months to figure out how inflated the numbers are by people who bought to resell. They've sold 683.7k, maybe 400k are actually playing it? PS3 doesn't have one game in the top 10 for December. There's no attach rate.

The console isn't selling. That's plainly evidenced by the massive amounts that stores have in stock currently. If you have a Fry's near you, go see what elaborate display they've made of them. Microsoft are also getting some good, formerly PS2-exclusive titles this year as well. We'll see how well Guitar Hero and GTA do. I'm guessing pretty well.

You're Chicken Little when the sky is clear.
 
[quote name='Wolfpup'][I presume you mean Sony would drop the PS3 to $400 (or maybe $430 like in Japan?][/quote]
I meant the 60GB PS3, so no, I did mean $500. I know there are people out there who like kid themselves that $500 is the actual cost of the system, and I would agree if the 20GB was as easy to find as the 60GB. Since it's not, $600 is the price of the system and $500 for those lucky enough to find a 20GB when then are looking to buy a PS3.

In a perfect world, there would have been no core or 60GB model, but in reality they do exist and they aren't going away anytime soon. But to MS's credit, the core and premium seem to have the same production amounts, giving the consumer their choice.

Anyway that's not my point. Microsoft won't be gaining anything by dropping at the same time as Sony, they'll just be keeping up relative to where things are now.
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I see what you're saying now. I agree.
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']Sony's biggest problem is themselves. They sold 1 million more PS2s in December than PS3s. That helps the bottom line, but you can pretty much rule out those people to upgrade this year.[/quote] it doesnt detract from sales. there are 2 types of ppl who would buy a $100 console

a) someone who doesnt have the money/isnt willing to shell out more than $100

b) someone who wants another one (for kids room, to leave in a vacation house, to give as a gift to some1 [the only people giving PS3s as gifts are either the rich or direct relatives who want to use it themselves. kind of like giving a bowling ball to your wife:lol:], to simply have the slim one if they collect consoles)

no1 will compare a $100 console to a $600 realistically. the purchase decisions are seperate.
 
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/06/xbox-360-finally-quiets-down-with-brand-new-internal-dvd-drive/

Xbox 360 finally quiets down with brand new internal DVD drive


It's no secret that the Xbox 360's disc drive is hella noisy, by far outstripping any incidental fan noises that might be going on inside that white box. Luckily, help is on the way -- sort of. Microsoft has started building its 360s with a new DVD drive manufactured by BenQ-LiteOn-Philips, the BenQ VAD6038, which purportedly runs "super-quiet" in comparison to the previous two drives used by MS, and even speeds up and smooths out load times. Of course, this does nothing for the 10 million plus current owners of Xbox 360s suffering from the noisy insanity of the older drives, but it does mean that as Microsoft ramps up production with this new drive, your next 360 hopefully won't fall victim to the whir.
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[quote name='propeller_head']http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/06/xbox-360-finally-quiets-down-with-brand-new-internal-dvd-drive/[/QUOTE]

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:

Hell yeah! Thank you Microsoft!

Now how do we tell which model's have the new drive? I'm trading in my 360 if I can figure this out.

I may make the 360 my main system if I can figure this out :)
 
[quote name='Cormier6083']Too late. I already bought mine. Though built in HD-DVD would be very nice.



Umm... SCPH-5001 added built in IR[/quote]


Added progressive scanning for DVD's
 
[quote name='Wolfpup']YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy: :bouncy:

Hell yeah! Thank you Microsoft!

Now how do we tell which model's have the new drive? I'm trading in my 360 if I can figure this out.

I may make the 360 my main system if I can figure this out :)[/quote]
well, easiest way would be to look at the tray. that is unless MS has a custom tray for some reason. they'll probably at least have it w/ grey plastic instead of black. but who knows. if any1 has a black plastic tray feel free to speak up.

the 2 drives on the right are the older 360s and the one on the left is the prototype using the PC equiv of the drive being put in newer 360s now

allthreedvdsxs.jpg
 
Yeah, I asked this on the other thread but I guess no one has figured it out yet. It would be nice if there was a serial number range or part number change, or something that we could look at on the outside of the box before purchase to see if it has the new drive. Of course, as the article states, the manufacture date needs to be Nov 2006 or later. But that doesn't guarantee the new drive as not all of the ones made from that date on will have it (yet, anyway). My dilemma is that I have credit to burn at a store that is closing soon. I know they have 6 premium 360's. I can check out the manufactured dates for sure, but it would nice if there was another way to tell. Otherwise I'm actually tempted to get one from Costco for their return policy...
 
The only way to find out what drive it is, is by opening it. The best chance of getting it is the(unethical) way to swap it out at Costco.
[quote name='Punk_Raven']The drive on the left says phillips. I thought they said the new one was a ben Q....[/QUOTE]
The new DVD drive manufactured is by BenQ-LiteOn-Philips. They made a manufacturing deal, so they all use the same drives.
 
[quote name='zewone']The only way to find out what drive it is, is by opening it. The best chance of getting it is the(unethical) way to swap it out at Costco.[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't consider it *highly* unethical. I mean, if I bought one and it sounded like s 747 I'd use it for a few months (to make sure they have the new ones in stock then) and then return it out of frustration with the noise. I think that would be a valid return reason at Costco. From what I've heard here it seems that even with the original model some are noisier than others. It it wasn't too bad, I wouldn't bother. But if it is highly annoying, then, yeah, I would.

Another question though - even by opening it up how do you tell? Is it confirmed that the new drives have black trays like in the picture above? (Until I hear from someone with a new 360 who can describe it and how it is different from the old ones I wouldn't be too sure).
 
[quote name='io']o bad, I wouldn't bother. But if it is highly annoying, then, yeah, I would.

Another question though - even by opening it up how do you tell? Is it confirmed that the new drives have black trays like in the picture above? (Until I hear from someone with a new 360 who can describe it and how it is different from the old ones I wouldn't be too sure).[/QUOTE]
It more than likely, is not black, but could be like the one pictured. You can tell by the design of the DVD drive (the picture was posted right above. The one on the far left is the new BenQ, the middle is Hitachi (the worst), and the right is Samsung.
 
[quote name='zewone']It more than likely, is not black, but could be like the one pictured. You can tell by the design of the DVD drive (the picture was posted right above. The one on the far left is the new BenQ, the middle is Hitachi (the worst), and the right is Samsung.[/QUOTE]

Confused... The tray on the new one in the picture looks black to me while the older ones look gray. That seems like it would be the easiest way to tell (without pulling the drive itself out of the 360) if those are the actual devices used. But I thought that was under contention as the new drive pictured is "the prototype using the PC equiv of the drive being put in newer 360s now". Thus, it's actual appearance in production 360's could be different.

Or are you saying the shape of the tray will be the difference (ignoring color) - the new one has that nice clean curve to it without all the goofy notches the others have ;). If someone with a NEW QUIET drive can pipe up and let us know we could solve this right here and now!
 
[quote name='io']Confused... The tray on the new one in the picture looks black to me while the older ones look gray. That seems like it would be the easiest way to tell (without pulling the drive itself out of the 360) if those are the actual devices used. But I thought that was under contention as the new drive pictured is "the prototype using the PC equiv of the drive being put in newer 360s now". Thus, it's actual appearance in production 360's could be different.

Or are you saying the shape of the tray will be the difference (ignoring color) - the new one has that nice clean curve to it without all the goofy notches the others have ;). If someone with a NEW QUIET drive can pipe up and let us know we could solve this right here and now![/QUOTE]
The drive may be black if they are using PC parts, like the one pictured. As production goes, it will probably be gray like the others to match the system.

The shape of the tray is what you want to pay attention to.
 
I just close the door of my entertainment center, stops the noise very well.
Never had any overheating problems but if I do I will return to Costco.
 
[quote name='porieux']I just close the door of my entertainment center, stops the noise very well.
Never had any overheating problems but if I do I will return to Costco.[/QUOTE]

The noise will be a problem for me if it is too loud because I have an open shelving unit (built in to the wall), so no doors to close. In addition to that, I can't drown out the sound with the volume of the games because I will most likely be playing the 360 late at night and it is right underneath our bedroom ;). (and not too far from the kids rooms either). Any game that has great ambient sound will have to be played low, unfortunately. If all I hear is a bunch of system/drive noise it will be very distracting.

Anyway, I may roll the dice on the GR systems and get one if they have a post Nov 2006 one. Then I'll cross my fingers and check out that drive tray shape first thing ;). But now that I know about this, if GR does not have a post Nov 2006 system I will buy one at Costco. The thing is, their bundles have been sitting there since before Christmas, so who knows when they were made...
 
:rofl: I appreciate the joke, but the point is that I DO want to hear the sound of the game, BUT I need to keep it quiet because of the sleeping family (so if the console is too noisy it will be highly noticeable). I suppose I could get myself some wireless headphones or something ;).
 
[quote name='io']But now that I know about this, if GR does not have a post Nov 2006 system I will buy one at Costco. The thing is, their bundles have been sitting there since before Christmas, so who knows when they were made...[/quote]

I've actually noticed this when I was fixing the display a while ago. I think the newer systems, at least the ones we got for the holiday season, advertise Sonic and Gears and Newer games on the back.
 
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