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Gamepro thinks the Xbox 360 Elite just isn't elite

Posted Apr 19, 2007 at 3:39PM EST by QJ Staff

Listed in: Xbox 360 Tags: HDMI, Microsoft
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Xbox 360 elite - Image 1Blake Snow of GamePro notes eight reasons why the Xbox 360 Elite just isn't elite. Included in his list of reasons is his belief that three models of the Xbox 360 is one too many. He also sees the Xbox 360 Elite being cheaper than the PS3 as a bad thing.

He notes the lack of wireless networking, the fact that it will still be quite loud, the lack of an HD-DVD bundle, his disagreement with the black coloring, his belief that the machine isn't intended for gamers, and -- most importantly -- his belief that the current 10 million Xbox 360 owners are getting the shaft.

Let me repeat for emphasis, he believes that the current 10 million Xbox 360 user base is getting shafted by Microsoft.

He says that while Microsoft says that the Elite is not aimed at existing customers but for HD enthusiasts who still don't own an Xbox 360, he's still a perplexed by the fact that Microsoft spent a lot of time telling existing Xbox 360 owners that bigger hard drives and HDMI video were unnecessary. He adds that even new Elite owners may get shortchanged as most Xbox Live Content is still being optimized for 20GB hard drives making the 120GB drive that the Elite has moot.

If you're interested in figuring out the reasons behind his discontent feel free to head to the feature via our "read" link below. On a related note, some of us here at QJ (those who enjoy their Xbox 360s) sees Microsoft's previous actions as indicative of them not saying that bigger hard drives and HDMI video were unnecessary, but rather that said features are not requisite for next gen gaming. The point was that they were optional, much like what the Elite is: an option. But that's just the Xbox 360 playing side of QJ, what about you folks? What do you think?



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Comments 


 
# moneyGuest 2007-04-19 16:46
m$ just has too much money. no matter how many times they fail they can just make another system.

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# From the ArticleQuixand 2007-04-19 16:53
3. No wireless networking. C'mon. This is just inexcusable. Even the DS with its 12 year-old computing technology supports wifi. There's no excuse for what's being dubbed as "elite" not to include this inexpensive, widely used networking standard. Microsoft can pimp "choice" all they want on this one, but who doesn't want wi-fi? Sample: "No, I don't ever want wireless networking, so don't make me pay the $10 wholesale price of adding it." Preposterous.



... Makes Sense.

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# what?Guest 2007-04-19 16:57
i think it has a built in hd-dvd drive

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# for u MEQuixand 2007-04-19 17:06
from the article again as a reply to you...



6. No HD-DVD bundle. Is the Elite trying to be a multimedia device or not? Not including an HD-DVD drive just feels underdeveloped, and something Microsoft could have used to juice up excitement for the Elite. Of course, we can't help but suspect that the increasing popularity of Blu-ray had something to do with the decision to exclude HD-DVD this time around. Furthermore, the add-on drive will not be released in black for Elite owners still wanting HD-DVD support. That'll look real classy on your entertainment center; the black-and-white cookie look is so in this year.



so nope!!! no built-in HDDVD.

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# Okay...Guest 2007-04-19 17:28
So you get a $180 worth hard drive with the features of the premium system and an upgrade to video options for only $80 more.... How again do you see this as not elite? If you're comparing 360 to 360 and not 360 to PS3, you are definitely an elite gamer if you need the larger space and you need the video option upgrade... I think you have to understand that microsoft is naming all of these systems off of who is going to buy them. The core systems is for the core gamer. The premium is for the premium gamer that likes to have nicer things. The elite gamer is a gamer that likes to have nicer things then his buddy that has the premium model... That's about it.

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# dsafasdfsadfdsf Guest 2007-04-19 18:06
Thats why I have not bought an XBOX 360 cause early adopters get the shaft on ***** like this.

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# I honestly thinkGuest 2007-04-19 18:07
microsoft would have been better off just releasing the bigger harddrive, it would solidify the fact that they want you to be able to enjoy movies, tv shows, game content and that new halo 3 recording feature



no amout of hardware can beat the enjoyment you get out of the games and the content that comes along with the 360 and playing co-op with friends on live, they had a good thing going and the elite does in a way screw it all up.

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# better luck next time micGuest 2007-04-19 18:29
wow a bigger hdd and hdmi port. u call that elite?

elite is the full package like wifi, hd-dvd, maybe 1y free gold live

elite= pointless



elite is well expensive

ps3 works out a hell of a lot cheaper and u can pick up 120gb hdd for the ps3 for peanuts.



mic should had made the 360 with an hdmi port and upgradeable hdd just like sony but mic always like 2 screw ppl over just like with windows.

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# PointlessGuest 2007-04-19 19:46
As much as I support the 360, I agree that the elite is a ridiculous product. Its only feature that I want is the HDMI, and thats not worth the effort and cost of replacing my current 360.



I recently bought a nice LCD TV, and after playing my 360 a bit, my thought was "I need to get an HDMI cable for this... oh wait, there isnt one. Crap."



I dont want an expensive new black 360, I dont want an even more expensive PS3, I just want an HDMI cable for my current 360. How do you make an HD machine, when LCD HDTVs so popular and cheap, but you dont bother with a digital video signal?

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# ?Guest 2007-04-19 19:50
I fail to see how microsoft screws people over with windows. They work hard to produce an excelent operating system. Its the *people* who are always trying to screw over windows, what with viruses, spyware or just pirating the darn thing.

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# I totally agree....Shatterdome 2007-04-19 20:00
The lack of wifi is not very "Elite"....



Really this is just for people who want to use ALOT of video marketplace, everyone else is better off still getting the premium....

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# No Digital Video Signal? Because.........Jin Wu 2007-04-19 20:05
the 360 was never designed to output a digital signal.



The Elite (and I use that term loosely) is redesigned to output digital video. It's not because original 360's weren't capable, it's because it's cheaper not to include that option.



And since xbox gamers were going to buy it regardless, why spend extra production dollars when you don't have to. Like xbox gamers never wanted backwards compatibility like MS says right? You never really like that whole make your own soundtrack thing from the original xbox right? So they half assed implemented it in the 360. I could go on and on, but it's pointless. I own one but it's a cheap piece of crap. Where's Halo 3?

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# vga manGuest 2007-04-19 20:26
just use the vga port if your tv has one looks better than hdmi games on ps3 to me.

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# To ArcaneViewGuest 2007-04-19 21:01
'So you get a $180 worth hard drive with the features of the premium system and an upgrade to video options for only $80 more.... How again do you see this as not elite?'



I would agree with you if the elite was a system lunch option. BUT you might want to tell that to the existing 10million+ 360 owners now, who are stuck with their core and prenium 360 units. NOPE you dont want to trust me!!!!

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# To 360 fanGuest 2007-04-19 21:14
I seriously suggest to you my friend that you must find a ps3 pluged into an HD TV and play any game in HD configuration (Motorstorm!!!) , then go back home play with your 360 and then take a moment to think. And something else keep in mind that HD is just 720p true HD is 1080p, which only the ps3 supports. When games are out that support this feauture everybody will be blown away!. So take my advice and try this.

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# to ConstantinecyGuest 2007-04-19 21:46
remember that is not really 10 million owners is maybe around the five (lol) mil since most of you had to go an buy 2 0r 3 XboX 360 because they are faulty equipment.

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# Screw itGuest 2007-04-20 00:14
just buy a ps3 :)

you wil not be dissapointed.



and if so

buy motorstorm

very very very very amazing game

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# Agreed.Guest 2007-04-20 01:21
Even though I have run ethernet cables throughout my house to get to my 360 when I go to my Dads for a week visit I am without multiplayer the whole time because of the lack of wireless. And, why? It should have been there to begin with.



This whole article is true. MS shafted me.

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# To yeaGuest 2007-04-20 01:26
You think Windows is an "excellent operating system"? ROFLMAO!!



You are naive. It's a monopoly of the truest nature on a product that very few are satisfied with.

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# Look at it like this...Guest 2007-04-20 01:32
My tv has a tonn of inputs - the most of which are HDMI. Four of them. I wouldn't want to use my VGA port - that's for my laptop to plug into when I bring it home. The DVI port is for my PC to use as a monitor. My svideo is for my tv/vcr combo. So, my 360 is forced into using component cables or hdmi. I have a premium system - component cables. Looks like ass compared to my ps3 in hdmi. I can see lines being distorted slightly with the component cables...

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# ......Guest 2007-04-20 01:34
I HATED MOTORSTORM... if u stop and look around (i say stop so the scenery is not blurry) the mountains are boxed and flat and whats this????? flat grass that no matter what direction you are facing it always seem to be looking straight at you.... whoa i havent seen that since tomb raider 1!!!!!! but hey what do i know right..... LOL

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# Last comment on thisGuest 2007-04-20 02:48
Now everyone's spazzing out because this will have HDMI, but the word on the street is that the 1080P that is coming through the component video cables is going to look the same as the HDMI 1080P at first because none of the games were coded with 1080P in mind! Not even the sound coming through that cable will be different.... So everyone has to do deal with UPSCALING until a real 1080P game comes out (mainly Forza will be the first one). And an even better thing is for the white monster owners like you Consantinacy - there are ways to make it HDMI (kind of). Buy the VGA adapter for your 360 and use gender changers from VGA to DVI then from DVI to HDMI and it will hook it up. Will it look the same? Probably... Let's put it this way guys, the 360 wasn't meant to do HDMI, it's only doing it because unknowledgeable consumers think that since the 360 doesn't have HDMI, the PS3 is better but as you've seen on qj, the PS3 may have better video output by technology but if the 360's developers know what their doing with the 360 SDK (Dev Kit) better than the PS3 devs then you're going to have games like Splinter Cell that look better on 360's 720p (1080i for you 58"+ TV owners -- you weirdos) than PS3's 1080p "true high definition" game....... Again, my argument is that it has nothing to do with the hardware right now, just the developer.... And I don't think that Microsoft even needed to make the HDMI version, their market really are the people like me who bought a 32" HD TV THIS YEAR and want a modest gaming system to play hardcorely online with, they don't have to keep up with the technology on the PS3 because Sony will not be able to recover the R&D costs on the PS3 (since sales will suck) and Sony will be out of the gaming race. Next round it'll just be Nintendo, Microsoft, and Hewlett Packard (they're looking at making a computer game based system)???

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# 360 hard driveGuest 2007-04-20 02:52
the 360 hard drive IS upgradeable you can detach it and get the 120GB thats sold separate.

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# motorstormGuest 2007-04-20 02:54
not to mention the complete and utter lack of anti aliasing so everything is as sharp and as jagged as it could possibly be

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# swoopsGuest 2007-04-20 03:56
This is now unfortunatly for xbox 360 owners where the PS3 has its chance to swoop down and take over the xbox 360 sales. With the new Elite at $479 and the PS3 at $599, I would expect for sony to make a price reduction to take the lead. If Sony cut the PS3 by $50 the price difference is only $70 and more people will lean towards the PS3 because of brand name and it is offering more for your money.

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# ^Guest 2007-04-20 04:32
motorstorm blows ass ArcaneView knows what he's talking about d00ds

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# loserGuest 2007-04-20 05:36
Motorstorm is awesome. Take a look at the particle effects, physics, and playing online with people screaming at each other.



Why would people stop and look at the scenery, its a racing game. Idiot.

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# 1080pGuest 2007-04-20 05:51
Actually Virtua Tennis 3 for both the 360 (which i own) and the ps3 is 1080p no matter what connection you use. and i believe NBA homecourt is the same

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# Yes, I feel shaftedGuest 2007-04-20 06:02
As one of the initial lot who preordered the 360, didn't get it until mid December (luckily at that), and felt from the very beginning that a 20GB HDD was way to small... yeah, I feel shafted.



At minimum, I'd rather see a 120GB HDD available for existing owners so I don't have to trade in for the extra storage. I believe games drive this market, not movies, and what is important is the needs of the gamers, not "HD enthusiasts". I seem to recall it being the hardcore gamers who were asking for these features from the beginning.

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# IT WILL BEGuest 2007-04-20 06:41
The 120gb HDD WILL BE available as an add-on!

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# dumb articleGuest 2007-04-20 09:31
Some of Gamepro's reasons are just plain stupid. It's not expensive enough to be elite? Come on now..... and then right below that they say the only thing that makes it elite is its price.



I think it's pretty awesome for the most part. HD-DVD would be nice, but we can't have it all. WiFi should definitely be integrated. To me, the only thing holding me back from upgrading is that it uses HDMI 1.2. WHY? 1.3 is readily available and provides TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus. I think I'll wait for the "Premium Elite" (You know it's coming).

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# not exactly trueGuest 2007-04-20 09:37
In order to view 1080p on the 360 your TV must support TrueHD over component (something very few TVs do because of HDCP bull*****), which would be a great reason to add HDMI to the 360, but only if they were going with HDMI 1.3, which from early reports it's been reported that Microsoft is using HDMI 1.2 (doesn't support TrueHD).

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# you idiotGuest 2007-04-20 09:44
Blu ray is selling better than HDDVD, and if you want HD movies with the 360, you have to buy an add on for $200!! the 360 isnt a HD system, you have to pay extra for it like always with microsoft. and the ps3 is a year younger than 360, and companies have had a year longer to work with it so of course they can use the hardware better by now you idiot!! just wait a year, then we will see how the games look. microsofts redicuclous overpricing will be their downfall ( $180 for 120 gig HDD and $100 for a piece of crap wireless card, just two examples)

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# ...Guest 2007-04-20 10:55
wifi isn't very practical for online gaming or downloads.. its too slow. and the 120 gig HD is going to be VERY useful when the TiVO-like service is launched later this year.

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# windowsGuest 2007-04-20 11:43
Do you think your mom is going to be sporting linux anytime soon? even the most user friendly flavor of linux is to complex for most ppl. yet set them infront of windows and they can do just about anything. THAT is why windows is a good os.

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# Get a life, or at least do something differentGuest 2007-04-20 11:44
OK why are you losers coming on this website to tell us your retarted opinions huh?! Are you trying to impress people with your knowledge or are you just bored?



Jesus go find something to do and stay off this crudy site. As for Me I think I will go play some Guitar Hero II on my 360 now for hours on end. I hope you folks do the same.

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# ?Guest 2007-04-20 13:03
What exactly are you doing now?

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# to billGuest 2007-04-20 13:20
couldn't you be hooked up to a HDTV and download high definition movies?

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# HmmmGuest 2007-04-20 14:27
So first you tell me I won't be disappointed, then you tell me there's one game worth picking up.... Interesting....

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# IdiotsGuest 2007-04-20 14:30
Christ do five seconds of f*cking searching Google before posting idiotic sh*t like this guy, THE 120GB WILL BE AVAILABLE SEPARATELY.

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# No Wireless?Guest 2007-04-20 14:56
" wifi isn't very practical for online gaming or downloads.. its too slow. and the 120 gig HD is going to be VERY useful when the TiVO-like service is launched later this year."



I guess you don't know anything about networking.

Lets pretend that you are using the slowest wireless protocol available right now (802.11b) thats 11mbps.

Realisticly you are looking around ~7mbps

Most connections are 1.5-6mbps right now, so how would this affect gaming? Especially the fact that it would be using 802.11g anyways (54mbps)!



Anyways,



The elite is a waste of money, i'll stick with my ps3 and buy myself a 200GB sata notebook drive in the future if i really need it!

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# wifi is plenty fastGuest 2007-04-20 16:16
My cable modem and wireless router are in my room, so I use a wired connection while my roommate uses wifi (802.11g, same as current 360 wireless adapter mind you). We play a lot of games and download music/movies all the time. There is little-to-no speed difference in my connection and his. To say that wifi isn't practical for online gaming or downloads is ridiculous. Plus, your breakdown above is flawed:



Average internet connection: 5 mbps

Speed of 802.11g: 54 mbps



Unless you have tons of other machines on your network eating bandwidth (or your signal strength is weak) you'll notice no difference.



I guess you don't know anything about networking.

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# ...Guest 2007-04-20 17:13
you're right.. i don't know much about networking technically speaking. but i do from experience that playing on wifi systems, or agains wifi opponents is almost always laggy compared to my cable connection. i personally don't think the elite is a waste of money, especially with the number of games available and TiVO coming out in a few months. but stick with your PS3 and enjoy the *****ty ports of 360 games (minus oblivion).

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# To BillGuest 2007-04-20 17:36
So are you telling me that I should be owning a 360 to watch movies?????????? I thought I was buying a video game system? Since when did the video game consumer care so much about movies? I think that Microsoft is the SMARTEST company between the two. Sure, they make some money in the retail outlets like EBGAMESTOP by selling some extra accessories, but my point is that you have a system that plays games and is 100% concentrated on games. Then you have PS3, that isn't concentrated on a single thing but their own agenda on Digital dominance (Blu-Ray), multimedia functionality (that the average consumer knows nothing about hence the poor PSP sales), and a TERRIBLE line-up of games. Now HeXen, I think that Motorstorm is actually a good game but it takes more than 5 exclusive games (only 2 are good) to make a machine sell at $600. I think that if we see Blu-Ray players going down to $400 you'll see a significant drop in sales on the PS3. I also think that HD-DVD is a piece of crap. As long as DVD videos can be bought between $14.99 and $19.99 the DVD will reign until HD equipment is cheaper (like in the low hundreds and not the thousands). Challenge me if you will but HD is not NOW that's why the Wii only supports 480P because even Nintendo knows that right NOW is not the era of HD, it will be soon but not until after Feb 1, 2009 (All cable/satelite will be HD only on that date unless an extension is passed)....... So to finish my dispute on this. The elite, not crap, the pro, not dated, the core, not a waste and lastly I leave you with a mathematical statement -- WiiPS3

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# HaGuest 2007-04-20 17:40
I agree, normally I dispute things but I agree with you on this.

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# Please!!!Guest 2007-04-20 19:25
we can't have it all, why not? we are the ones that feed Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft.

If it is elite, why not sell it as that? I mean they could easily sell it for $600 with built-in HD-DVD and HDMI 1.3 and 120gb HDD.

Elite means the best of the best, and certainly this version of our beloved (or at least appreciated) xbox 360 just isn't.

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# noGuest 2007-04-20 19:48
To Jin Wu, I wont buy that for a minute. It is ATI video, and all of their video technology has supported digital output for years now. There is no way the 360 videocard is incapable of digital.



To Constantinecy, 1: I have no interest in any of those crappy PS3 games. 2: 720p is the HD standard until 2009. 3: my TV is a 720p, so 1080p does NOTHING for me. 4: when you suggested that I use VGA over a digital signal, you proved you dont know what you are talking about.

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# Getting One on launch dayGuest 2007-04-20 23:28
Its still Elite for me, Im getting One on launch day, far worse things have been said of the PS3 and why you should not buy One, who listens or cares about someones personal views ? I dont...

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# Windows is a good OS?Guest 2007-04-21 02:36
Windows is an operating system with a fantastic user interface. That doesn't make it "good". Even with Vista, their security model comes down simply to asking permission before completing actions which alter the system. Most likely people will be annoyed by this and just set everything to run as administrator. Windows' flaw is in security. Don't get me started on the false terminology it uses for various things in the OS. That terminology is subtle, but is instrumental in stopping people from using other OS. To paraphrase windows update - it says... refers to updating your OS/software as "updating your computer". This implies that windows is a necessary part of a computer. 90% of people out there still think this. Need I say more?

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# ?mylastresort77 2007-04-21 05:30
just play your games and be happy. doesn't matter which system you have, or which one is better. if you really like one particular system then thats the one for you, may not be the best one for someone else, but hey thats why we have choice in the market. and it may not be much of a choice, but its better than nothing at all. hell, i though games were supposed to be fun to play, not so boring that people have to resort to *****ing about which one is better. i deal with it and play.

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# Wireless is uselessGuest 2007-04-21 09:00
Forget Wireless its rubbish and unreliable, get a Super Flat 50ft Cat 6 cable for £3 from Ebuyer UK, its such a thin cable you can hide it anywhere and you will never get the connection dropouts that you get on wireless.



MS are right in giving you the option of wireless as they know wireless is crap for online gaming.

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# Look at the latest newsGuest 2007-04-21 09:04
Latest news on QJ, the Elite surpasses ALL expectations for orders.

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# to whatGuest 2007-04-21 11:28
yo, incase you havent heard, ms ships you new consoles so its more like 10 mil (lol)

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# 360 eliteGuest 2007-04-22 01:47
who cares if it doesn't have an hd-dvd player. hd-dvd mite not even win and if ms puts an hd-dvd drive in it and hd-dvd failes then ur screw'd. i'm not even kiddin i think this guy is a sony fan. i hate sony and i think they are a huge joke but i'm glad they are around. it keeps ms in check and ms keeps sony in check.

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# know ur factsGuest 2007-04-22 06:25
until a couple of moths ago u only had 90 days warranty so u don't know what u talking about. now that they most of the problems they giving u a whole year. but ether way if they give u a new one it doesn't mean your a new owner u just proved my point genius

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# firmwareGuest 2007-04-27 04:13
is it possible that microsoft could upgrade the 1.2 hdmi to 1.3 through a firmware update over xbox live?

Reply
 

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