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Leaked X-Box 2 Specs Include PPC CPU

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the two-scoops-of-acronyms dept.

Jutebox150 writes "According to the MercuryNews.com, the specifications for Microsoft's successor to the Xbox were revealed. The specs for the next Xbox, at least according to this report, are as follows: Three IBM-designed 64-bit microprocessors, the same chips now used in Apple Computer's high-end G5 PowerMac. This will give the new Xbox 'more computing power than most personal computers.' A graphics chip designed by ATI Technologies that will clock in with speeds faster than the upcoming R400. But what I found most surprising is there are no talks about an internal hard drive, rather suggesting that the next Xbox will instead rely on flash memory, and, depending on hardware cost, backwards compatibility could be out of the question."

13 of 753 comments (clear)

  1. Next Xbox Thoughts... by ChaoticChaos · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm thrilled over the potential processing power of the new Xbox. I love my Xbox and more Xbox goodness is headed our way.

    I have mixed feelings about backwards compatibility. While being able to play current games on the next Xbox would be nice; too often, hardware/software is seriously crippled because of backwards compatibility. I would dare say that a lot of the long overdue innovation in Microsoft's Windows line was due to being handcuffed with compatibility issues. It may be that someone or Microsoft will release an emulator for the old games as well after the next Xbox is released. That is a possibility.

    I totally don't understand not putting a hard drive in the system. That is a monster step backwards. What are they thinking? I enjoy being able to download and play new levels for current games, that would probably not be possible without a hard drive.

    The one thing I'm most concerned about and I don't hear anything about yet, is, are they going to allow a keyboard and a mouse on the next Xbox? That needs to get done. Sony allows it on the PS2. The Xbox is never going to be strong in the MMO arena without allowing a keyboard and a mouse. First-person-shooters would be much more enjoyable with a keyboard and a mouse too.

    1. Re:Next Xbox Thoughts... by tommck · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Why not?

      They bought Virtual PC recently. That emulates X86 architecture on PPC, right?

      Seems like a perfect application for their newly acquired company.

      --
      ---- It puts the lotion on its skin or else it gets the hose again. It does this whenever it's told.
    2. Re:Next Xbox Thoughts... by drinkypoo · · Score: 5, Interesting
      What do you think the Xbox is? You think that's a custom-designed game console? It's a set top box PC. No chip in those things is anything but commodity hardware. The GPU is tweaked a little bit, it's true, but it's not substantially different from the geforce you can buy at costco or walmart or what have you. If it wasn't all commodity hardware it would cost too much to make a system with the Xbox's specifications. The GPU is an obvious exception since a graphics card is only current for a little while anyway, whereas just about every other chip in that xbox is good for something else.

      You can already put a USB keyboard and mouse on an Xbox, and software can utilize it. It's just a legacy-free PC without expansion, though clearly they were thinking about having twice as much ram in the system.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    3. Re:Next Xbox Thoughts... by Sparky77 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The reason there's no hard-drive is because they realized that they can make more money by sticking it to us with the hidden costs of memory cards.

      --
      One bad monkey spoils the whole barrel.
    4. Re:Next Xbox Thoughts... by DenOfEarth · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Besides, most gamers I know have more than one game system, so it is no big deal if they have yet another one.

      Right, and if I'm going to sink a bunch of money into a brand new top of the line console, then I am going to probably go for the one that can play the games which I already like and enjoy right away. Just because the PS2 is the first one to hit on this idea doesn't make it a bad idea by any means, and in fact, they are setting a precedent. In fact, it's a great idea, IMO, and I'd be super-excited by the new X-box if I'd be able to play all my current x-box game on it...It just makes it easier, really, as then I could get rid of the old x-box, and I would only need the one machine.

      The other thing is that adding backwards compatibility may not necessarily bring out those hardcore gamers that will buy multiple consoles anyways, but they aren't really the ones that a console comapny really worries much about. They'll buy the hardware anyways, like you said. Where the backwards compatibilty comes in nice is for that group of people that only really want one console, and already have a bunch of games for an older generation box. They can then keep all their games, and still only have one console. The hardcore folks can have their five or six different consoles if they want, but I only really want one good one. If there's no backwards compatibilty in the Next X-box, then I have no extra bit of incentive to stay with the platform for the next generation, meaning I could just as easily jump to a PS3 or the next nintendo or whatever.

    5. Re:Next Xbox Thoughts... by pubjames · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If it wasn't all commodity hardware it would cost too much to make a system with the Xbox's specifications

      That's the kind of thinking that has got MS in so much trouble with the X-Box, and why they are loosing so much money on it.

      When you are making 50 million of something which are all exactly the same then it is cheaper to design and manufacture specialist hardware than to use "off-the-shelf" components.

      I remember reading the Wired article about the X-Box and remember thinking "what a bunch of dumbasses". It was as if they thought the major electronics manufacturers don't try to shave every last penny off production costs when they create a mass produced item. And of course the last laugh is on them, making huge losses with every X-Box sold because it is made with "off-the-shelf" components whilst Sony continues to lower the unit cost of the PS2 because it has complete control over the production of the hardware.

  2. rely on flash memory/or-- by way2trivial · · Score: 5, Interesting
    rely on a broadband connection, games served up by microsoft, and a monthly fee per game required to play...

    which is the better financial model?

    --
    every day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
  3. backwards compatibility by jest3r · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I wonder if M$ will port an embedded Virtual PC to the new system to ensure backwards compatibilty. Three "G5's" should be able to achieve similar if not better performance than the current xbox 800 mHz? x86.

    Rumor has it Virtual PC 7 might have Direct 3D capabilities with Quake3 being playable on the 2Ghz G5 via the emulator.

  4. Hmmmmm sounds familiar by Paladine97 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    • Power PPC cpu.
    • ATI graphics processor.
    • Flash memory.
    • No hard drive.


    Can somebody say Gamecube?
  5. No HD by ShieldW0lf · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I believe that they want to remove HDs from peoples homes, and have everyone store their data on MS servers.

    You'll pay a monthly fee to use your account and get terminal access to the approved software suite and library of games. Migrating to another platform will become well-nigh impossible.

    And if you're a small-time developer? There's always telemarketing....

    --
    -1 Uncomfortable Truth
  6. No backwards compatibility? by rdewalt · · Score: 5, Interesting

    That's a stab in the back as far as I'm concerned. Yes, I have an X-box, and I can play the Xbox games on it.

    But, as a part-time salesdroid, one of the larger selling points of the PS2, at least as far as "Parents buying for Kids" is concerned, is that they can just plug in the PS2 where the PS1 is, the OLD games still play on it, and the new games will as well.

    To me, that was one of the wisest decisions of Sony, as well as keeping the -same- form factor of their interconnects. Nintendo was close, but had the N64 been able to play the NES/SNES games out of the box? There would have been no contest in that segment of the console wars.

    No HD? Fine, I can deal with that. I'll get a mem card. I have one for my OTHER consoles, I can do that with the Xbox2. But -please- don't make me have to purchase an additional kit just to play DVD's... my PS2 doesn't need it, why should the Xbox?

    Also, ditch the "Xbox Only" games. FINE, so your competitors can get a shot at them. If your hardware is -superior- are you really worried? These days, since I now own pretty much all of the 'current' consoles, if I'm getting a game, I go for the one that looks, and 'feels' the best. I'm not a platform zealot.

    And take a lesson from the Nintendo Book Of Things To Not Do. (That they seem to be good at writing, but never reading from.) Don't make your controller look like a Klingon Hand-to-Hand weapon. Don't add more buttons Just Because You Can.

    And while you're at it, sure, your games are targetted at "Mature Gamers"... from my experience as a salesdroid, that's where you're losing to all the other systems. Other than "Barbie rides a horse again" game for girls, and the occasional sports game or what have you, 90% of your titles, a parent isn't going to purchase, even for a teen, because its Questionable. I'm not saying, take the Nintendo Route Of Least Offensiveness And Family Entertainment. Just take some of your Huge Wad Of Cash, and make a few Games Parents Will Buy For Their Kids. You don't know how many copies of Mario Party / Mario Cart I've sold to parent's who bought it because "Well, its a Mario game..."

    (Oh, like Microsoft will read my slashdot post and listen to me.)

  7. Microsoft wanst to ensure you don't remember that by cgenman · · Score: 4, Interesting

    According to the Microsoft developer specs, you aren't allowed to talk about "Data," "CPUs," or anything else in your games that might suggest the XBox was a PC (except for games like Star Trek where it would be diagetic). We had a game bounce from Microsoft because we "saved data." Having a first party keyboard and mouse would run counter to that mantra.

    It's difficult to justify buying a big box if you realize that it is actually a slightly smaller box than you already have.

    --
    The ______ Agenda
  8. "Insanely stupid"?! by Anita+Coney · · Score: 4, Interesting

    If the Xbox Next is not backwards compatible, it will be destroyed by the PS3.

    First, on the day of release the PS3 will be able to play all PS2, PS1, and the new PS3 games. Thus, it will have several times more available games than the Xbox Next.

    Second, people do not want to have multiple consoles in their living room, especially ones the size of the current Xbox. Sure, some people might have a PS2 and an Xbox, but when the Xbox Next and the PS3 are released, the choice will be easy. If you choose the PS3 you'll still only need two consoles. But if you choose the Xbox Next, you'll need three.

    Third, people don't like being screwed. When people invest in games and hardware, they like knowing that they don't have to throw them away every few years. Sony respects that and allows gamers to keep their investments.

    --
    If someone says he and his monkey have nothing to hide, they almost certainly do.