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Two Versions of XBox360 Confirmed?

Posted by Zonk on from the twice-the-flavour dept.

63N1U5 writes "Sources close to Microsoft tell GamesIndustry.biz that the company plans to ship two versions of the new XBox console. The premium version of the console will include a hard drive, and could possibly ship with a version of Microsoft's WebTV installed." We've been reporting on this since the end of last year but it's nice to have some firmer details.

6 of 94 comments (clear)

  1. WebTV by Momoru · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I had the original WebTV. It sucked. But maybe with a highdef version of WebTV, it may be useable. It seems like MS is trying slowly but surely to have Xp Media Center and Xbox converge into the "tv top Windows appliance" they have always wanted.

    1. Re:WebTV by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      As a current X-Box owner, they might have tempted me with an X-Box/PVR combo about six months ago, but that ship has sailed.

      Mac mini 1.42MHz + EyeTV 500 = High-Def PVR bliss.

      It even playes WoW. :)

      If I buy another game console anytime in the next couple years, it will be whatever the next PlayStation is. I'm tired of waiting up to a year for each GTA release to be ported over.

    2. Re:WebTV by SunFan · · Score: 2, Insightful


      Given that media PCs have been poor sellers for a decade, now, Microsoft may be trying to _force_ media PC market penetration via the XBox. They would have to do this to compete against PVRs, for example.

      So...what would the kids say if daddy is recording American Idol when they want to play? Or what about when mommy wants to get some crystal off of ebay?

      --
      -- Microsoft is the most expensive commodity operating system and office suite vendor in the marketplace.
  2. Again with 'confirmed'. by hollismb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What is it with Zonk considering anonymous sources as confirmation of something? Until Microsoft says it, nothing is confirmed. This is just a more specific version of the rumor from November that came out regarding multiple versions of the Xbox. Likely? Yeah, but really it's all just speculation until the MTV special next month. Shudders at the thought of MTV as an actual source of information. And how come these anonymous sources never bother to mention for certain whether the HD version will have backwards compatibility?

  3. Re:The Premium version ships with a HD... by wallykeyster · · Score: 3, Insightful
    The current XBox has a hard drive in it, why wouldn't every XBox 360?

    Because it isn't needed? Rumor is that most games will not use the hard drive (instead using a some flash RAM). I believe that the hard drive will be required to play LIVE games, but to play a single player (or local multiplayer) will not require one on the 360. This will allow Microsoft to drop the price on their basic model, perhaps hitting $150 out of the gate. You want to bet they won't sell millions of these plus the LIVE kit?

  4. If you ask me... by IntergalacticWalrus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Using the word "confirmed" combined with a question mark is like saying nothing. You might just as well shut the fuck up.