Rumor: New Xbox 360 SKU coming May 1?
by Blake Snow 
{ Feb 19th 2007 at 9:30PM }
Is a new Xbox 360 SKU headed to retail or not? Well both 1UP and Game Informer reported on the matter over the weekend with varying bits of information and in light of recent price drop rumors.1UP suggests that Microsoft may have lowered existing 360 shipments in an effort to flush out old inventory in favor of newly enhanced hardware; like consoles with HDMI support and a larger hard drive. Game Informer was a lot more specific in saying: "Retailers have confirmed that the new SKU is in their systems, set for a May 1 release for $479.99. In addition to the new [HDMI] interface, the system would also pack a 120 GB hard drive into its nifty black exterior."
Keep in mind this is all conjecture, however, as Microsoft's Shane Kim told 1UP last week that the company has "nothing to announce at this time" regarding new SKUs. Still, the grapevine implies that something's brewing over at Microsoft's Xbox division.
[Thanks, Jonah]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Andrew Baisden @ Feb 19th 2007 9:33PM
with internal hd-dvd with 120 gigs wifi HDMI
then there would be no reason for ps3
even though i like ps3 better
dsub @ Feb 19th 2007 9:35PM
I believe it all except for the price increase. MS isn't that dumb. Pricing themselves any higher would be like shooting themselves in the foot. I say 120GB HDD, HDMI and the same price point.
LedRush @ Feb 19th 2007 9:37PM
Well, I don't know if this changes anything for me (I bought sans tax with a $50 rebate last summer). If I were a new buyer, I still think I would want the better looking and cheaper white one.
Pedro @ Feb 20th 2007 7:31AM
Dude, Luke Smith and Game INformer?
Talk about tweedle dee and tweedle dum.
LedRush @ Feb 19th 2007 9:39PM
If it was also HD-DVD, I would have severe buyer's remorse.
steve17 @ Feb 19th 2007 9:39PM
yeah, i read another article today saying that it would ship the same $400. with the cost of production down they can still make money.
there will be an explosion of sale when this hits. since tons of people have been holding out for the "zephyr" since rumors leaked a couple months ago.
bootsielon @ Feb 19th 2007 9:50PM
There's no way it'll have an internal HD-DVD at that price-point. Microsoft is shooting for profitability, and doesn't give a rat's ass about the format war; they just want Sony to lose, not another format to win.
If it's 479 for HDMI and 120 GB, it sounds reasonable; but still, it's not like people where holding on the 360 for its lack of HDMI or a large HDD. The only thing that could spurr is a small PS3 price drop or an exchange of PS3 HDDs.
This move could also mean (and I hope it does mean) a backlash on Microsoft, since no early adopter (such as myself) likes being left in the cold.
jay @ Feb 19th 2007 9:51PM
So 2 cheap white models and a more expensive black model?
How very Apple of you MS.
LedRush @ Feb 19th 2007 9:55PM
I didn't say it would have HD DVD. I only responded to another poster.
If the new one is 80 more, I wouldn't care. If it's the same price, I would be a little peeved, but I don't care too much for HDMI.
Demi @ Feb 19th 2007 10:07PM
@ jay
Oh yeah, because its the color and not the HD DVD, HDMI, and 120GB hard drive that increases the price.
Don't be a dick, man. You are what you eat.
udx @ Feb 19th 2007 9:58PM
Hey. I didn't want to pay $499/599 for a PS3. Why do I want to pay $479 for a more souped up 360(Well, more souped up than the $399 model)
Alan @ Feb 19th 2007 11:09PM
If this is true I really hope there will be some sort of upgrade deal for those of us that already bought one.
Jay @ Feb 19th 2007 10:06PM
They may now be cutting costs to make money, but that doesn't mean that they're going to give you a 120GB hard drive and an HDMI port for free. So, the $479 price does make sense. If it had wifi....NOW you're talking.
I wonder if they will have an upgrade program. For example Premium X360 owner can upgrade for $100. Probably closer to $150, but it would be the fair thing to do.
TheHostileDwarf @ Feb 19th 2007 10:09PM
I'll be happy with a 120 GB HD on sale and an easy way to transfer my shit from the old HD. Probably won't happen and I'll have to buy a memory card as well, but one can hope.
Jimmuy Bay @ Feb 19th 2007 10:11PM
"Retailers have confirmed that the new SKU is in their systems, set for a May 1 release for $479.99. In addition to the new [HDMI] interface, the system would also pack a 120 GB hard drive into its nifty black exterior."
"We aren't jealous of anything about the PS3." - MS/Peter Moore
It's black, has HDMI from the box, and has a bigger harddrive. Let's jsut call it PS3 attempt #1. This is why MS pisses me off at times. SO arrogant.;
Back_Lit @ Feb 19th 2007 10:35PM
Eh, whatever. I got a 360 today because of a deal way too sweet to pass up. 20% off anything in store + 15% off if you used your Meijer credit card + another 10% off if its your first credit card purchase. So what was my grand total?
$258.
:)
Hardcore @ Feb 19th 2007 10:16PM
If it's $480 and is only HDMI and larger hard drive, that would make the $600 PS3 a better deal...since
$480 + Wifi($100 INSANE) + $200 HD-DVD Add on = $780 vs PS3 with Wifi and Blu-Ray for $600.
Ian @ Feb 19th 2007 10:19PM
@Jimmuy Bay
My god, why do you think they are emulating the PS3? Those additions they are probally making are things that the 360 consumer base has been crying out for since it was announced! It was only logical for them to listen to their consumers (a shocker for M$ to be sure but still...).
nick @ Feb 19th 2007 10:20PM
I have noticed the inventories of 360s becoming more scarce as of late, whereas in January, it seemed like everyone had piles of them. I figured the 360 was selling well. Never considered they may be trying to exhaust inventories to prepare for a new model. But this would make sense.
A new color would certainly be welcome. While the white is cool looking and all, it doesn't match any of my equipment.
And a larger hard drive is perhaps the one item we've all wondered why it hasn't appeared. I'm not running out of room on my 20GB yet, but I'm definately over the half way point. Then again, I'm not downloading TV shows, so I'm sure that would eat up room. The games (saves) aren't taking up any room, nor is the 20 odd XBLA games or demos I have.
The HDMI interface is welcome, but not a necessity for games. It does provide a simple interface, which I like, but I'm not aware of it improving the quality of games over other HD cables available. Now if used in conjunction with HD DVD, then yeah, it makes total sense, assuming they ever enable protected movies... which is years away.
The other things I'd like to see... quieter drive, which I understand is already available in newer models, and perhaps a smaller power supply.
I wonder if this means they'll drop the existing core.
copa @ Feb 19th 2007 10:26PM
Microsoft can't possibly be this stupid. They are competing very successfully against Sony right now, and have developed an identity with the XBox 360 that has a much better reputation than the PS3 currently.
For them to turn their box into a PS3 clone (overpriced, black case, larger hard-drive, HDMI support) would be suicidal. There would be a lot less differentiation between the consoles, and they would open the door for Sony to get back in this thing.
I'd love to see HDMI support, without a price increase, because that's how we get upscaled DVD playback without color-draining VGA interfaces.
But who really wants to see a black SKU? In comsumers minds, black is associated with boring (original XBox, PS3), while white is associated with fun (Wii!).
REUYL @ Feb 19th 2007 10:27PM
$479? Black?
Screw that, just give me a 20GB 360 with the cooler 65nm processor.
Jay @ Feb 19th 2007 10:32PM
IPTV is coming to the Xbox 360.
And I believe you need two very important things for that to happen: a significantly large hard drive, and a HDCP compatible port (like HDMI).
Not to speculate much, but the dashboard theme in which they were showing off IPTV at this year's CES just so happened to be the color black.
JJ @ Feb 19th 2007 10:35PM
But Copa,t he PS2 is black as well and thats considered "fun" by most if holiday sales are any indication =)
I think black is just the defacto electronics color
Arno @ Feb 19th 2007 10:41PM
I don't think I'm too crazy about the black. If it also comes in white then I'll probably upgrade and ebay the old one. Either way I can't wait.
steve @ Feb 19th 2007 10:48PM
ooo that means the white ones should have price drops
even though i prefer the color black....
as long as i can upgrade the hdd and it has the quieter dvd drive in it im fine
i dont care much about the 65nm processor because all of the 360 games that come out will run on both
Gianni Gotti @ Feb 23rd 2007 5:40PM
It gets even better:
The version of Halo 3 for the new version will have 5 extra multiplayer maps 'cause they could fit them on to the HD-DVD drive....
Those of you with the "legacy" system can download of course... for a cost.
Buwahahaha
mike @ Feb 19th 2007 10:57PM
I only care about the hdmi portion. In july im buying an hdtv. I would like the best possible interface, since my tv will support hdmi 1.3, I will get much better colours (assuming of course the new hdmi equiped 360s have hdmi 1.3). Im sorta in a jam here, cause I have the extended warrenty on my old system too. wouldent want to spend anymore then $100 total on an upgrade.
James @ Feb 19th 2007 11:03PM
So basically, a PS3 would cost $20 more and get you a Blu-ray drive. I'd take that over the larger hard drive (which are non-proprietary and cheap and easy to upgrade on the PS3).
I though MS was all about value, not rip-offs?
steve17 @ Feb 19th 2007 11:05PM
lol. okay guys. its not black. that was a "nifty" trick by joystiq. its a 360 black replacement case. http://www.decalgirl.com/browse.cfm/4,4150.htm
and microsoft hasnt even announced it themselves yet. we can rely on retailers reporting a new SKU in their systems. and regaurdless. a SKU is the product number. it doesnt give specs of its specialized features let alone this data wont tell u what color it is.
ooo...and did i read up there somewhere someone said MS copied sony with a bigger hard drive. lol the first xbox had a hard drive. ps2 tacked it on too late and half ass it with non of the features the promised. so any association with hard drives in game console isnt MS copying sony. other way around.
tmmoore_nc @ Feb 19th 2007 11:16PM
It'd only be worth it if it had Wifi built in, but of course it won't >_
Iridium @ Feb 19th 2007 11:25PM
Well for one thing Ana, the scaling chip, won't work over HDMI. Its not a digital scaler so the 360 would be in the same boat as the PS3 with resolution scaling over the HDMI port.
Microsoft could have built a new scaling chip into a new model but that would have added a lot to the cost. A 120gb hard drive is another high cost item. a 60gb drive barely costs more than a 20gb at wholesale cost but 2.5" 120gb drives are still very expensive.
It is well known that IPTV will not work on current 360's since studios are not willing to stream content without HDCP. Microsoft needs to do something to counteract Sony's ability to send a vast store of entertainment content that they already own.
Microsoft can always lower the cost of the current 360 but that would really make the unit look like a market loser when people know it will be totally hadicapped compared to the new model. Anyway you look its a bad move. Unless those who bought 360's really don't care about throwing more money Microsoft's way.
Pete C @ Feb 19th 2007 11:36PM
Jimmuy Bay said "It's black, has HDMI from the box, and has a bigger harddrive. Let's jsut call it PS3 attempt #1. This is why MS pisses me off at times. SO arrogant."
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Dude, OMG you cannot be serious! MS is the arrogant one? Let's take a walk down Sony memory lane:
-------------QUOTES BY KEN KUTARAGI-------------
"The next generation begins when we say it does."
"Beating us for a short moment is like accidentally winning a point from a Shihan (Karate master), and Microsoft is still not a black belt. Just like with their operating systems, they might come out with something good around the third generation of their release."
“I believe we made the most beautiful thing in the world. Nobody would criticize a renowned architect’s blueprint that the position of a gate is wrong. It’s the same as that.”
“Microsoft shoots for the moon. Sony shoots for the sun.”
"This time, Microsoft has stated clearly that it is going after PlayStation. However, they're going not after the PlayStation 3, but the PlayStation 2. They were looking at 2, and that's why Xbox 360 became like that."
“With the PS3, our intentions have been to create a machine with supercomputer calculation capabilities for home entertainment.”
PS3 is “for consumers to think to themselves ‘I will work more hours to buy one’. We want people to feel that they want it, irrespective of anything else.”
“The PS3 will instill discipline in our children and adults alike. Everyone will know discipline.”
“Microsoft is trailing behind us, but they are not a threat. They are good at improving [on products], but we will be advancing to the next level with revolutionary technology.”
------------
I'm sorry, but when it comes to arrogance in the videogame world, it begins and ends with Ken Kutaragi.
steve17 @ Feb 19th 2007 11:58PM
nice pete c. i hate ken kutaragicocksucker whatever his fuckin name is.
i wonder what he thinks about on those lonely sleepless nights. knowing sony is crumbling underneath him and playstation bit off more than it can chew. noone trusts a damn thing sony says anymore. they lie with empty promises then fabricate figures and numbers to protect themselves. never admitting they have done wrong. i honestly feel sorry for sony fan boys. while sony isnt the worst it could be if your missguided enough to support this company then u will be felt in the dark with empty pockets and a really shiny paperwieght.
Arno @ Feb 20th 2007 12:02AM
Good collection of quotes there Pete. Krazy Ken is always good for a laugh over the bullshit he spews.
Biofreak @ Feb 20th 2007 12:03AM
$480 is too much, they should bring it @ $400 and the old @ $300, then PS3 stands no chance in Europe.
extra $80 is just too much imo. People could get like 2 games on ebay, gears and something els for these money.
Arno @ Feb 20th 2007 12:13AM
Good collection of quotes there Pete. Krazy Ken is always good for a laugh over the bullshit he spews.
Shibathedog @ Feb 20th 2007 12:16AM
So is there going to be a 120GB HDD launching at the same time?
Jason @ Feb 20th 2007 12:28AM
I don't own any of the next (current, whatever) gen consoles because I run on a pretty tight budget 'round my parts, but if this turns out to be true, than why would anyone in my position want to plunk down 600 bucks for a 60 gig PS3 when I can get a 120 gig 360 for 480? From the sound of things, this seems to be the best over all system. Bigger hard drive, wireless controller that rumbles and runs off a pair of any AA batteries I can pick up. Plus I'm not having a format shoved down my throat. And I can upgrade I damn well please.
I think I see a Wii60 future for me.
Doing the math, 780 for two systems sounds ALOT nicer than 600 for 1.
And please, for the love of everything holy, do not factor in the hidden costs to me. I'm a solo gamer and I buy used whenever I can.
Jimmuy Bay @ Feb 20th 2007 12:44AM
Whatever guys bottom line is MS missed out on some stuff Sony brought to the table, now they have to redesign and come back with a system more expensive than their first attempt! Not to bash without reason.. this deserves to be bashed, MS ****ed up. Who knows? If it's 400 instead MAYBE i'll pick it for Halo. Until then MS has to prove to me they know what theyre doing.
syco @ Feb 20th 2007 12:54AM
Dear God, $450??? When you can buy a notebook-sized 120Gb hard drive for $85, this is LUDICROUS! It's highway robbery, we all know for a fact that the console by itself is $300 (already pointlessly expensive so all 4 HDTV owners can feel better about themselves).
Microsoft is charging $150 for a 120Gb hard drive.
This is unacceptable, and I refuse to give them any money until they offer their console at a reasonable price. I know it must be easy to write that price on the box when the f'ing PS3 is sitting there, but nobody is actually buying the PS3 at that price... Someone needs to tell Microsoft that they need to be looking at the Wii's pricetag, not Sony's.
me @ Feb 20th 2007 1:06AM
THIS IS FUCKING BULLSHIT. THIS CONSOLE WILL NEVER EVER EVER BE AVALIABLE. ARE YOU ALL STUPID OR WHAT?? plus i want to say, ps3 suck a lot
Virtua Fanboy @ Feb 20th 2007 2:01AM
@ 62:
A-freakin-men. Get a flippin life people, MGS4 probably isn't coming to 360 and this new skew is BS. Deal w/it man, I mean most of you already have 360's anyway right? Why would you go and reward someone $400 more of your parents money for not offering the best product in the first place? Just for some stupid useless ass HDMI cable because some $ony loving dumbass has one? Try maintaining some dignity people.
P.S. Don't mean to troll but come on guys, sheesh.
Cuja @ Feb 20th 2007 2:12AM
HDMI being completely digital is excellent interface for upconverting DVD movies to 720p or higher and suffers no interferences or degrading whatsoever like analog cables. My original Xbox has PC standard size 160 GB HD internally. So I don't see a problem there. The 3 core Powermac might be going to 45nm. Also IBM has develop the world's fastest ram (same type used in 360 ATI GPU). WiFi would be nice. As for a HD-DVD built-in? I see no reason for it. Upconverting DVD movies looks pretty damn good. First gen HD-DVD and Blueray Disk as of right now are not worth the extra expense. But streaming Hi-Def material thru a network is far greater. Along with web surfing, IPTV, and DVR capabilities, this jet black 360 for $479 looks a lot better than a kitchen appliance off white.
rfom @ Feb 20th 2007 2:49AM
If this comes out...you have to feel sorry for those 360 purchasers / fans, not that they dont deserve what they got. So you buy a console that breaks down, overheats, noisy drive, pathetic backward compatibility, no HDMI, No HD, No hard disc (Core owners) or a paltry 12 GB free (premium), no multiplayer (250 dollar lifetime cost over 5 years), just 3-4 good exclusive games over a year and a half...and MS uses these fools to build a 10mn userbase to swing developers their way and then come out with the real deal: less noisy hard drive, 65nm chips to reduce heating, HDMI maybe even HD, etc etc. Why dont you come over the PS3 notice boards to pass their "Wisdom" (PS3 too expensive blah blah) so that we can all have a good laugh at you?
npjeff @ Feb 20th 2007 2:50AM
That's swell people!
Gee, 10 million users "used" by microsoft just for a head start. It's bad enough that the old/ original xbox owners were abandoned.
History may repeat itself. Oh well the early adopters of the "white" xbox 360 owners (the beta testers) can just upgrade and spend a new $479 b/c they have this huge library of games already and always want the "latest and greatest".
Admit it! when this new sku comes out -> all of you all will want it and the IPTV stuff (you will probably be charged for this subscription -> with microsoft nothing is free but they are free to nickle and dime ya).
The 20 gb model is too small. Any news on an upgrade hard drive??? -> how much will microsoft nickel and dime y'all then for the larger hard rive (if it even exits).
- Hopefully too the new one will be MORE RELIABLE, QUIETER (not sound like a blow dryer), NO RED EYE OF DEATH STUFF, and have built in WIFI too.
MAN I'M GLAD I WAITED. Better xbox 360 here i come.
ME @ Feb 20th 2007 3:55AM
??? youre all crazy. An upgrade like that have NEVER occured and WILL NOT occured. Ms is not stupid, if they product a new 360, about 2 000 000 will be angry. Belive in any rumors you want, but the 360 will stay like it is now!!! I dont belive some people are crazy enought to think this is true...
GoonieGooGoo @ Feb 20th 2007 5:32AM
I love the individuals (like # 46) that love to say things like.... "OOO...I waited...I'm so smart. You early adopters got screwed....I'm getting the newer model"
Let's analyze this statement and why we pity....rather than envy....you:
1) you are too poor to be an early adopter or afford a new console before a price drop.
2) you have not been playing any next-gen games for over a year....while we have been basking in HD Gaming goodness...and some Wii Play.
3) Most early adopters....guess what??....will upgrade their systems then shift their old systems to relatives or their 2nd (or 3rd) HDTVs.....or their vacation houses.
HA!
Mikeo @ Feb 20th 2007 5:50AM
@46
So, all the time you've been trolling, we've been playing. Sums that up pretty much.
I don't believe 1/2 of the people on the internet who ARE going to buy a 360 after "optimizations". It's just a stupid flame-repellent quote after all.
TDR25 @ Feb 20th 2007 7:16AM
I don't have one yet, because I'm not one of the rich early adopting brats that buy just because it's the new thing. Either way, this is good for me. They got the new 1 year warranty, the system in black, HDMI, and a lot of good content coming. For all those complaining, it's simple...nobody's making you buy the new one if you have the old one. Microsoft owes you nothing, you either buy it or you don't. Either way Microsoft still makes money off of broke people that can't live without their products.
Jake @ Feb 20th 2007 8:31AM
At least someone, I believe Jay, nailed it. I think the 360 will soon become the media center it set out to be. With the larger drive and HDMI they can make it IPTV. With a couple inputs, it could be a DVR as well. 20Gb is plenty for me, but once I start renting HD movies I run out of space quick.