The Xbox 360 Elite is official, HDMI and 120GB for $479
by Christopher Grant 
{ Mar 28th 2007 at 12:01AM }
The 120GB hard drive will be available at retail for $179.99. Black wireless controllers, black battery packs, and black Play & Charge kits will also be available at retail for the same price as their white counterparts.
Gallery: Xbox 360 Elite
We had a chance to speak with Microsoft's Albert Pinello, who was able to answer many of our outstanding questions about the Elite. First, current Xbox 360 owners eager to connect their 360 using HDMI will be dismayed to learn that the HDMI connection "can not be adapted back to the existing consoles." The Elite also does not include an integrated WiFi solution. When asked why, Pinello offered the Xbox company line of "choice." Citing the bandwidth limitations of 802.11a, b, and g, Pinello suggested that consumers interested in the Elite would have undoubtedly prefer their own solution, a claim we would have to refute.
Why a whole new SKU? Microsoft had no interest in replacing the Pro's 20GB drive with a 120GB drive. Pinello agreed, "For a new customer who's coming in who wants that 120, if we didn't have Elite in the market, he would have been forced to make a choice that I think would have been less than optimal." Microsoft is positioning the Elite as a niche product designed for a small subset of gamers interested in the increased storage demands of the Xbox Live Video Marketplace (and possibly the IPTV service) and the HDMI output. It's also a bullet-point battle, adding twice the hard drive capacity and matching the HDMI-functionality of the 60GB PlayStation 3 model.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Kizzle @ Mar 28th 2007 12:04AM
And here people thought it might be a surprise that was a) surprising or b) good.
Lame as hell. Way to rape the hell out of people on that hard drive!
Ghost @ Mar 28th 2007 12:06AM
This only recognizes how Sony is right while also screwing over a large part of the user base.
Jebb @ Mar 28th 2007 12:07AM
rofl 180 bux for 120 gigs? WTF?
aaron @ Mar 28th 2007 12:07AM
"First, current Xbox 360 owners eager to connect their 360 using HDMI will be dismayed to learn that the HDMI connection "can not be adapted back to the existing consoles."
No, really (note sarcasm)?
Myke @ Mar 28th 2007 12:08AM
ouch, that hard drie price hurts. I'll be picking up a couple black wireless controllers though.
Moe @ Mar 28th 2007 12:09AM
Wait so with a wifi ($100) that's 580 bux. oh for another 20 bux i can get a ps3 with bluray+gigabit lab+wireless+media readers?
Kizzle @ Mar 28th 2007 12:41AM
And what a weak-assed cop-out on the WiFi. Yeah, we want to "choose" to buy your $100 plastic antenna that comes standard on both your competitors, rather than get it for free. We don't get the "a" band with the PS3/Wii? So what? How about you let THAT niche audience (how many of you NEED the "a" band?) "choose" if they want it and just provide the basic functionality that even the $250 Wii has?
Microsoft must really think consumers are stupid.
Either that or they just don't care and enjoy giving us the finger.
venk @ Mar 28th 2007 2:29AM
Any word on if the launch elites are going to offer the 65nm chips? Will I have to stand in line all night to get one on the 29th? :)
F @ Mar 28th 2007 12:11AM
To much for old tech
samfish @ Mar 28th 2007 12:10AM
Anyone want to place bets on how long these'll last on average before the RRoD appears?
F- Microsoft @ Mar 28th 2007 12:10AM
Thanks MS, for lying to us on IGN (and elsewhere) about HDMI being an option for the existing consoles.
Fucking scumbags. Crap like this is why the Wii is going to pass you and the PS3 will catch you.
John @ Mar 28th 2007 12:50AM
I cry bullshit still
this joke has gone too far.
ZenGaijin @ Mar 28th 2007 12:12AM
200 bucks for a larger harddrive?
They have got to be insane, ans still no Wifi.
TheHostileDwarf @ Mar 28th 2007 12:12AM
My only complaint is the cost of the harddrive. That's fucking ridiculous.
NoHitHair @ Mar 28th 2007 12:13AM
"It will use the "same components" as the existing Xbox 360 consoles..."
Then should we be expecting a similar ratio of "red rings of death"? If true, that's very unfortunate. This was an excellent chance for Microsoft to counter the persistent bad press.
Let's hope at least something has changed.
http://blog.myspace.com/nohithair
aaron @ Mar 28th 2007 12:13AM
F-Microsoft:"Thanks MS, for lying to us on IGN (and elsewhere) about HDMI being an option for the existing consoles."
How in the hell was it going to be an option on existing consoles when there was no true HDMI port to begin with? Shut the f@ck up, please.
うるさい @ Mar 28th 2007 12:17AM
Take note that they are supplying a cable for transferring from the other drive. That may allow you to change out the drive to something larger (cheaper) and copy the old data... :)
Chris @ Mar 28th 2007 12:16AM
Underwhelming >.<
It's what I get for hyping myself up. I hope tomorrows megaton isn't 'news' from months ago too...
No fault of Joystiq's, though. This falls on Microsoft's shoulders.
LR @ Mar 28th 2007 12:16AM
I don't recall MS ever saying HDMI would be an option on the 360. But they did say you really don't need HDMI, as it doesn't improve picture quality over existing HD cable options.
To me the big announcement here is the bigger hard drive. F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!
Dolla Dolla @ Mar 28th 2007 12:17AM
Color me unimpressed.
I would've preferred this be a limited run.
The 65nm processor can't come soon enough, and neither can a frickin' price drop.
Dan S. @ Mar 28th 2007 12:28AM
$180 for 120G!?!
I upgraded my 20G PS3 with a 100G drive for $80. I have a 360 but the only thing I want is the larger harddrive, but there is no way in hell I am paying that.
Action Hank @ Mar 28th 2007 1:28AM
It's official...ly dissapointing.
The decision to forego Wifi is a bad mistake at that price, and the standalone HDD at $180 is scandalous.
Microsoft is serisously risking the goodwill they've generated with the 360 so far with this SKU. It doesn't stack up well to the PS3 at all.
And I wonder if they'll even bother releasing the larger HDD in Canada, seeing as how we still don't even have access to the video marketplace...
Montana @ Mar 28th 2007 1:33AM
Any word on Canadian Availability?
dukemeiser @ Mar 28th 2007 12:18AM
Wow, why not buy a PS3 that can play Bluray discs so the HDMI is actually put to use?
nick @ Mar 28th 2007 12:22AM
Course with the bigger hard drive who needs HD discs?! You can simply download the HD movies directly to your larger drive.
Frosty @ Mar 28th 2007 12:22AM
what a bunch of whiners. Nothing can please you whiney brats. Don't like it, don't buy it. I'm happy to have options though.
I'm betting a price drop for the premium and core tomorrow.
Brandon Johnson @ Mar 28th 2007 12:25AM
I don't need the bigger hard drive I might get it later if I want/need it. And to those that are all complaining I heard from a friend that for that size of a hard drive runs around that price for a laptop anyway.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Mar 28th 2007 12:25AM
Yes Frosty, because a price drop on the lower SKUs is really gonna help this new OMFG expensive one sell...
F MS @ Mar 28th 2007 12:27AM
"How in the hell was it going to be an option on existing consoles when there was no true HDMI port to begin with? Shut the f@ck up, please."
Their rep stated last year, I believe in an IGN interview, that HDMI was possible on the current 360s. I wouldn't just make that up, do your research retard.
TwilightKnight @ Mar 28th 2007 12:28AM
This looks like a ploy by Microsoft to try to make money off of the Xbox brand for once. 200 dollars for a 120 gig harddrive is nuts in any imagination.
This is also showing how Microsoft is admiting that HDMI is important for that .1% of the gaming population that can actually use it. Good job there apealing to the peer pressure of the minority and making Sony look good. We all know that is never a good thing.
If MS had any sense of the gaming industry it would of added features that gamers would of wanted, like a year of free Xbox Live with the console or a wifi adaptor. That would of gotten more attention and warrented the seemily useless third SKU.
Remember kids the financial half year ends on March 31st. My personal favorite time of the year when we get to see how much money Microsoft lost on the Xbox brand this time. Even with the extremely rare chance that they actually made a profit in the gaming division this half year it is still in the hole by 5 billion at least. YAY!
うるさい @ Mar 28th 2007 12:30AM
It isn't that expensive people. Jeez.
@Brandon Johnson: I think not buddy, you can get a 160GB for $110.
Hardcore @ Mar 28th 2007 1:09AM
LOL so a 120 GB HD is the same price as their HD DVD player? Is this bizarro world?
Unit @ Mar 28th 2007 12:30AM
but but it's teh next-gen.......
うるさい @ Mar 28th 2007 1:38AM
@F MS
Possible and we are going to do it are two different things.
@ Everyone who says the drive is too expensive:
Upgrade the drive yourself. It isn't hard especially when that HD transfer cable will be floating around.
Mike Pernecky @ Mar 28th 2007 12:33AM
I wish people would stop bringing up the lack of wi-fi.
1) You can add it any time you want to reflect your current network. If you have .11n you get an "n" wireless card, same with .11a or .11b
2) If you are a true gamer you connect via hardwire.
CyberWuff @ Mar 28th 2007 12:34AM
@18 - "Wow, why not buy a PS3 that can play Bluray discs so the HDMI is actually put to use?"
- I think Microsoft is right, digital distribution is the way high-definition content is going. Certainly many like having the physical product, but... many more I think will enjoy just being able to download it and watch it and many other shows without having to even touch a disc.
The 120GB hard drive is a definate improvement, but is still rather pricey. But... still a better deal than the 20GB hard drive, per GB... 8)
I'm certainly interested in the possibilities of IPTV also; 'be interesting to see how that works.
Sonic_extreme @ Mar 28th 2007 12:36AM
Damm you guys don't get it. Since the PS3 is not really offering the 500$ unit as much and pushing the 60gb for 600$ more. A person wanting buy a console will still say.. WOW for 80$ more I get 6 times more HD space of xbox or twice the PS3 space + I get a HDMI cable.? Or should I get the 600$ PS3 + a 80$ Hdmi cable.? This is just a opinion after hearing less and less retailers are offering the 20gb ps3. For my brother who's been waiting to see what the new xbox would offer he just decided to buy it now cause just 1 month ago he would of only gotten a 20gb xbox.
Jake @ Mar 28th 2007 12:36AM
Ghost,
Are you totally clueless? How does this screw over the fanbase? Everything you could do with the 360 you purchased can still be done after the launch of Elite. You fanboys are insane sometimes.
I see the Elite as an essential price drop. 100Gb extra plus HDMI and an HDMI cable and a data transfer cable for an additional $80 is a good value compared to what was/is previously offered. Screwing over your fanbase would have been including HD-DVD or Bluray for games, forcing people to upgrade to play certain new 360 games. Your argument would be no less retarded if you bitched over a price drop, really.
This is nothing more than additional value to an upgraded system. Screwing your userbase is more like Sony adding analog to PS1 with some games requiring it, forcing you to pay more for different controllers to play certain new games. You don't need HDMI or a larger drive for any games. You may want it, HDMI is better for 1080P TV's and more convenient for Dolby sound, but there will never be a game that is playable on Elite but not on the 20Gb 360.
Try to join reality, please. You only look like a dumbass when you make stupid posts like that. nOOb
Quaddw @ Mar 28th 2007 10:01AM
I would love to know how they are deciding on how to price things.
Xbox Elite - Xbox Premium = 80$ for 100GB, HDMI Port, HDMI Cable, Black Paint, and HDD Transfer Cable.
So if all of those things add up to 80$ (Yes I relize they have probaly lowered production costs but if you ignore that), then why does buying a 120GB HDD cost 179.99$ o.0?
I would only consider getting this (God Forbid) my Xbox 360 died of pink(red) eye.
CONSPIRACY, they made the Ring of Death occur on purpose :P !!!!!
n2 @ Mar 28th 2007 12:37AM
A 320GB Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive cost $169.
Something is clearly wrong in Microsoftland. I'm not sure what they were thinking when the decided 120GB would cost $179.
I want a larger 360 hard drive more than anything, but I'm facing sticker shock.
TDR25 @ Mar 28th 2007 4:42AM
I'm not really an advocate of the PS3 at this moment, but I must admit it's starting to look like the better deal. I could be wrong about this, but at least with the PS3 you can add a larger HDD instead of paying almost $200 for the Xbox 360 HDD. If they put rumble back into the PS3, and get some better games, I may reconsider buying the Elite I was waiting for and go for the PS3...not likely that it will happen, but it's still a thought.
Cuja @ Mar 28th 2007 12:46AM
I won't splurge for another until it goes 65nm and quieter operation. Wifi would be nice, too.
うるさい @ Mar 28th 2007 12:39AM
@Mike Pernecky
[quote]
1) You can add it any time you want to reflect your current network. If you have .11n you get an "n" wireless card, same with .11a or .11b
2) If you are a true gamer you connect via hardwire.[/quote]
1) What BS is this? They could have added N for a whole $3-5, 10$ at the most. INstead they charge what? $100 for theirs. Rip off.
2) That is ridiculous. True gamer? Bend over a little more for MS, they can't quite get it in. There you go.
Brandon Paddock @ Mar 28th 2007 1:13AM
I have to disagree with Joystiq on the WiFi point. Even with 802.11n solutions, I could not get a good enough signal to stream HD content in my house. It just wasn't doable (to any device). Including a WiFi adapter would have been pointless for me and many like me.
There are 2 360s in my house, one is connected via ethernet and one is connected via Ethernet Over Powerline (Linksys PLK-200s) and both stream HD content beautifully with perfectly consistent network access.
I am absolutely certain that I am not alone in this situation. Yeah, WiFi is great for a whole ton of people - but why force more than half of buyers to pay for it who aren't going to use it?
F @ Mar 28th 2007 12:43AM
30..
You don't honestly believe you have to spend 80$ for a HDMI cable do you?
うるさい @ Mar 28th 2007 12:42AM
@Sonic_extreme
Shop around much? An HDMI cable is not $80.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240&style=
Jake @ Mar 28th 2007 12:47AM
dukemeiser,
Because there are many games you can play on a 360 that you can't play on a PS3. The 360 actually has many more good games and has been out for 16 months. I had logged 100s of hours of HD gaming on my Sony 720P HDTV before your precious PS3 was even released. I am still enjoying the hell out of my 360 and can guarantee I have more good games in my collection alone than the PS3 has total. Does that count as a reason? fuck movies, give me the games.
The funny thing is once the PS3 has some games worth a damn, I'll get one. Resistance is alright, Motorstorm is pretty and fun at first but very average overall if you ask me. Virtua Fighter is fine and all but the 360 version will be superior with online play and I much prefer human opponents all the time rather than just when I have a friend over that doesn't suck at games.
Hell, my argument got way more complicated than it needed to be. Let me rephrase.
Gears of War, Mass Effect, and Halo 3. There are more, of course, but those are 3 reasons a gamer can't dispute and you were only looking for one. So, there you have it. Consider yourself informed now. You're welcome.
Antonio @ Mar 28th 2007 12:48AM
I love my 360 but this is crazy. A $479 360 without HD DVD and wireless? I have the HD DVD add on and love it. HD cable doesn't compare and I like being able to watch HD movies when I want.
For $599 the PS3 offers a lot more. True, there's no real reason to buy the PS3 now, but once Wipeout Next comes out, I'l probably be at the store with my hard earned cash.
Still love my 360 - but this is stupid.
SickNic @ Mar 28th 2007 12:48AM
The 65mm chip was the only reason I wanted one of these. Now, I am not even remotely interested. I'll stick with my original. A $120 hard drive goes for around $60 on newegg.con. WTF??? So you are paying $79 for black paint, an HDMI port, and a larger hard drive? No thanks. MS shoulda just done a price drop on the existing SKU's...
Bobby Creekwater @ Mar 28th 2007 12:49AM
Consider this..
I was hyped about purchasing the "black" X360 and I have always disliked PS and have never owned one and would consider myself a true 360 fan boy.
With that being said, I just asked myself If I can spend $479 for a black X360 with HDMI why not put a few more bucks up and get a PS3 WITH Blu-ray and its already black! I never thought I would say this but Im getting a PS3...
Also people please learn about www.monoprice.com for your HDMI cables! I have several laying around the house because of this site so my HDMI wont cost me $80 bucks at all, more like $15