Joystiq hands-on: Xbox 360 Elite

by Christopher Grant { Apr 26th 2007 at 1:28PM }

Microsoft sent over an Xbox 360 Elite for us to tinker with, just days before its April 29th launch. First up on the agenda: unboxing the black beauty and sizing it up. Short of the black exterior, the "120GB" stamp on the hard drive, and the addition of an HDMI port on the back, there's little to superficially distinguish the Elite from its predecessor. Before we fire it up, here's a gallery of the unboxing ritual with captions on what's included. What should we check out first?

[Update: Done with that? Be sure to check out our Hard-Drive Transfer Kit hands-on and our Xbox 360 Elite Q&A.]

Gallery: Xbox 360 Elite hands-on

Tags: xbox360elite

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Quaddw @ Apr 26th 2007 1:33PM

Check for Ring of Death

Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 1:34PM

Looks really nice. Wish I could justify getting one, though. A year into the console's life and we are getting a system with a revised graphics card...There'll be another Xbox 360 before this generation is over.

Final Prototype @ Apr 26th 2007 1:35PM

I think you just about covered it with this single post. But I guess you could always test the data transfer...

I love my 360 but I could honestly care less about the elite. Probably cuz I was an early adopter of HDTV and got stuck with DVI.

Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 1:35PM

If you have two identical TVs do double blind tests between component and HDMI at 720p or whatever. See if anyone can tell the difference.

C. Grant @ Apr 26th 2007 1:37PM

Jason: haha, how much do you think we're paid?

Arturo @ Apr 26th 2007 1:39PM

Phew! well that's a relief. it comes with the hdd transfer kit yayy. i've been checking other places and most say it doesn't include it...those liars!!! *waves finger shamefully at them*

jason w @ Apr 26th 2007 1:39PM

I cant tell the difference on the PS3 from componet and hdmi when it comes to the same settings.

Steve @ Apr 26th 2007 1:41PM

Check to see if its quieter or louder (or the same) as the white version. Also, give us a rundown of how data transfers go.

Moe @ Apr 26th 2007 1:41PM

Is this the final packaging? If so, damn that's a mess. I've opened many product boxes ranging from a Wii,PS3 and Apple products and this one doesnt feel special. There's a special feeling when you open a box and you see a nicely packaged electronic product.

Tsunami @ Apr 26th 2007 1:42PM

We got our elites in yesterday as well. Like a 360 in a little black dress, that's all it is.

And for the record, the only difference between HDMI 1.2 on the 360E and DVI is the end connection. HDMI to DVI Cables exist and are fairly cheap.

Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 1:43PM

@7, Actually, the person who led the development of the Elite said the Elite will not come with the data transfer cable because he doesn't expect many people who already own an Xbox 360 to buy an Elite. He mentioned a special program to help these few individuals. That is why the data transfer cable isn't in packaging. They probably sent it to Joystiq so they could test preview it as well but it doesn't imply it's included in the retail box.

stranger678 @ Apr 26th 2007 1:45PM

@Arturo

Sorry to break it guy, but that HDD transfer is for Joystiq, it is NOT in retail packaging. I got mine over the weekend at a wal-mart that doesn't understand street date. And it doesn't come with it.

konajinx @ Apr 26th 2007 1:47PM

Wow, those are really nice blurry photos!

C. Grant @ Apr 26th 2007 1:50PM

konajinx: What can I say, it's overcast in Philly today! You can send a nice new DSLR to me, if you want. :)

n2 @ Apr 26th 2007 1:50PM

You know what I'm curious about the most...

Does it generate the same amount of noise as the prior models?

C. Grant @ Apr 26th 2007 1:51PM

stranger678: I think you're right. The kit was included separately. I've asked Microsoft to clarify.

Evilninja @ Apr 26th 2007 1:52PM

I'm going to second what Steve said. I will seriously run out and buy one of these things if they're quieter than the jet engine that revs up whenever I try to play Oblivion.

Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 1:52PM

@16 Exactly why I can't justify purchasing it. God, just charging the controller using the Play and Charge kit while the system is off will keep the power brick on and that thing alone is about as loud as my PC's grapic card. The PS3 is practically silent. When you stick a disc into the Xbox it goes crazy.

stranger678 @ Apr 26th 2007 1:53PM

@N2

I don't have an old model to compare it to. But mine does not have the BenQ drive. It is reasonably quiet when playing Arcade from the hard drive. (No more noise then my other consoles) When that DVD drive spins up, it sounds like a hairdryer. To be fair, I only bought gears of war with the console, and it has GREAT sound, so once I start playing, I don't notice at all.

But that DVD drive is definitely noisy.

Pixelantes Anonymous @ Apr 26th 2007 1:57PM

Does the autofocus on Christopher's camera suck or what?

Chocobo Knight @ Apr 26th 2007 2:00PM

Does it run quieter than its brethren?

pixelate @ Apr 26th 2007 2:01PM

looking at the audio port attachment:

http://www.joystiq.com/gallery/xbox-360-elite-hands-on/225416/

why does it look like red = left channel and white = right channel? that's not correct...

chris furniss @ Apr 26th 2007 2:01PM

Transfer cable! How easy is it to transfer your stuff? I MUST KNOW

SuedeGopher @ Apr 26th 2007 2:03PM

For the love of all that is holy, how noisy is it?

jc @ Apr 26th 2007 2:06PM

Are the shaky pictures caused by a crappy camera, or was the photographer coming off a month of binge drinking?

;)

Arturo @ Apr 26th 2007 2:07PM

If it's not included then wtf am i supposed to do to transfer my stuff??? buy the separate drive and sell the included one? fuck that :(

rob @ Apr 26th 2007 2:11PM

What kind of drive is in it? I read a previous blog which said it has the Hitachi. What about yours? Also, when was it manufactured?

Slacker @ Apr 26th 2007 2:12PM

I'm thinking of getting one of these. I hope mines not as blurry.

Myles @ Apr 26th 2007 2:15PM

Can you check if the HDMI allows 1080p upscaling of DVD's and play's HD-DVD's at 1080p.

Thanks!

Kizzle @ Apr 26th 2007 2:20PM

"30. Can you check if the HDMI allows 1080p upscaling of DVD's and play's HD-DVD's at 1080p."

I'll answer it for you now - yes.

Steve Reid @ Apr 26th 2007 2:24PM

Does the tranfer cable come with it or is it just for you guys?

Dan @ Apr 26th 2007 2:27PM

What should you check out first? Buoyancy.

Kizzle @ Apr 26th 2007 2:28PM

Oh, and if MS charges seperately for the transfer cable (as in, doesn't pack it with the 120 GB HDD and Elite system package), they can go f-themselves.

Jake @ Apr 26th 2007 2:30PM

I think the Elite has the same "noisy" drive as the others. I personally never, ever notice it when playing or watching a movie. Nobody I know with a 360, including myself, has ever mentioned the noise. That is more of a Joystiq internet thing. That, or maybe we just play with more volume that some of you guys.

konajinx @ Apr 26th 2007 2:31PM

C. Grant,

I'm in the Philly area as well. And though it is overcast today, I think the photo blur may have more to do with the DTs than the weather. ;)

Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 26th 2007 2:37PM

@24

duh, thats because you're looking at it from the back.

Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 26th 2007 2:37PM

I meant 23, not 24

Dolla Dolla @ Apr 26th 2007 2:40PM

My guess would be, if this sucker does have the BenQ drive, it would be just as loud as the white systems. Also, aren't they supposed to release some sort of patch that makes the DVD drive only load at specific times instead of consistently spinning? That is supposed to quiet things down a tad, methinks.

voghan @ Apr 26th 2007 2:42PM

1) How loud it is while playing a game?
2) Does HDMI make a difference in games
vs Component or VGA?
2) Does HDMI make a difference in movies
vs Component or VGA?
3) How hot does it get?
4) Does the dashboard seem faster?

pixelate @ Apr 26th 2007 2:42PM

@38

How is that any more the 'back' than the 'front'? They should have used an R and L.

dsub @ Apr 26th 2007 2:44PM

we got them in at EB yesterday along with all the accessories.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned anywhere, but the new black wireless controllers come WITH the play and charge kit. Pretty Cool.

Jason @ Apr 26th 2007 2:46PM

@Arturo, you just buy the 120GB HDD if you want it. Do you really need HDMI?

Muu @ Apr 26th 2007 2:48PM

Check for region lock. If they followed PS3's suit and decided to allow all-region playability, that could make some importers very happy.

Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 26th 2007 2:49PM

@41, If you're looking at it from the back you're seeing it from 'your' right and 'your' left. Its still properly made. Just look at it from the front, where the red will be on your right instead of your left.

JJZee @ Apr 26th 2007 2:50PM

Pixelantes Anonymous asked the right question. It hurt my eyes to look at the AWFUL focus on most of the pictures. Invest in a new one or use software to SHARPEN the images

dsub @ Apr 26th 2007 2:52PM

voghan-

1) How loud it is while playing a game?

just as loud as the other two 360's, which I would consider silent when playing the game at an average volume level. Unless you sit one foot from your 360, I don't understand how the sound can be that annoying.

2) Does HDMI make a difference in games
vs Component or VGA?

It will make a slightly noticeable difference on most TV's. Kind of like composite video vs. s-video. However, one big feature that it will allow is HD-upscaling when watching DVD's. In my opinion, HDMI is not worth it. I am content with component. However, I have a 32" HDTV, so any major quality difference would be barely visible on my set.

2) Does HDMI make a difference in movies
vs Component or VGA?

Yes. At least vs. component. Movies can be upscaled to 720p/1080i/1080p only through HDMI and VGA.

3) How hot does it get?

The same. It gets hot. So does the PS3, so does my computer, so does my car. Ventilate it, you'll be fine. You wouldn't deprive your car of coolant would you? So then why would you shove a 360 into a small tight space. It gets hot. Nothing is going to change that with the exception of the 65nm chips.

4) Does the dashboard seem faster?

No. It's the same hardware. Why would it seem faster?

I suppose the aim of your questions was to merely ask, "Is it worth it?" in my opinion, no, it's not. However, to someone who DOESN'T yet have a 360, I would highly advise spending the extra $80 to get 6x the HDD space and the HDMI port. That was MS' aim to begin with. They aren't trying to "resell" everyone a new 360, they are trying to make the 360 more appealing to those that may be considering buying one. Essentially giving them more options.

voghan @ Apr 26th 2007 2:54PM

@Arturo I was thinking of selling my data transfer kit to GameStop. I bought the HDD on Monday at CC. Not like I'll ever use it again.

Ryan LN @ Apr 26th 2007 2:56PM

I guess this means I'll be sucking it up and buying an elite. While I realize that there is no technologically necessary reason for me to own one, when you take into account that my old 360 is now 13 months old, is subject to occasional freezes that seem to be happening with increased regularity, and is no longer under warranty- parting with $200 or so after trade in before the old one goes kaplooey to get a new one with pristine parts and a freshly minted warranty seems like good idea.

pixelate @ Apr 26th 2007 2:58PM

@ 45--

OK, that's true-- the symbols are supposed to show directions in relation to the console. I still think it's a weird way to label it, because some people (as I did) will look at the symbol and think "left channel" and "right channel" instead of "this way" and "that way". Fortunately the colors are still there, but I was just pointing it out.