Mazeltov! It's an Elite ... and what the heck is that?

by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 29th 2007 at 4:50PM }

Today we celebrate the birth of the Xbox 360 Elite. The $479 console comes black as a moonless night is for all you folks who just gotta have those HDMI ports. Other than HDMI, the hard drive upgrade cost is frackin' ridiculous and we've got far better color options before dropping that kind of money. Hopefully those who decided to purchase the brand new Elite system, which we'd hope wouldn't have the same issues as the non-Elite, won't have the problem found in the video after the break.

As an aside, we really can't help ourselves on this one, what's that thing in the picture? Found in this week's Gamestop/EB Games flyer and sent in earlier this week by one of our tipsters, we didn't know what to think about this. Apparently Microsoft has come out with some kind of Xbox 360 lite: it's shrunk, inverted and altered. Either Gamestop accidentally leaked another Xbox 360 SKU (they've been known to do it) or this is a terrible graphic of the HDD-less, wired controller-having Core unit we all know ~~and love~~. Bring the flyer into the store and demand that model and let us know how it goes!

See also:
Xbox 360 Elite vs. classic: The test
Xbox 360 Elite Q&A
Joystiq Hands-on: Xbox 360 Elite

[Via Xbox360Fanboy, Thanks Micheal R.]

Tags: core, elite, lite, microsoft, premium, xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Chris @ Apr 29th 2007 4:56PM

Pretty much the reason I haven't purchased a 360 yet. Since I have my reasons for not purchasing a ps3 also, and until Sony and Microsoft fix those issues, I'll stick with my Wii, thanks. :-)

Durandal @ Apr 29th 2007 4:57PM

its just an xbox flipped and shrunk.

Ross @ Apr 29th 2007 4:58PM

I think its the sound of a Xbox 360 deciding it would rather choke on a Burger King game, than play it

cheese @ Apr 29th 2007 5:00PM

All that picture is is a pic of a core system, and the pic itself was downsized for effect, and flipped. There is no rhyme or reason for it, other than a design gaff by whoever put that ad together. Notice the purported console has no hdd, yet it retains the same exact design of the core, and it emphasizes corded use.

Chris @ Apr 29th 2007 5:05PM

I call fake, it sounds like hes blowing into the recorder and he stuck a 'unknown' format into the 360 (possible blu-ray)

Ihya @ Apr 29th 2007 5:12PM

God knows what it is. Long gone are the days when you bought a console and you knew it would be the definitive model for 5 years.

Greg @ Apr 29th 2007 5:15PM

Concept art on the HD DVD drive before it was announced, just like http://www.opticaldisc-systems.com/Mar-Apr2006/news&tech-83.htm

Chrysis @ Apr 29th 2007 5:18PM

First things first. That "smaller" model is a core, note the absence of HDD and chrome disc tray, also the fact it has a cable coming out of a controler port is indicative that it comes with a wired controller. I suspect when they were whipping up this graphic to show the two man SKU's they just had to flip a stock photo to make them line up. Just a theory. It could also be a 360 Lite.

Chase @ Apr 29th 2007 5:19PM

I work for EB and that is not a new system. The graphic designer just did a horizontal flip on a picture of the core, and the wire coming out of the USB port implies that the core comes with a wired controller.

jack @ Apr 29th 2007 5:46PM

@1 - what fucking issues are u talking about that sony has with PS3? u havent got a clue. 360 is the only system that fucks up like that, and to see an elite not playing games so early isnt very reassuring from MS trying to get customers to buy there shit

kingofwale @ Apr 29th 2007 5:49PM

Microsoft: "Introducing Microsoft Lite"
"without the harddrive and now.. in WHITE"
"without the cordless.. and now in WHITE"
"without Wireless...hmmm, just like before, but now n WHITE"

"Now at 559"

kids: "but it's just like the Core"

Microsoft: "but if you look closely, there's a Halo sticker at the bottom"

*sales like crazy*

Chris @ Apr 29th 2007 5:52PM

@Jack
I didn't say functionality issues, did I? "I have my reasons for not purchasing a ps3 also"... didn't say anything about the ps3 not functioning properly. Maybe I haven't purchased one because I want to wait for the format wars to chill out. Or maybe because I don't have 700$ laying around. Or maybe I just like Metroid more than Final Fantasy or Halo. There are plenty of reasons to buy and not to buy all of the consoles, so why don't you chill out and quit being so defensive Jack.

Chris @ Apr 29th 2007 5:53PM

PS that sounded really defensive, so I apologize for that. :-)

Ian Von Porter @ Apr 29th 2007 6:05PM

Dang.. i was waiting for the RRoD.. its only a matter of time before one of those pops up on youtube.

Foil_Goon @ Apr 29th 2007 6:16PM

"10. @1 - what fucking issues are u talking about that sony has with PS3?"

Gee I dunno, lack of 3rd party exclusives, lack of good software, huge price and tacked on gimmicky controls? No one is paying you to defend any system, everyone should be over critical of all of them, otherwise none of the problems will ever get fixed.

"360 is the only system that fucks up like that,"

I had 5 PS2s in its life time, other systems have problems too.

Lord Chako @ Apr 29th 2007 6:18PM

Any who, I'd like to see the bottom of the disc he is putting into the drive. I've seen the way some people take care (or don't for that matter) of their games. It wouldn't surprise me if he scratched th shit out his burger king game (it was only $4), just to get himself some attention.

paralipsis @ Apr 29th 2007 6:21PM

The image is definitely just shrunk, unless of course this "new" system comes with specially sized disks as well...

tim @ Apr 29th 2007 6:24PM

it is obviously just a shrunken and flipped picture. look at the size of the disc tray cover in comparison to the regular 360! no way you could get a game in there

Will @ Apr 29th 2007 6:26PM

new color
new sku
new hard drive
same ole POS quality...congrats MS, you've succeeded in failing to fix the only real problem with the console!

savvydoc @ Apr 29th 2007 6:42PM

Eh. I remember a vid of a ps3 choking on a disc while it was being inserted. Defects happen the dude is gonna exchange for a new one. Its not a big deal.

But you know... stories like this for the Wii are scarce.

Unless you count how it kills some, injures others, and destroy big expensive tv's.

:-P

Dirk E. @ Apr 29th 2007 6:44PM

To anyone saying my video is fake:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sddxz4U__zg

I have no reason to make it up so if you have doubts just view the new one and read the description I typed up.

Lord Chako @ Apr 29th 2007 7:01PM

Dirk,
why not show the bottom of the disc? And why did you choose the cheapest game possible to make a video on?
Does it do this for all games, or just the $4 burger king game you bought (and possibly defaced)?

brandon @ Apr 29th 2007 7:22PM

22: And why did you choose the cheapest game possible to make a video on?

Uh... because he doesn't want to ruin a $50 game? I know I wouldn't want to scratch up a game paid good money for and enjoy. If you want to ruin a fresh Gears of War disc, go for it.

The other reason is that Sneak King is so bad, the Elite might even be doing him a favor by scratching it. This is coming from someone who bought Sneak King too.

brandon @ Apr 29th 2007 7:24PM

Correction:
I know I wouldn't want to scratch up a game I paid good money for and enjoy

Dirk E. @ Apr 29th 2007 7:28PM

Why not show the bottom? Sorry, didn't think of it at the time. I honestly didn't think it would be called out as a fake video. Really no point to it now, I've already returned the system. Showing the bottom of the disk is just going to make you ask more questions since I can't make a video of it.

Why did I use the cheapest game possible? Why do you think...? I was horrified when I put in Oblivion and heard it make that noise. Why would I risk scratching/mauling one of my new games?

Lord Chako @ Apr 29th 2007 7:47PM

Whatever, you obviously have your reasons.
All i'm saying is that I've seen the way people treat their games. The sound the 360 was making was similar to it not being able to read a disc. It can't read a disc, if it's scratched to holy hell. And lets face it, how well do you take care of a $4 game?

ill trooper @ Apr 29th 2007 7:59PM

"26. Whatever, you obviously have your reasons.
All i'm saying is that I've seen the way people treat their games. The sound the 360 was making was similar to it not being able to read a disc. It can't read a disc, if it's scratched to holy hell. And lets face it, how well do you take care of a $4 game?

Posted at 7:47PM on Apr 29th 2007 by Lord Chako"

Chako, YOU obviously have YOUR reasons too. 360's are "iffy" quality... We all deal with it. I'm on my second 360 myself, and I would place a tall bet I take care of my electronics wayyyyy beyond what you would consider acceptable. Pretending people everywhere take poor care of their stuff won't really change the fact that it's a high-strung machine built with so-so quality. It's still the best system available right now, games-wise. Despite the quality issues, you'd really be missing out on great gaming without one.

Alex @ Apr 29th 2007 8:26PM

maybe they used an heiratic effect to show which one is the better one? I thought it was a revamped HD-DVD player

sheppy @ Apr 29th 2007 8:32PM

Can't we have any topic not degrade into a fanboy war? Look, let's put it this way...

No system has ever been able to crank out a 100% defect free run. Period. Personally, I had a GBA SP blow out an entire row of pixels within 15 minutes of play and even had a DS Lite with a huge amount of dead pixels. Had a Wii die on me as well, or at least randomly power down the moment it would boot into a game. On my fifth 360, second PS2, and third PSX. My gamecube died once as well and I'm on my second dreamcast. These things happen. The only one I'm upset about is the 360... because, c'mon, it's five in a year and a half.

So when a few Elite defect videos show up, it isn't a sign of the product as a whole, just a sign of that partical console being defective. I was personally amused when I called the Nintendo tech support over my Wii. They were kind, courteous, and honestly shocked when I pretty much told them no console can be 100% defect free and so long as I'm covered under warranty, no stressing about the situation is needed. I had to laugh when the girl at the other side thanked me for not being upset.

Plain and simple, the video poster got a defective Elite. Doesn't mean the entire run is garbage, just that one system was bad. I know majority of this post will be ignored but just had to throw that in there. Flame on, everybody.

embassy @ Apr 29th 2007 8:37PM

my old 260 used to make that EXACT same noise when the disc booted up and when it slowed down.

took that bitch back the next day.

i love the 360, easily has the best game lineup this year..but holy hell did MS produce these things like crap. the 1st xbox cud take a bullet (literally) but these things break if u sneeze too hard.

WhatIsThatThing @ Apr 29th 2007 8:37PM

That 360 likes the Burger King CD almost as much as a fat guy likes Burger King "food"! Just listen to it chomping down.

embassy @ Apr 29th 2007 8:37PM

360****

damn this no editing.

horngreen @ Apr 29th 2007 8:39PM

I'm a 360 fan myself but you true fanboys claiming this is faked have your nose to far up MSs ass. I have an Xbox (launch) and a 360 which I got about 5 months after launch. Both were/are crap quality wise. MS did fix the Xbox for free and replaced the 360 for free. I prefer it be fixed as my old Xbox is still running flawlessly while my 360 I'm sure is just months away from the red lights again. If it was not for LIVE I probably would not have continued with MSs gear.

Grant @ Apr 29th 2007 8:41PM

It's the same DVD drive they use in all the 360's, which is usually a no frills cheap drive, i don't find it hard to believe for one second they could have gotten a defective DVD drive.

and sneak king is just as good a coaster as it is a game, the Elite did you a favor.

the elite it's self is no big deal. HDMI output, black color, and the bigger HD. Sure, it's a deal for what MS is charging for the 120GB HD, but it's not really worth the big stink everyones making about it.

and why would someone spend $500 to make a video about how much the elite is crap? that would be some pretty extreme fanboyism.

Grant @ Apr 29th 2007 8:41PM

GJM @ Apr 29th 2007 8:56PM

And Ian Von Porter is still allowed to troll here because?...

John @ Apr 29th 2007 9:12PM

Here's why the 360 scratches discs:

http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/news/Xbox-360-Game-Disc-Scratched.htm

GoonieGooGoo @ Apr 29th 2007 9:51PM

What's the big deal?? the dude got an elite that got dropped in shipping or by some worker at the store.

Whoopee......

boo_radley @ Apr 29th 2007 11:40PM

Wow! You guys really freak out at the idea a system has an issue. Anyone on this site that's dealt with old computer parts could tell you what that is. There is a small weighted disc in the top of the drive that holds the CD or DVD in place. If it becomes disconnected the inserted disc will flop all around inside the drive when it tries to spin up making the resulting sound.

kyle @ Apr 30th 2007 12:08AM

that also happened on my original xbox 360 but only once the same sound and message

Langx @ Apr 30th 2007 2:41AM

Microsoft has bigger problems. Can they just fix the system.

http://loot-ninja.com/2007/04/29/xbox-360-elite-prone
-to-same-problems-as-others/

box 360 Elite Prone to Same Problems as Others

Xbox 360 Elite Contents Large ImageWe’ve had numerous reports coming in of users getting 3 red lights on their brand new Elite consoles this morning. While this is a daily occurrence with 360 Premium and Core systems, we thought Microsoft would have had a better handle on the situation with the Elite.

We’ve all seen the pictures of the motherboard changes. I assumed that these would protect the console better from heat and such to make sure less consoles would die. But alas, no. Microsoft has introduced another new product that is failing at a higher than normal rate.

To top it all off, the disc scratching issue is back. Seriously Microsoft, what the hell? Did you completely get rid of your QA department?

Matariel @ Apr 30th 2007 3:47AM

Newsflash: Put your console on a LEVEL surface, and the discs wont scratch.
Simple as that.

denney @ Apr 30th 2007 6:30AM

Ha Ha Ha. Look at that tool named Durandal comment number 2. He cant even write a sentence. There should be a capital letter at the start of a sentence.

Jeff @ Apr 30th 2007 6:53AM

I thought we had all agreed to refrain from the use of the inaccurate buzzword "SKU"?

Abscissa @ Apr 30th 2007 12:46PM

@#29 sheppy: I would recommend looking into if there's any line noise in your house's power circuit (maybe get a good UPS from Best Buy/MicroCenter/etc.), or a lot of dust or heat or something in the room you game in - either that or get a few good luck charms, because that's some REALLY bad luck.

Maybe I'm just really lucky, but I have all of the systems you've listed there (except the 360, and I have the original versions of the GBA and DS instead of SP and Lite), plus a bunch of other systems including doubles on a few of them (long story, but doesn't involve either of them being broken). But the only problems I've had are:

- One 20-year old NES that needed a new cartridge connector.
- One original Playstation with a broken comm port and iffy, but still working, disc drive.
- One XBox 1 that had a problem with the power/eject buttons that was fixed by fixing one connection on the motherboard.

Ok, so I haven't had a perfect track record with systems, but your experiences would lead me to suspect some sort of environmental factor.

Mike @ Apr 30th 2007 1:57PM

who the hell cares.. take it back to the store and get a replacement.. shesh.

sheppy @ Apr 30th 2007 2:25PM

"I would recommend looking into if there's any line noise in your house's power circuit (maybe get a good UPS from Best Buy/MicroCenter/etc.), or a lot of dust or heat or something in the room you game in - either that or get a few good luck charms, because that's some REALLY bad luck."

Mainly, it's bad luck with the 360. My power circuit is clear and I run em through UPSs to begin with. Perhaps a little expansion is needed. My systems are rarely on for longer than a few hours at a time so overheating isn't usually a concern. Anywho, here's the complete rundown.

GBA SP blew out a few lines of pixels during a Sonic Advance 3 game. Literally I bought the console, went on break, and before I even saw my first boss, console blinked off. Turned it back on, pixels blown out. No biggy, worked at the store I bought it from at the time.

DS Lite was a simple matter of a bad LCD. These things happen. Got an exchange, no biggy.

My Wii apparently had a short in it related to the disc tray. Each time it started to spin, bammo. Off. It would actually trip the breaker in the AC Adapter. So yeah, just bad luck there. Fortunately, Nintendo tranfered all my saves and I could redownload all my VC purchases.

360 has been a nightmare. Everyone who bashes extended warranties has NO clue the hell a bad 360 run can give you.

PS2 died because of heavy modding. My fault, entirely.

PSX 1 died from a lightning storm. PSX 2 died from a botched mod-chip install. PSX 3 is running like a champ.

Gamecube died from an eventual drive death. Same with the Dreamcast.

As for 360, I love the fact that the warranty I bought starts AFTER the Microsoft warranty ended.