Microsoft confirms 256MB internal memory for Xbox 360 Arcade

by James Ransom-Wiley { Dec 2nd 2008 at 5:50PM }

Microsoft has partially confirmed rumors of the latest Xbox 360 hardware revision, revealing that new Xbox 360 Arcade units indeed ship with 256MB of on-board memory. In a statement obtained by X3F, a Microsoft spokesperson said:

"We are constantly updating the console's more than 1700 internal components. We can confirm that we are moving to internal memory for the Xbox 360 Arcade. The physical internal memory is the same size as the previous external memory units -- 256MB."

While vague, the statement seems to imply that Arcade systems will no longer ship with external Memory Units, as reported by at least one Jasper hunter. Assuming this is the case, the Arcade SKU is now equipped to handle various memory-required functions like game saves and NXE (128MB) without the use of an external memory device. Of course, this also means the advantages of the once-bundled Memory Unit must be sought at an extra cost. Microsoft has not confirmed the installation of internal memory for other Xbox 360 SKUs nor has it confessed to outfitting its consoles with the Jasper chipset. (Don't hold your breath for that one.)

Tags: breakingnews, jasper, xbox-360-arcade

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Cj @ Dec 2nd 2008 5:55PM

Do these units also contain the Jasper CPU?

Ayrkain @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:00PM

There have been reports that this is the case. One guy took pictures and supposedly the GPU is indeed of the 65nm variety.

Stew @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:18PM

More importantly, do they work? I would advise holding out until at least Febuary before wasting your cash on ***ANOTHER** failed Microsoft promise...

Haggard @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:20PM

It'd be nice if they just told you on the box which chipset you were getting.

..or do they?

Ayrkain @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:18PM

I think it's lot 843xx or higher. Might want to research it though.

Ayrkain @ Dec 2nd 2008 10:21PM

Sorry, 0843X is the lot number.

Draco @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:00PM

don't the current arcade units come with 512MB cards? also if this holds NXE how are you supposed to save your games? doesn't NXE use up nearly 256MB?

Moptimus Slime @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:05PM

Hmmm...I wonder what 512-256 equals

Strategy_Panda (the artist formally known as Titanium_Orchid) @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:35PM

512-256 = 256

According to the article, the memory unit in the 360 is also 256. hmmmmm

Anyways, the article states that the NXE takes up 128mb

Vol @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:04PM

Way be to be cheap MS. A whole GB of memory costs next to nothing now.

KeenCommander @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:10PM

Since they're almost definitely not even making a profit on it, I think they can get away with being cheap.

Plus they don't actually want people to buy the Arcade systems, the 60GB is where most of their business is, it's just smart business to have something on the market cheaper than the dominating Wii in an attempt to appeal to that crowd. Plus they make money selling the hard drive upgrades too.

philmcphail @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:37PM

Exactly! I mean only 256 mb!? How useful can a fourth of a gig be?!

WiredKnight @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:01PM

That's what I'm saying.

@Keen

No, they can't get away with it. It's ridiculous that you can buy a 16 Gb flash drive for $20, but the same amount of cash won't even get you a gig if you want a memory card. Bullshit.

Kyle @ Dec 8th 2008 10:33PM

I'm so pleased at how cheap memory has gotten.

I just got a 16 GB pro duo stick for my PSP for $90. (for movies and whatnot)

as for the onboard memory. Does NXE come preloaded (built in) to these new jasper boards?

Billy @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:05PM

Ok, so at the very least, it is cool they're including built in memory now for all SKUs. But 256MB? Come on. They could spend an extra 10 cents and make that at least 1GB. 256 is a slap in the face.

But really, my vote goes for Microsoft spending the extra 25 cents it would cost to actually include a fucking hard drive. Not including a hard drive by default on all SKUs was probably the stupidest mistake MS made with this system. (I'm not an MS hater, I have a 360 and love it, just saying, this was a horrible mistake).

Bah humbug!

tmmoore_nc @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:06PM

So an extra 25 cents for an extra 744mb? Why not spend an extra nickel for wi-fi as well?

AoE @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:17PM

I think MS should hire Billy here to source components... he obviously knows some much better OEM manufacturers than MS does! Billy, please tell MS where they can get these 25 cent HDDs from.

Noshino @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:15PM

"I think MS should hire Billy here to source components... he obviously knows some much better OEM manufacturers than MS does! Billy, please tell MS where they can get these 25 cent HDDs from."

Your statement implies that Microsoft knows how to manufacture a system, yet reality shows otherwise

Snowblind @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:41AM

I don't see why not including one is that big a deal. We can now install games which improves the performance all around, and a few games have even simply labeled "requires HDD" on the back.

Envoy @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:09PM

I always wondered why they took a step back from Xbox 1 and not include an internal HDD.

Mr Khan @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:12PM

Because, aside from the other cost problems they had (like the fact that the cost of the XCPU and the XGPU to them never went down), the guarantee of an HDD per unit is what helped lead them to the $5 billion loss they took on the original Xbox

Thus they would have a unit that they could bring down in price without crippling financial consequences, as the $200 break-even Arcade suggests

Snowblind @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:43AM

I think part of the reason was also to make the thing smaller. One of the major complaints about the original Xbox was it's size.

Pretty amusing thinking back on it, considering the PS3 is bigger AND heavier than it was, yet I don't think anyone's complained about that.

Mr Khan @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:14PM

Wouldn't it make the model more expensive, though? Or will the internal memory be the same tech as an external card, just hardwired inside? NAND technology (the kind Wii uses) is rather expensive, but if it were the card itself, it would be fine

jimmygotsmack @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:16PM

Whats the point of this? I actually would much rather have a portable means for my memory. Heck, I actually have removed my hard drive several times to play on a friend's 360.

Mr Khan @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:20PM

Convenience, perhaps. I know it prevents the practice you described, but that's something the console makers have been discouraging of late.

To help pitch the idea of a plug-and-play sorta experience, too. Much like the Wii, i guess, you just plug it in, the memory is there, and go.

Wiinterfang @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:30PM

I got a question though, if I buy an Arcade system can I use it right away and play my games? I only game to play and save the games right now and I don't have a way to connect a console to internet right now but I want to know if I could buy an Arcade and play without much problems or will I get screwed because I don't have a way to install the NXE?

Strategy_Panda (the artist formally known as Titanium_Orchid) @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:39PM

you can still play games without having to download the NXE

Wiinterfang @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:53PM

Well that's good enough for me, as long as I can play Sonic Unleashed,Bayonetta and King of Fighters XII I shall live.

Strategy_Panda (the artist formally known as Titanium_Orchid) @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:59PM

@Wiinterfang

Its also possible that in the future, some games will come with the NXE on the disc, and allow you to install it that way.

WiredKnight @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:05PM

That's what I thought too. If it was a substantial amount of memory it might make sense, but this seems like more of a negative.

No, not for convenience's sake. How hard is it to just leave the card plugged in?

O_______o

Courtney @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:33PM

1700 internal components? I thought the box was full of pixie dust, unicorn hair and the blood of Microsoft's enemies.

PARANOID365 @ Dec 3rd 2008 4:55AM

Courtney FTW !!!!

HA,HA,HA,HA, that shit was beautiful !! I laughed so hard I almost fell of my chair !! Thanx Man !!

And for all the nubs; I am not being sarcastic, that shit was rich !!

Kye says: Know thyself @ Dec 2nd 2008 6:43PM

So, like... ummm... yea!?

This is a good thing. Right?

Lee @ Dec 2nd 2008 7:22PM

Here's an idea MS. I'll trade you my built in 256mb flash drive for a 802.11g wifi unit.

It's piss poor that the system with the best online network EVUR has such a poor physical networking options.

YUES it's a chip on my shoulder.

KingOfGods @ Dec 2nd 2008 8:02PM

"...poor physical networking options."

I prefer to run a cable over wireless any day. An ethernet cable is much more reliable than wireless.

microshocky @ Dec 2nd 2008 11:30PM

A lot of wireless networks people have in their houses are strong, the one my ps3 is connected to is fine and if the 360 had wi-fi built in, i would've gave it a much better chance at buying it but i cant justify paying 100 dollars for a stupid dongle which the ds lite has for almost the same price.

That's the problem when everything is proprietary, you cant use anything you want and are forced into their prices, their product, i dont like that.
And Lee is right, its not the best online network though, the pc has that locked down but a console so centered on going online doesnt even give you all the freaking connection options!

Snowblind @ Dec 3rd 2008 6:45AM

You can buy third party networking equipment for the 360 for less than $30, if you dislike using a cable.

PARANOID365 @ Dec 3rd 2008 4:57AM

@Courtney:

Courtney FTW !!!!

HA,HA,HA,HA, that shit was beautiful !! I laughed so hard I almost fell of my chair !! Thanx Man !!

And for all the nubs; I am not being sarcastic, that shit was rich !!

KieferKuroi @ Dec 3rd 2008 9:37AM

So, if they ship the 360 Arcade with the 256MB memory card it means that it doesn't have Jasper?

If so, bummer ):, I was thinking on getting an Arcade around these days, over here at Mexico it's being announced with the memory, but I was excited to know if it had a Jasper chip.

Also, if I get the Jasper-less Arcade, do you think it will be eligible for the cheap HDD thingy?