who can enlighten me about Xbox 360?

[xntrick]

the wife wants to get one this xmas but i don't know very much about them...i see the Arcade Console goes for $199 but that doesn't include any sort of hard drive..is a drive really necessary?..i also see that refurbished consoles come with quite a bit more, i've purchased refurb ipods in the past without any problems but i'd be curious to hear if any of you have any problems with the refurbished units

[ChmpgnSupernover]

Buy new - better warranty, less chance of problems. I love my 360 but I have had two friends (out of two) that have had to replace their xbox after 1 and 2 years of use, respectively.

[Tonemeister69]

Buy new, from eGay.

[skillet]

I don't recommend buying refurbed or used; lots of people complaining of late, particularly with used, of getting lemons.

You can purchase a harddrive separately if and when you feel you need it (this is what I did 2 years ago after the Arcade model first appeared -- I didn't want the 20Gig drive, I wanted a 120Gig but only the Elite model at the time came with that drive and it was well over $500 back then); they have a certain amount of internal memory now, I forget how much, for saving games. You won't really be able to rent movies or purchase games through the online store (it downloads them to the harddrive) as it will fill up fast, but for simply playing games and such, it is fine to not have a harddrive. The 360 can play most old XBox 1 games, but this does require a harddrive, just FYI.

[Drifting]

It's a soul-stealing, time-wasting machine.

What else would you like to know?

You mean..... like this forum:eek: ???

[Julia343]

Suggestion: XBox 360 elite with the large hard drive.

Buy new and buy from Best Buy and seriously take the two year replacement warranty. It is a foregone conclusion to buy this extra warranty with gaming systems.

If anything happens to it within two years they will replace it free, but only ONCE.

Or take the two year extended warranty from Microsoft -- this covers the disk drive too.

Another thing to do is if you have a game you are going to play a lot, copy the game to the Hard Drive. You still need to put the disk in to play but it reads the game from the HD. This results in smoother play as well as saves wear and tear on one of the most fragile parts of the system --the optical drive.

[Jon Silberman]

You mean..... like this forum:eek: ???
:D !

[Darth Tater]

You definitely need the hard drive, and I'd get the 120gig. You'll need it for game saves, game demos, downloaded HD movies, downloaded music, videos, pictures...you name it. They have LOTS of content available.

For instance, 1 HD movie download is 5-6 gigs, and most game demos are around 1 gig so you can imagine how fast you'll fill up a 20 gig.

[JRDill]

get one that lights up like this, they're the best of all the versions offered...

http://www.techdigest.tv/red_ring_death.jpg

[Boobala]

Do not get a used Xbox 360. Early production models had HIGH failure rates (See image above), and without warranty protection, you'd be screwed.

You MAY also wan to consider an PS3. 95% of the games available for the Xbox are also available for the PS3, but the PS3 comes with the finest BluRay player on the market. And unlike the Xbox, the online funtions are FREE. Also, unlike the Xbox. WiFi is built into the PS3.

Note: I own both systems.

.

[ChmpgnSupernover]

Like the poster above, I've also owned both systems, however I sold the 360 and kept the PS3. I've had the luxury of being able to play Modern Warefare 2 on both consoles and the games play exactly the same. Graphics are great on both, and the muliplayer as well is exactly the same - lots of open games, games fill up with people, no lag, some useful people with mics, some immature kids with mics - same experience on both.

The PS3 won out with me because it has the free online (360 costs ~$50/year), (IMO) the more comfortable and less expensive controller (360 controller takes two AA batteries), a more visually appealing interface, and a bluray player.

To me the only advantage for the 360 was that you can modify the console to play burned games which saved me quite a bit of money, but also cost me quite a bit of time!

[jimfog]

It's a soul-stealing, time-wasting machine.


......and it also has some negative aspects.

[hot lava mike]

I’ve had two 360s- both were stolen from my home. I never had technical issues with it, but know people who did. It doesn’t have a great track record so I would get an extended warranty of some type. Also, unless you’re going to be downloading a ton of movies, I wouldn’t get a huge hard drive. I had a 20gig one and it was fine for me. Most of the games you can download don’t take up that much space.

I liked the online market place and probably used it to stream Netflix movies more than anything.

Overall- it was a Halo 3/Netflix machine for me.

If I get another system it will be the Wii.

[Jazzydave]

I haven't been a console guy since I was introduced to the power of playing games on a PC. Consoles have gotten much better but I still prefer playing on a nice system with a decent monitor. My MacBook Pro ROCKS the new Call of Duty and playing it via my HDTV is awesome!

I agree with buying new though but DON'T get it from Best Buy. Their return policy is a PITA and there are other places that offer the same types of warranties.

And...streaming NETFLIX is a must!

Don't forget that his Friday is "Black Friday!" I'm sure there will be some crazy deals on those first thing in the morning!

[Darth Tater]

If you don't ever plan on playing online (which is my favorite part), already own a blu ray player, and/or simply have to have a certain game that is exclusive to the Xbox, then maybe the Xbox is what you need.

Jade

This makes no sense seeing as how Xbox Live online is a far superior service than the 'free' PS3 online thing which has no structure and is crawling with annoying kids.

Also disagree with not buying at Best Buy..their warranty service is top notch. My first Xbox red-ringed two years after I bought it and they simply wrote me a check for my original purchase price. This just happened to be a week before the Elite model came out, so I just went back with my check and $79 extra bucks and got the Elite :)

[ChmpgnSupernover]

This makes no sense seeing as how Xbox Live online is a far superior service than the 'free' PS3 online thing which has no structure and is crawling with annoying kids.

Also disagree with not buying at Best Buy..their warranty service is top notch. My first Xbox red-ringed two years after I bought it and they simply wrote me a check for my original purchase price. This just happened to be a week before the Elite model came out, so I just went back with my check and $79 extra bucks and got the Elite :)
I've spent lots of time on 360's Live and there were annoying kids all over the place. I don't seem to run into too many on PS3, I think it has to do with the differing price points. The only aspect of XBox Live that is superior to the PS3 is that its easier to message friends and add friends to your buddy list. Otherwise in my experience (and I've made the observations based on the newest Modern Warfare game, PS3 at my house, 360 at a buddies house), the online services are exactly the same - lag free, lots of players. I can't justify spending $50 to play online games on 360 just for better buddy lists.

Edited to add: One thing that the 360 has over the PS3 is that they give a free headset when you buy a console, so there tends to be much more people that actually use them - for better or worse.

[Jazzydave]

Also disagree with not buying at Best Buy..their warranty service is top notch. My first Xbox red-ringed two years after I bought it and they simply wrote me a check for my original purchase price. This just happened to be a week before the Elite model came out, so I just went back with my check and $79 extra bucks and got the Elite :)

Wow! Maybe they've improved it? Last I heard, it had to be approved at all different levels and it was awhile before you got your refund...

[J.T.]

Tried but couldn't get into console games. I am a huge PC gamer and will remain so . Just used to the controls i guess. That said i traded in my XBOX 360 rig as it was collecting dust to get my daughter a Wii. Its awesome and i play it as much as COD MW2 on my PC :)

[smallbutmighty]

Buy new. Get a guarantee.

X-Boxes are notorious for crapping out well before they should. My sons has red-ringed twice, and is now mysteriously not reading discs...all within 2.5 years.

Halo is such a great game, though.....

[tremayne007]

I believe microsoft gives 3 year warranty on all of them now, they did on mine new last Christmas. You should check before buying an extended one.

Also, reviews of the new chips (Jaspers?) say they are much more stable/less failure rate from overheating since they draw less current.

Personally I think the Xbox controllers are MUCH more comfortable.

Also, when I was looking into it last year, Xbox had alot more titles and it seemed that PS3 was moving slow to bridge the gap because it supposedly is a harder system to design games for :dunno.

The PS3 does have a blu-ray player, but I have never been one to use my gaming system for watching DVD's. It can expedite it wearing out, so I just pick out an economical stand alone. The prices have come down on both machines though, so this isn't as much of an issue. When they were pushing $500, I would have opted for watching movies on something that cost $75.

I would read some current gamer sight reviews to get the pulse on the system these days.

Of course there are camps that love or hate both systems, like everything :p

[TubeeTuberton]

I believe microsoft gives 3 year warranty on all of them now, they did on mine new last Christmas. You should check before buying an extended one.

Also, reviews of the new chips (Jaspers?) say they are much more stable/less failure rate from overheating since they draw less current.

Personally I think the Xbox controllers are MUCH more comfortable.

Also, when I was looking into it last year, Xbox had alot more titles and it seemed that PS3 was moving slow to bridge the gap because it supposedly is a harder system to design games for :dunno.

The PS3 does have a blu-ray player, but I have never been one to use my gaming system for watching DVD's. It can expedite it wearing out, so I just pick out an economical stand alone. The prices have come down on both machines though, so this isn't as much of an issue. When they were pushing $500, I would have opted for watching movies on something that cost $75.

I would read some current gamer sight reviews to get the pulse on the system these days.

Of course there are camps that love or hate both systems, like everything :p

I agree. I say try them both, at a friends or a store. See what you like. I would assume, after owning both, if you just want a quick plentiful online experience go with the Xbox. PS3 is just not there. It does not matter what people say, it is still known that the Xbox is for people who want a great gaming experience especially online. And the point about it being $50 a year. Really? Are we making that argument...here!? Where money is exchanged at a higher rate than on wall street! Regardless, I've never had to look at my Xbox and explain all of the things is does have that are not for gaming to make up for what it lacks in that category. That is normally what I get from the PS3 crowd. Their PS3 is an awesome machine plus, IT HAS BLU-RAY! Which basically means, it is lacking in the gaming department so the blu-ray player makes me feel good about my purchase. I bought an Xbox to play games and a cheaper Blu-Ray player for that. Then again I suppose I am one of those people in the Xbox camp. ;)

[ChmpgnSupernover]

I agree. I say try them both, at a friends or a store. See what you like. I would assume, after owning both, if you just want a quick plentiful online experience go with the Xbox. PS3 is just not there. It does not matter what people say, it is still known that the Xbox is for people who want a great gaming experience especially online. And the point about it being $50 a year. Really? Are we making that argument...here!? Where money is exchanged at a higher rate than on wall street! Regardless, I've never had to look at my Xbox and explain all of the things is does have that are not for gaming to make up for what it lacks in that category. That is normally what I get from the PS3 crowd. Their PS3 is an awesome machine plus, IT HAS BLU-RAY! Which basically means, it is lacking in the gaming department so the blu-ray player makes me feel good about my purchase. I bought an Xbox to play games and a cheaper Blu-Ray player for that. Then again I suppose I am one of those people in the Xbox camp. ;)

Not at all man. The PS3 is a great gaming console regardless of the blu ray, it just helps justify the cost :p Owning both I can testify that they're both great gaming machines. The 360 has better features for online gaming but you pay extra, the PS3 has the bare essentials for online gaming and doesn't lack anything in that regard as far as speed, updates, and a well enough gaming community that you never have to worry about a lack of available online matches. I can't imagine you've spent much time with a PS3 (at least not in the last couple of years) as you've made it clear you don't know how comparable of an online and gaming experience it is, but in that sense, I can see where you're coming from ;)

I'm playing Left 4 Dead right now and I could never get that on the PS3, but I did really enjoy Uncharted, which can't be found on the 360. We could go back and forth with petty-pointless nit picks all day but in the end they're both great gaming machines with their own little premiere features sprinkled in here and there. I think you're being very unfair to the PS3 when you claim it has an inferior gaming experience. That's not true at all! :p

[gomez1856]

Just a heads up, now is a terrible time to buy used. Microsoft has recently banned many X-box's from the X-box live network. The ban includes only those X-box's that have been modified by the owners to be able to play pirated versions of games. MS will not release the actual number of banned machines but industry experts put it near or over a million machines.

Because this ban is hardware based, as opposed to banning the user associated with that machine, the actual machine can never be used again on the network. This has led to a large number of these banned machines finding their way to ebay and craigslist. They are being sold as "used" and not modified.

Just a heads up.


Rick

[tremayne007]

Here is a decent comparison of the two systems...


http://www.hardcoreware.net/playstation-3-vs-xbox-360-two-years-later/

[stratman34]

I will only speak to the 360 experience, since that's all I've owned recently. It's a great system, easy to get used to, and game play rocks. The online experience via XBox Live is a good compliment to the system and adds quite a bit of value. I use mine as a Netflix streaming device and play a ton of Xbox Live Arcade games (some are new, some are classic game ports like the original Galaga, etc.) Yes, you have to pay, but I just magically get a 12 month renewal card in the Christmas stocking each year. ;) Netflix is a no brainer, if you are a movie buff.

I chose the 360 solely based on access to a specific game series not available on PS3 (Halo series). The system will also play most (but not all) original Xbox games via a built in emulator. I also agree with the comments above, to not use the system as your standalone DVD player (especially with the PS3). Of the friends' PS3s I've seen fail - every one has been a BluRay drive failure.

I have experiened one system failure (RROD) since they were released, about 18 months in. All of the failures relate to heat issues and sub-standard soldering. The heat eventually works a chip loose off the mainboard. People I know that had them fail quicker either used them inside a non-vented entertainment center or had them laying on the floor in shag carpet (restricting the air flow through the vents). I did neither, and it still failed... it just took longer.

** And NEVER buy a 360 used unless you can verify if it's XBOX Live capable. Once Microsoft bans a console for any reason, that hardware is banned for LIFE! **

[Boobala]

Note that the PS3 also has access to Netflix movies.

[hot lava mike]

Xbox Live is full of annoying and racist kids. But it's terribly addictive.

I play guitar and write so much more now since it's been stolen. Halo is like crack.

[hot lava mike]

One thing that kinda bugs me about the 360 is the lack of an internal wireless adapter. When I play Halo online, I have to run a 30ft ethernet cable from the theater room to the room where the cable modem is.

BTW... did anyone here get GT Prolouge? I didn't, I'm awaiting GT5... going on like 3 years now LOL Does Prolouge make GT5 look promising? It's supposed to be out in Feb, so I'm excited about that.

Jade


I had the same problem- I bought an ethernet bridge- worked great.

[JWDubois]

Mine has been working great for almost two years until today: E 74

It started up an ran again after I let it cool but it's only a matter of time now. I'll probably buy an arcade and swap the disk. I'll send this one back for repair and keep it as a backup.

Dangit

JWW

[stratman34]

One thing that kinda bugs me about the 360 is the lack of an internal wireless adapter. When I play Halo online, I have to run a 30ft ethernet cable from the theater room to the room where the cable modem is.
Jade

It comes in N and G bands... I have the old B band one I used with my first Xbox. Just set it up, cram it in the back, and forget about it!

http://www.linksysbycisco.com/videos/gallery/01,68.png

[TubeStack]

It may be a waste of money if you and/or your family are not regular gamers.

I've been into gaming at various points in my life. Bought an XBox last year, after a month's use, it sat looking shiny on the floor, never touched. Same with the Wii we bought a little bit before that.

Sold the Box this past summer and put the money towards a JCM800 half-stack.

[Darth Tater]

Note that the PS3 also has access to Netflix movies.

Xbox does as well...they were first to do it actually. Xbox also has last built in which is SLICK. Add to that all the HD content available in the Marketplace, the online Arcade, and the media streaming and it's win for Xbox :)

[Darth Tater]

I've spent lots of time on 360's Live and there were annoying kids all over the place. I don't seem to run into too many on PS3, I think it has to do with the differing price points. The only aspect of XBox Live that is superior to the PS3 is that its easier to message friends and add friends to your buddy list. Otherwise in my experience (and I've made the observations based on the newest Modern Warfare game, PS3 at my house, 360 at a buddies house), the online services are exactly the same - lag free, lots of players. I can't justify spending $50 to play online games on 360 just for better buddy lists.
.

"Some games have added better interfaces (Burnout Paradise comes to mind), but in the end, PS3’s online functionality is very poor in comparison to Xbox Live. I guess you can still say “You get what you pay for” in this case."

http://www.hardcoreware.net/playstation-3-vs-xbox-360-two-years-later/

[Boobala]

Xbox does as well...they were first to do it actually. Xbox also has last built in which is SLICK. Add to that all the HD content available in the Marketplace, the online Arcade, and the media streaming and it's win for Xbox :)

PS3 has all that plus BluRay, plus it's online service is FREE. Plus it's controller doesn't require batteries. Plus it has built in wireless (WiFi & Bluetooth). Win for the PS3 :).