Topic: Bye bye 20GB 360s hello 60GB 360s (IT's OFFICIAL Post 14)

[Flames_of_chaos]

Leaked Info on 60gb Starter Kit and 20gb's Death
Written by Chris Turner
Tuesday, 08 July 2008
There has been a lot of speculation as to how the rumored 60gb hard drive would impact the established hardware in the Xbox 360 lineup. Thanks to some leaked info, we have the complete details. ... Below is a portion of an email being sent out to GameStop and Blockbuster buyers (logistical people handling what the store actually stocks). The email has the complete details on the 60gb hard drive and what will happen to the 20gb and 120gb hard drives. Email follows:

With the introduction of the 60GB Pro console in July, we have research that suggests it is very important to have a 60GB stand alone Hard Drive to go along with it to allow the consumer a full range of choices and values. In late October/early November (exact date TBD but most likely last week in October or 1st week in November), we will ship the Xbox 360 60GB Hard Drive, tentatively called the “Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack”. This will be an excellent value price at and ERP of $99.99 with an 18% retail margin that contains:



· 60GB Hard Drive

· 3 Months of Xbox Live

· Xbox 360 Wired Headset

· Xbox 360 Ethernet Cable (same one that is included with Pro and Elite)

Positioning: For Xbox 360 Arcade and Core console owners, the Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack offers all of the components to get onto Xbox LIVE and jump in to on line multiplayer gaming and Marketplace content downloads at an incredible value.

With the end of life of the 20GB Hard Drive and the price drop of the 120GB Hard Drive to $149.99 in September, this new 60GB hard drive will fit very well into our “Choice and Value” pillar and will fit nicely into our accessory line up. Exact SKU/UPC/Set up info will come soon and once we nail down the exact MSD, I will let you all know immediately.

So now we have

360 Arcade = $279.99
360 Pro 20GB = $299.99 (soon to be phased out)
360 Pro 60GB = $349.99
360 Elite = $449.99

20GB HDD = $99.99 (soon to be phased out)
60GB HDD = $99.99
120GB HDD = $149.99

[BranDonk Kong]

According to their (HDD) pricing model, the Elite should be $399 when they make the change. They need to drop the price on all systems, and when the 20GB model is gone, make the 60GB $299.

[Flames_of_chaos]

Brandogg, won't happen since the 20GB are phased out and the 60GB is just there to replace it. Pretty much Sony's strategy when they phased out the 60 GB for 80GB model. MS is just having a clearance sale on what they are discontinuing.

[DAaaMan64]

Still 300 bucks? wow. I'm too cheap for a 360.

[Spak-Spang]

DAaaMan64...so am I.

For me to get into a 360 would cost me.

$300.00 for a system.
$100.00 for some used games.
$ 50.00 another controller. 
-------------------------------------------
$450.00  To get into a system is just too much.  Sorry.

[DAaaMan64]

ya I've been watching the trading networks. And they just aren't cheap yet. You might be able to get 200 with a little vigilance.

[matt oz]

I love how this is the generation of a dozen SKUs per console (Wii notwithstanding).  I bought my 360 Pro in May.  I could've waited 2 months and gotten an additional 40GB hard drive, plus whatever other improvements are going into the chipset and whatnot.  It makes me feel like a chump now, knowing I could've waited just a bit longer and gotten a better deal.

Nintendo's the same with their handhelds.  I got an original GBA about 2 weeks before the SP was announced.  I was really pissed off because I couldn't even play the GBA because of the damn screen.  The only place I could play it was lying in bed next to my lamp with the lampshade taken off.

I may as well just stay behind and wait a full generation before buying/playing any more games.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Well at least Nintendo phases out previous iterations while Sony and MS swamp the market with different SKUs.

[EasyCure]

I love how this is the generation of a dozen SKUs per console (Wii notwithstanding).  I bought my 360 Pro in May.  I could've waited 2 months and gotten an additional 40GB hard drive, plus whatever other improvements are going into the chipset and whatnot.  It makes me feel like a chump now, knowing I could've waited just a bit longer and gotten a better deal.

Nintendo's the same with their handhelds.  I got an original GBA about 2 weeks before the SP was announced.  I was really pissed off because I couldn't even play the GBA because of the damn screen.  The only place I could play it was lying in bed next to my lamp with the lampshade taken off.

I may as well just stay behind and wait a full generation before buying/playing any more games.

i gave in and bought a ds (phat) when the mario kart bundle came out because i liked the red color (and had only recently gotten into the ds, i'm not a big fan of handhelds usually) then a few weeks later the sleek looking DS Lites came out... i was pissed but i dealt with it. Didn't get a DS Lite until my gf got me one for this passed Xmas, now i don't know how i ever played the phat!

[Kairon]

I'm STILL using my launch DS Phat. Maybe next year I'll get a DS Lite... maybe.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I'm STILL using my launch DS Phat. Maybe next year I'll get a DS Lite... maybe.

You are so not a serious gamer.

[Kairon]

I can't decide whether that $100 for 3 months of live, headset, and 60GB harddrive is a good idea or not... hmm... actually, with all those accessories, it's already a vastly better deal than MS had before, and probably a pretty tempting upgrade option to induce purchases of Arcades now with this down the line.

I'm STILL using my launch DS Phat. Maybe next year I'll get a DS Lite... maybe.

You are so not a serious gamer.

Yo. I'm keeping it real. I like my handhelds with some b-donk-a-donk, knameanz?

[Flames_of_chaos]

Yo. I'm keeping it real. I like my handhelds with some b-donk-a-donk, knameanz?

[Kairon]

Yo. I'm keeping it real. I like my handhelds with some b-donk-a-donk, knameanz?

[Flames_of_chaos]

Xbox 360 Console Now Offers Triple the Storage

Published July 13, 2008

Redmond, Washington—Microsoft is giving consumers more gigabytes for their buck. The company today announced an Xbox 360® console with triple the storage space of the original console, but for the same price of $349 (U.S.) estimated retail price.

Available in retail stores in the U.S. and Canada starting in early August, the upgraded Xbox 360 will include a 60GB hard drive for storing the growing wealth of digital entertainment available for the console, including music, movies, television shows, and game content. In addition, Microsoft today dropped the price of its 20GB Xbox 360 console in the U.S. and Canada to just $299 (U.S.) (ERP) while supplies last, a savings of $50.

"We know consumers need more and more space to store the amazing digital content Xbox 360 offers, and we're giving it to them at no extra charge," said Albert Penello, Xbox director of product management at Microsoft. "No one device offers the depth and breadth of entertainment that Xbox 360 can deliver, and now you'll have three times the storage to manage all that great content."

Xbox 360 is just one of three Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment systems Microsoft offers. Microsoft's Xbox 360 Arcade, which comes with a 256MB memory unit and five Xbox LIVE Arcade games, is a value for the whole family for $279 (U.S.) (ERP), and the premium Xbox 360 Elite console is available with a 120GB hard drive for $449 (U.S.) (ERP).

Out of the box, the Xbox 360 console is ready to provide an incredible gaming and entertainment experience:

* Xbox 360 console: The console is equipped with a cool white finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in high definition (HD) entertainment (up to 1080p for gaming), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) output.
* 60GB Hard Drive: The 60GB detachable hard drive allows you to save your games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos, and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the premier one-stop digital download center for entertainment.
* Upscaling DVD Player: With an HDMI cable (sold separately), watch your favorite DVDs in near high-definition using the upscaling capabilities of Xbox 360.
* Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller features the Xbox Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of up to 30 hours on two AA batteries.
* Xbox 360 Headset: The headset lets friends and family around the world chat while playing games, watching movies, or sending voice messages on Xbox LIVE.
* Xbox LIVE Silver Membership: For no additional cost, Xbox 360 owners can chat with friends online, collect Achievements to improve their Gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, and purchase or rent HD movies and TV shows, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade. (Broadband Internet access required.)
* One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold: An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides a complete online entertainment experience. Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, and chat with an entire group of friends at a time.

[shammack]

Yikes...  guess I won't be getting a 360 any time soon.