• Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB

    Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB

    Prasad Naik, Sep 03, 2010 1740 hrs IST

    Good for gaming, but the PS3 can do a lot more for almost the same price

    Smaller and more stylish, quieter operation, lower power consumption, more USB ports, built-in Wi-Fi

    No HDMI cable in the bundle, cannot use standard notebook hard drives instead of the proprietary ones, external power brick is smaller but still there, runs hotter than before, USB ports too close to each other, no Blu-ray playback, no web browser

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Five years after they launched the first Xbox 360, Microsoft has now made the biggest update to the console. Called the Xbox 360 250GB, the new console is completely redesigned and features a smaller and thinner design. Other additions include a more power-efficient hardware and internal Wi-Fi, along with additional USB ports, quieter operation and of course, a 250GB hard drive. We spent some time playing on it to see how much it has improved over its predecessor and how it compares to its biggest competitor, the PlayStation 3.






Bundle

  • Xbox 360 250 GB S console
  • Xbox 360 250 GB S removable hard drive
  • Xbox 360 black wireless controller
  • Xbox 360 black headset
  • Xbox 360 composite A/V cable


It's surprising that Microsoft is not bundling an HDMI cable with the new 360. I mean, how much does an HDMI cable cost? Around 400 bucks? Surely it could have been included in the package of a console costing twenty two grand. The cable that they did provide is a composite (yes, not even the component) that only supports up to 480i resolution. Also, I never really understood the concept behind the headset with just one speaker.

However, one good change that I saw was a smaller and much lighter power brick. Unfortunately, we were hoping Microsoft integrated it inside the console rather than just making it smaller. For example, the PlayStation 3, the old as well as the slim version, has an internal power supply.


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Discussion Board
(9) Comments
Deadred
,Hastings, on Sep 06, 2010 07:06 PM
and to compare kinect to eyetoy is even worse than comparing PS move to a wii
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Greg Chappel
,Smallville, on Sep 04, 2010 11:38 AM
Install linux on PS3? Woah didn't Sony pull that capability with an update? Oh I see you haven't updated your PS3...
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Prasad Naik
,Mumbai, on Sep 05, 2010 11:42 AM
"...which includes stuff like Blu-ray playback, web browser and 'till a while back' the ability to install Linux on it." Please read carefully.
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Anonymous
,crestfork, on Sep 04, 2010 06:47 AM
Xbox Live is superior to PS3's on-line experience. Xbox's controller is a more sophisticated design. They're both great consoles. It really comes down to software, IMO. Personally, I lean toward Xbox.
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abhishek
,kolkata, on Sep 04, 2010 12:41 AM
I find no mention of xbox live one of the key selling points of the console ! And though the xbox consumes less power in idle and dvd playback modes , the reviewer simply tells that the ps3 consumes less power ? Also no mention of the fact that you can keep the console vertically without any other arrangements ! This review is sincerely biased.
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Kapila
,Punjab, on Sep 03, 2010 10:52 PM
This article was one-dimensional. You haven't mentioned that the Kinect system when it comes out will be far more revolutionary than the PS3 Move While not including a blue-ray drive is in some ways a prestige issue, we must remember that in the US people have already moved from physical drives to internet streaming and the 360 has built in Netflix and Hulu support along with Wi-Fi. XBOX Live is the best online gaming service.
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Anonymus
,mumbai, on Sep 03, 2010 11:04 PM
What Kinect revolutionary LMAO lol there is a thing known PS Eye toy which did the same thing kinect did 8 years back.. Stop pulling stuff from your @ss. US people have not moved to any digital crap.. Blu-Ray still outsells any digital distribution method, not to mention it even helps games... GOD OF WAR 3.. 40GB pull that on the 360..
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dude
,kochi, on Sep 03, 2010 09:12 PM
The only valid reason I find for plumbing for the 360 is its online experience. Xbox Live offers the most complete online gaming experience you can ask for. However, the annual 50$ fee is a bummer. In contrast, the PSN is a lot more mature than Xbox Live and best of all, it's free. However, if my limited knowledge of consoles is right, there's a paid version coming too. But, there's still the free version to fall back on. Besides, hardware wise, the PS3 is way better than the 360. The 360's great, but the PS3 does more at the same price- like Bluray playback!!! P.S- I am not a PS3 fanboy- I'm a PC gamer!!! :)
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SirDAB
,Flower Mound, TX, on Sep 03, 2010 08:45 PM
Interestingly, this article doesn't mention the flimsiness PS 3 controllers which affects and adds to the overall cost of a PS 3. Point being, if you're comparing the two, point out PS 3's faults as well.
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