electronista
07/13/2008, 10:30am, EDT
Sunday, July 13thMicrosoft confirms 60GB Xbox 360 Pro
Microsoft today preceded E3 by announcing its anticipated 60GB Xbox 360 Pro, tripling the storage of the game console. The extra space is said to be necessary for the extra amount of content owners have been likely to store since the system's launch, which includes not just larger game demos and Xbox Live Arcade games but also the ability to hold more TV shows and to rent HD movies without having to clear space. The Pro is otherwise unchanged and includes a wireless gamepad and a wired headset along with the HDMI video output that was added to the normal video port last year.
The 60GB edition ships to North America in early August and will sell for the same $349 as the 20GB model.
Microsoft has also confirmed that the update will phase out the 20GB system through a price cut; the older Xbox is discounted to $299 effective today and will stay on the market as long as stock exists. The driveless Xbox 360 Arcade and 120GB Xbox 360 Elite will continue to sell at their respective $279 and $449 prices.
No announcements have been made about leaked plans for a stand-alone 60GB drive, which is believed to be selling later in the year in an Xbox Live bundle for $99, as well as the discontinuation of the add-on 20GB drive.
Filed under: gaming, gadgets
Other story tags: Microsoft, Xbox 360
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Unfortunate
I don't get Microsoft, they are going to have to compete head to head with the PS3 in an ever tighter race, why not cut your losses with the current hardware and bring out a console with a Blu-Ray drive built in, and still lower the price. Microsoft unlike Sony is in the position because of their head start to make sweeping changes to their hardware line-up that Sony can not afford. One of those changes should be to include a Blu-ray drive and get rid of the model with no Hard Drive completely, while still keeping the $299 dollar price point, that way you will get people off the fence who are on it because of that blue ray drive and give people one more reason to buy the console. As usual and typical of Microsoft another huge market miscalculation destined to cost dividends in the future.
Blu-ray
Blu-ray drives are still expensive to manufacture, and Sony loses a LOT of money with each PS3 sold. Heck, the 360 itself loses money on each system, it's only made up for in terms of games and accessories.
discontinue the Arcade
why do they continue to sell the Arcade/Core? why 3 sku's?