Microsoft prepping Xbox 360 Slim?

[Wingman1977]

Leaked photos purportedly show a significantly downsized motherboard for next hardware revision, as well as a CPU/GPU combo chip.

Before anyone dismisses this a BS, keep in mind that many (including me) thought that there wasn't going to be a ps3 slim (and we all know how that turned out). So I'll keep open minded on this one (and I'll hold off rebuying a 360 until the this is happening or not).

The questions remain are:

1: Will it have built-in wi-fi

2: Will it be able to use stand alone notebook hard drives (the answer will probably be no due to security issues but if they implement new security features, it could be a yes).

[un4gvn94538]

i think one of the main reasons for slimmer models, is to reduce the retail price for better sales. so i doubt it will have built in wi-fi. besides, didnt they just release a wireless n adapter? i had a 60gig ps3 since launch. i still think my phatty is prettier than the slim although it is cute. i wouldnt buy a slim 360 unless my current one dies and cannot be fixed under warranty.

hard drive? sure it would be nice but again, i would say no. m$ loves the money its making on thier drives.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

i think one of the main reasons for slimmer models, is to reduce the retail price for better sales. so i doubt it will have built in wi-fi. besides, didnt they just release a wireless n adapter? i had a 60gig ps3 since launch. i still think my phatty is prettier than the slim although it is cute. i wouldnt buy a slim 360 unless my current one dies and cannot be fixed under warranty.

hard drive? sure it would be nice but again, i would say no. m$ loves the money its making on thier drives.

Well, I was planning on rebuying a 360 but now I'm going to hold of to see how this slim news pans out.

[Steve]

IMO there are two things they could do to make the console more appealing:

1. Offer built-in wi-fi.

2. Eliminate the power brick. The PS3's power supply is internal. Why can't the 360 be the same way?

They could probably leave it the exact same size it is now and make people happy if they would incorporate these two upgrades.

[STARSCREAM]

They probably want to fix the RROD issue so they figured out a new layout for the innards. How long do you think until the next generation xbox comes out, the 720 or whatever its supposedly gonna be called? I'd think it would be in the next couple years.

[ReverendSlim]

I think there could be truth to this one. Joystiq's reporting that a Spring update will enable the use of USB storage devices for game data, which would render memory cards obsolete. Look at the supposed 360 slim motherboard - no memory card slot on the front, just USB ports. Coincidence? I think not.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by ReverendSlim

I think there could be truth to this one. Joystiq's reporting that a Spring update will enable the use of USB storage devices for game data, which would render memory cards obsolete. Look at the supposed 360 slim motherboard - no memory card slot on the front, just USB ports. Coincidence? I think not.

if thats the case then they could use internal drives as well like the ps3. i just dont think it will happen. the arcade doesnt have a memory card in the box anymore, its built internally.

edit: m$ recently issued a firmware that made third party memory cards useless. there really is Zero reason for that unless they want you to buy m$ products only...greed. if the usb thing pans out, they would lose money on the cards.

Originally Posted by Steve

IMO there are two things they could do to make the console more appealing:

1. Offer built-in wi-fi.

2. Eliminate the power brick. The PS3's power supply is internal. Why can't the 360 be the same way?

They could probably leave it the exact same size it is now and make people happy if they would incorporate these two upgrades.

have you ever felt the 360 brick? it can get hot. i wouldnt want it inside unless they have a way to keep it cooler. my 360 can get kinda warm as is even playing games from the hdd.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

have you ever felt the 360 brick? it can get hot. i wouldnt want it inside unless they have a way to keep it cooler. my 360 can get kinda warm as is even playing games from the hdd.

No it lays on the floor back behind my ET console. I didn't mean they should incorporate it as-si. I would just like to see it updated so that you don't need that huge brick any more. I guess it's worth pointing out, though, that newer consoles have considerably smaller bricks than the older generation consoles had. When I replaced my old console with an Elite a couple of months ago I was pleasantly surprised to see the size difference.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by Steve

No it lays on the floor back behind my ET console. I didn't mean they should incorporate it as-si. I would just like to see it updated so that you don't need that huge brick any more. I guess it's worth pointing out, though, that newer consoles have considerably smaller bricks than the older generation consoles had. When I replaced my old console with an Elite a couple of months ago I was pleasantly surprised to see the size difference.

its good to hear theyre making them smaller and better.

i just read the article about the usb memory update on joystiq. its interesting for sure but im still skeptical. unfortunately, there is a cap to the amount of memory you can use.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

They probably want to fix the RROD issue so they figured out a new layout for the innards. How long do you think until the next generation xbox comes out, the 720 or whatever its supposedly gonna be called? I'd think it would be in the next couple years.

It won't be anytime before 2012 (my money is on after 2013). There really no reason for MS to rush out a whole new console gen. The 360 is doing fine (unlike the original xbox).

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

its good to hear theyre making them smaller and better.

i just read the article about the usb memory update on joystiq. its interesting for sure but im still skeptical. unfortunately, there is a cap to the amount of memory you can use.

There is no mention on a size limit of USB compacity.

EDIT: I take that back, there is a limit.

[Propellarhead9]

I can definitely see Microsoft coming out with a slim model. It's really one of the few things left they can do to the console to bring in people who haven't already bought one. I would probably get myself another one if they do since I had to sell mine a couple months ago.

[ReverendSlim]

Here's some interesting speculation by famed modder Ben Heck that kinda' confirms what I was saying about the memory card slots being gone... plus, he sees headers that could indicate internal hard drives!
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/be...-unit-support/

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by ReverendSlim

Here's some interesting speculation by famed modder Ben Heck that kinda' confirms what I was saying about the memory card slots being gone... plus, he sees headers that could indicate internal hard drives!
http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/18/be...-unit-support/

dont think it confirms anything, he may just agree with you opinion. if it is for memory, it could be for internal memory like the current arcade, just bigger. since this is all just guesses, well just have to wait and see

[ReverendSlim]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

dont think it confirms anything, he may just agree with you opinion.

I was just saying that it confirms what I said about the memory card slots being absent on that board. That's not opinion, 'cause you can clearly see that they're not there. But yeah, since this whole thing may not even be real, nothing's really gonna be "confirmed" until Microsoft shows the thing. Still, Heck's analysis of the board does lend it some credence.

[Wingman1977]

Just remember last year when many people (including me) didn't believe that there was going to be a ps3 slim (even after seeing the photos). We all know how that turned out. If I've learned anything this console gen is to expect the unexpected.

[un4gvn94538]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Just remember last year when many people (including me) didn't believe that there was going to be a ps3 slim (even after seeing the photos). We all know how that turned out. If I've learned anything this console gen is to expect the unexpected.

i wouldnt doubt that there will be a 360 slim. i guess im just doubting that m$ will ease back on the whole memory storage monopoly because of what theyve done in the past. unless theyre going to sell their own proprietary usb drives which would be the only ones that will work on the 360.

[ReverendSlim]

Originally Posted by un4gvn94538

i wouldnt doubt that there will be a 360 slim. i guess im just doubting that m$ will ease back on the whole memory storage monopoly because of what theyve done in the past. unless theyre going to sell their own proprietary usb drives which would be the only ones that will work on the 360.

Well, whether the 360 Slim exists or not, I think it's safe to say that the use of non-proprietary USB mass storage is coming, based on Joystiq's screens and their confirmation from several sources. Microsoft has been losing money on the MUs, whereas they make a freakin' ton on the hard drives. Looks like a smart business move on their part.

[aheineken]

Originally Posted by ReverendSlim

Well, whether the 360 Slim exists or not, I think it's safe to say that the use of non-proprietary USB mass storage is coming, based on Joystiq's screens and their confirmation from several sources. Microsoft has been losing money on the MUs, whereas they make a freakin' ton on the hard drives. Looks like a smart business move on their part.

I'm definitely looking forward to this update. My 60GB HDD has served me well, but I occasionally have to do some "cleaning." An additional 16gb should be more than enough.

[Beefbowl]

I'll buy a 360 slim if it's quieter than the one i have.