360 about to get 'Ultimate'?

[sikkinixx]

http://kotaku.com/339793/stuff-specs-out-the-xbox-360-ultimate

Bill Gates: MORE SKU'S!!!!!

http://cache.kotaku.com/assets/resources/2006/11/angrybill.jpg





Honestly, 320GB HDD? Jesus Christ... what the hell for?! How many xbox originals to people plan to buy? How about making the premium bundle having more than a wussy 20GB instead? And a built-in HD-DVD drive? no... please no... make the ****ing format BS die already... please...

[Dagless]

This is getting silly now, you too Sony.

Cut price, decrease storage capacity, wait a bit and increase storage capacity, add a port, nip/tuck here and there.

Would have been nice if they just properly thought out a single SKU and kept it that way. Ho hum. I mean I thought the benefit of playing consoles over PC's is the lack of updates. Only thing is you can't just buy a cheap update, oooh no - you need to buy a whole new system :rolleyes:

[zap2]

I think, if its true, They'd market it as a DVR, that can do Xbox games.


But if they do market it as an SKU, they shouldn't have made an Elite model.

[Dagless]

I think, if its true, They'd market it as a DVR, that can do Xbox games.

That catostrophically failed for Sony and they're in said market! I don't think they'll do this. Just another excuse to keep MS from dropping the price of the high end 360.

[sikkinixx]

Sony had it right (if you wanna do 2 SKUs) with the 20 vs. 60GB because losing some HDD space and Wireless isn't crippling. They screwed up with the 60 vs 80 vs 40 because they aren't all able to do everything (B/C being the biggie). To make the 'real' SKU and then the cheap-o SKU for people who are on the fence is a good idea.

But Sony's 40/60/80 and MS with Core/20/120/Halo3/(Ultimate?) like Jesus... how many do you need? MS already screwed up with the Core since devs can't use installs (which sucks with games like hm... Mass Effect)

[deggs37]

But Sony's 40/60/80 and MS with Core/20/120/Halo3/(Ultimate?) like Jesus... how many do you need? MS already screwed up with the Core since devs can't use installs (which sucks with games like hm... Mass Effect)

Don't forget the 360 Arcade bundle.

[JackAxe]

If I buy this system, I'll CLEARLY be better than any elite owners, because I'll be ULTIMATE!!! How will anyone that has already bought a 360 live with the thought that something BETTER is going to be be released. :p

I'm still holding out for this one. It's guaranteed not to break:
http://www.atavisticarts.com/public/fun/uber360.jpg

<]=)

[GFLPraxis]

You know...I no longer trust Kotaku ever since they horribly misquoted me to make my interviewee look stupid, so I always follow the source.

Source states:

This PS3-killer will benefit from almost three years of Xbox development, featuring 1080p HDMI output, built-in Wi-Fi, hi-def audio output, cooler 65nm hardware architecture and a near-silent fan.

It’ll also have the ability to make the most of the by-then established Xbox IPTV service, which will mean recording TV shows to its vast 320GB hard disk and watching live TV shows via your broadband provider.


Correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't the 360 Premium have all of this except for the bigger hard drive and cooler running (fan+65nm)?


Also, aren't 2.5" 320 GB drives incredibly expensive right now, almost as much as a 360 Core? Only Western Digital makes notebook drives that big, and they sell them at $200 online right now. Even NewEgg (usually one of the cheapest resellers) only has them at $200, and Best Buy and CompUSA don't even carry it.

EDIT: Ah right, Wi-Fi is built in. I forgot that Microsoft is the only one that charges a ridiculous $99 extra- almost as much as a DS, which has one built in.

In fact, Microsoft is both the only company to charge for WiFi (all current PS3, DS, and Wii models have it built in) and the only company to charge for online play. Seriously, anyone who defends this is just silly at this point. Microsoft's system clearly has the worst TCO if you're playing online. Some people will say "you don't need WiFi!" and I've even heard some silly person a while back saying that WiFi was useless for gaming, but anyone saying that kind of stuff is just evading the point.

[sikkinixx]

^

MS gets off because XBL is fantastic. If Sony can get something up to that level it would be great since it would force MS to a) do something new or b) cut the price of XBL which would be awesome since I would rather buy a new game than XBL.

[Iscariot]

Ultimate? Snore.

Call me when they get Triple XXXtreme.

[2nyRiggz]

Sony had it right (if you wanna do 2 SKUs) with the 20 vs. 60GB because losing some HDD space and Wireless isn't crippling. They screwed up with the 60 vs 80 vs 40 because they aren't all able to do everything (B/C being the biggie). To make the 'real' SKU and then the cheap-o SKU for people who are on the fence is a good idea.


I think if this do come to the front its only MS way of playing catch up to what Sony did with the PS3(including these things at the begining)...which is a good thing for those who don't have an xbox but too many SKUs are confusing people....I hope they drop one if they add this one to the mix.

They should of done what Nintendo did and dont add a HDD at all and make everyone life miserable...at least its only one SKU.


Bless

[LethalWolfe]

The 360 and IPTV is really what interests me. Not necessarily as a consumer, but from an entertainment industry standpoint. Between games, Live, IPTV,DVR, movie downloads, and the HD-DVD add-on M$ is making a very strong move to the be the living room media-hub that they've been gunning for for so long. If this is all true and the price isn't insane Apple better have some cool iTMS & :apple:TV announcements at MWSF to steal some of MS's thunder.


Lethal

[MacRumorUser]

The 360 and IPTV is really what interests me. Not necessarily as a consumer, but from an entertainment industry standpoint. Between games, Live, IPTV,DVR, movie downloads, and the HD-DVD add-on M$ is making a very strong move to the be the living room media-hub that they've been gunning for for so long. If this is all true and the price isn't insane Apple better have some cool iTMS & :apple:TV announcements at MWSF to steal some of MS's thunder.


Lethal


Yeah I agree with this. IPTV really interests me, it just feels like the wave of the future...

[Coded-Dude]

xbox has DVR?

[Dagless]

IPTV can go run. I've said before how Freeview TV takes up about 4.5mbps for a 576i signal with decent codecs. What speed broadband am I going to need to get the same quality video and be able to use the internet too?

"Antoni, Nicole... get the **** off Xbox Live and Google Earth you're lagging out Emmerdale"

[Mike Teezie]

I wish SKUs would go the way of the dodo. My friend is looking to get a 360, and called me about all the SKUs MS is featuring. Arcade, Premium, Elite, Halo.....etc. How silly.

Someone mentioned - one of the main appeals of consoles, simplicity.

Buy console, take out of box. Buy game, take out of box. Play. Repeat.

Repeat too often, red rings. Arrrrggghhhhh!

[MacRumorUser]

I agree one SKU is always best.... however it seems that Microsoft love to offer 65 versions of the same product....

[spyker3292]

I agree one SKU is always best.... however it seems that Microsoft love to offer 65 versions of the same product....

only 65? :D

[gkarris]

Cool it everyone (pun intended)...

I heard that MS was going to release a version to compete with the 80 Gig PS3 and the new $399 PS3 (40Gig)

Remember that the Halo version is really a limited version.

MS will also start using the cooler chips.

New prices and Specs? (IMHO)

Core: $249
Premium (20Gig): $299
Elite (120Gig): $349
Ultimate (120Gig, HD DVD, wireless): $399

They have to try to stay ahead of Sony. I got my 40Gig PS3 for $299 after a rebate. Some places are giving away an extra controller. Then add in the 5 free BD movies...

[twoodcc]

yeah, all these different editions are getting out of hand. it seems like they are just trying to get the 360 more like the PS3

[GFLPraxis]

Elite (120Gig): $349
Ultimate (120Gig, HD DVD, wireless): $399


This pricing seems unrealistic; only $49 to add both WiFi (a normally $99 addon) and HD-DVD (a normally $199 addon, and unlike WiFi, not selling with huge profit margins).

Unless Microsoft is selling the Elite at considerable profit or the Ultimate at a big loss, this doesn't make sense. It would also make anyone who buys the Elite over Ultimate a moron. Now maybe if you make Ultimate $449...

[GFLPraxis]

yeah, all these different editions are getting out of hand. it seems like they are just trying to get the 360 more like the PS3

Huh? The PS3 only has two SKUs at any one time and has had a total of four.

Microsoft has had two at launch and three or four at any one time since. Let's see...

XBox 360 Core, XBox 360 Arcade, XBox 360 Premium, XBox 360 Elite, XBox 360 Halo Edition...

[Markleshark]

I might think about it as long as it's not in fracking black.

[MacRumorUser]

I might think about it as long as it's not in fracking black.

So pink polka dots Mr.Blobby style it is then ;):D

[Markleshark]

So pink polka dots Mr.Blobby style it is then ;):D

Nahhhhh. ;) Has to be white to match everything. Ohhh, they could offer both colours, that should satisfy Bills blood lust for SKUs.

[MacRumorUser]

, they could offer both colours, that should satisfy Bills blood lust for SKUs.

Bad Boy!!! Don't be giving him ideas ;):p

[Antares]

Remember the days when we had one system choice per manufacturer? A SNES or a Genesis? A Jaguar, N64, 3DO or Playstation, etc...?

You all know that this is half a ploy to get consumers to rebuy a system that they already have. Previously, you would buy a SNES and it would last the entire generation. Nintendo wouldn't release a SNES Ultra, a black SNES, a white SNES, etc.. If you wanted a Nintendo system, you had one choice.

System manufacturers should have one SKU and keep all the features the same for the life of the generation. Update components to improve quality but keep all of the features identical. Having alternate colors is fine. Kind of like toilet paper....you pick amongst many different colors but the blue toilet paper functions exactly the same as the tan toilet paper. Now, this is actually a brilliant marketing move on Sony's, Microsoft's and Nintendo's part. Bumping up the HD space, adding built-in wi-fi, etc. induces virtual penis envy in quite a few of the earlier purchasers. Their older system is apparently no longer "good enough" even though it plays the same games.

Essentially, the game system manufacturers have figured out how to create the hype and demand of a system launch, multiple times, with the same system, within a single generation. Previously, when a system launched, there would be one huge spike in sales and demand. Now, they're able to get mini demand spikes by releasing the same system, again and again, with new features. And consumers eat this up... all the while the manufacturers laugh all the way to the bank. When you think about it, this is quite stupid on the consumer's part. The manufacturers could have included all of the "new" features from the beginning. They could have done true research to determine what consumers really want and designed the system properly from the start. But alas, people can continue to indulge their ignorant greed and buy the same system again and again...all the while filling the coffers of businesses who will do anything to take advantage of clueless consumers.

[gkarris]

This pricing seems unrealistic; only $49 to add both WiFi (a normally $99 addon) and HD-DVD (a normally $199 addon, and unlike WiFi, not selling with huge profit margins).

Unless Microsoft is selling the Elite at considerable profit or the Ultimate at a big loss, this doesn't make sense. It would also make anyone who buys the Elite over Ultimate a moron. Now maybe if you make Ultimate $449...

Remember that the HD DVD drive is standalone and has a movie and a remote (not neccessary if built in) and now sells only at $179, so you must consider the cost of only the bare drive...

Maybe $449 if you consider that MS includes both high-def cables (HDMI and component), plus remember prices are going down and if they integrate wireless on the new board...

[gkarris]

Remember that the HD DVD drive is standalone and has a movie and a remote (not neccessary if built in) and now sells only at $179, so you must consider the cost of only the bare drive...

Maybe $449 if you consider that MS includes both high-def cables (HDMI and component), plus remember prices are going down and if they integrate wireless on the new board...

The whole thing about built-in HD DVD - scratch that....:eek:

(fat lady sings in background....)

[madfresh]

They want to be at the top. Which will never happen...

[sikkinixx]

Remember the days when we had one system choice per manufacturer? A SNES or a Genesis? A Jaguar, N64, 3DO or Playstation, etc...?

You all know that this is half a ploy to get consumers to rebuy a system that they already have. Previously, you would buy a SNES and it would last the entire generation. Nintendo wouldn't release a SNES Ultra, a black SNES, a white SNES, etc.. If you wanted a Nintendo system, you had one choice.



Nintendo did make a few versions of the SNES and Sega made a few of the Genesis (and then CD and 32X). And lets not forget Gameboy, Gameboy Colour, Gameboy Light, Gameboy Pocket....

[ReanimationLP]

Ah, go figure, it is the same company that made 4 different SKUs for XP, 9 or more for Vista, and a crapton for Office in the past.

Remember Xbox? You know, it was only ONE SKU? They all were black, and had a 8GB HDD?

Well, the Halo one doesnt count too much as it was a limited edition product.

[2nyRiggz]

Guess they'll have to put that blu-ray in there now huh...xbox360Blu?

If you are going to count the Halo SKU well go ahead and count the Simpsons one as well...MS really needs to cut out the crap and get rid of some of them...keep two and get rid of the rest.

xbox360 arcade :rolleyes:

Bless

[Jasonbot]

Also, whats with Microsoft and all its frikkin' propriety. Random wireless for controllers, no bluetooth, doesn't work with other wifi dongles, HDD's that cost a fortune! whereas the Playstaion3 uses existing technology like bluetooth, SATA HDD's, standard card slots.

I own an Xbox 360 Premium.

[Dagless]

Random wireless? WTF, it's RF. The wireless technology that's been kicking around before BlueTooth and for years was preferred over such because of lag!

(few years ago I felt the same as I had a Logitech RF mouse and a BT Mighty mouse - the lag was as clear as day.)

[Jasonbot]

Random wireless? WTF, it's RF. The wireless technology that's been kicking around before BlueTooth and for years was preferred over such because of lag!

(few years ago I felt the same as I had a Logitech RF mouse and a BT Mighty mouse - the lag was as clear as day.)

Ok so it's not *that* random :P

[sikkinixx]

Random wireless? WTF, it's RF. The wireless technology that's been kicking around before BlueTooth and for years was preferred over such because of lag!

(few years ago I felt the same as I had a Logitech RF mouse and a BT Mighty mouse - the lag was as clear as day.)

yeah but MS locks down it's signal or whatever so only their products (and a few such as the GH3 guitar) will work on it, basically making it closed off.

[Dagless]

Proprietary wifi dongle, proprietary memory card, proprietary HDD (well it's Sata but you can't just use any sata drive), encrypted and locked RF.

But I dunno. To me the PS3 feels more like a PC. And I don't necessarily like that. 'Course stuff costs less for it but I want to get as far away from my PC as possible when it comes to console gaming (which going back to the original topic - these 2 next gen consoles seem adamant to bring the worse of PC gaming to consoles).

I wish the PSP didn't use that proprietary Memory Stick and used something a little more standard. £40 for a 4gb Memory Stick or £20 for a 4gb SD card which could actually be used to display my cameras pics :rolleyes:

[risc]

To me the PS3 feels more like a PC.

:eek:

[Dagless]

^ Read forum rules? http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:Forum_Rules#Things_Not_to_Do

[risc]

^ Read forum rules? http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:Forum_Rules#Things_Not_to_Do

Wow you really are a di... oh I'll stop now.

[GFLPraxis]

Random wireless? WTF, it's RF. The wireless technology that's been kicking around before BlueTooth and for years was preferred over such because of lag!

(few years ago I felt the same as I had a Logitech RF mouse and a BT Mighty mouse - the lag was as clear as day.)

It's actually still pretty random; I mean, the protocols it uses to communicate over RF are totally proprietary and they still won't release it to third parties. IIRC the only third party to ever be given the protocols to build a controller that works with the 360 is Activision, to make the Guitar Hero 3 controller. They weren't able to make a wireless guitar for GH2 because MS wouldn't give them the information, and third parties like Nyko can't make any wireless XBox 360 accessories.

[GFLPraxis]

^ Read forum rules? http://guides.macrumors.com/Help:Forum_Rules#Things_Not_to_Do

Your post just had four words (three words + 1 URL). That counts as a useless post too :D

[Dagless]

It's actually still pretty random; I mean, the protocols it uses to communicate over RF are totally proprietary and they still won't release it to third parties. IIRC the only third party to ever be given the protocols to build a controller that works with the 360 is Activision, to make the Guitar Hero 3 controller. They weren't able to make a wireless guitar for GH2 because MS wouldn't give them the information, and third parties like Nyko can't make any wireless XBox 360 accessories.

Yup, it is closed off. You still need to get one of MS's own USB dongles to use 360 controllers with your PC or Mac. I was hoping to use my old Logitech USB RF reciever when the 360 first came out :o

[Jasonbot]

Random wireless? WTF, it's RF. The wireless technology that's been kicking around before BlueTooth and for years was preferred over such because of lag!

(few years ago I felt the same as I had a Logitech RF mouse and a BT Mighty mouse - the lag was as clear as day.)

yeah but MS locks down it's signal or whatever so only their products (and a few such as the GH3 guitar) will work on it, basically making it closed off.

It's actually still pretty random; I mean, the protocols it uses to communicate over RF are totally proprietary and they still won't release it to third parties. IIRC the only third party to ever be given the protocols to build a controller that works with the 360 is Activision, to make the Guitar Hero 3 controller. They weren't able to make a wireless guitar for GH2 because MS wouldn't give them the information, and third parties like Nyko can't make any wireless XBox 360 accessories.

Yup, it is closed off. You still need to get one of MS's own USB dongles to use 360 controllers with your PC or Mac. I was hoping to use my old Logitech USB RF reciever when the 360 first came out :o

Yup, It's random alright!

[Dagless]

It's only as "random" as each systems game discs are. Since they're all using the same medium, just encoded using each systems own copy protection system and executables. .pbp for PSP, .xbe for Xbox et al.

[ZenErik]

ULTIMATE? ZOMFGZ. Good thing I'm not in the market for an XBox 360 and never will be. I see no Final Fantasy or MGS! Once MGS and FFXIII hit the PS3, I shall make a purchase.