xbox 360 -- Core vs. Premium??

[MBHockey]

I'm kind of a stranger to consoles, but i am looking into an xbox 360 for christmas. What is the difference between the core and premium systems? It's another $100, but all i want is to just play games. I don't plan on using it as a media center, or even watching DVDs. Will the core system be suitable?

[gloss]

I'm kind of a stranger to consoles, but i am looking into an xbox 360 for christmas. What is the difference between the core and premium systems? It's another $100, but all i want is to just play games. I don't plan on using it as a media center, or even watching DVDs. Will the core system be suitable?

Smaller hard drive and lack of a wireless controller I believe are the biggies. There may be more.

[quagmire]

Smaller hard drive and lack of a wireless controller I believe are the biggies. There may be more.

There is no HD on the core 360. You have to buy a memory stick for it. Wired controller, no headset for live, and no component cables( that means if you have a HDTV or plan to get one soon, you will have to buy that as well in order to have your games in HD). It is well worth the extra $100 to get the premium system. The hard drive itself costs $100. So the cables, wireless controller, and headset are really free in the premium system.

[greatdevourer]

I'd recommend the Premium, as the HDD'll give you demos

[MBHockey]

Hmmm ok...sounds like premium is a better buy. I don't have an HDTV...is it pointless to get this system then? Will games look much worse on non hd-tv systems?

[MacRumorUser]

buy the premium.

by the time you add the cost of a component cable and a couple of memory cards to save your games and maybe a headset you have already surpassed the $100 difference by a margin.

Even if your only playing games, the premium one with Hard Drive is needed if you want to download game demos - so you can try before you buy.

You also need the Hard Drive for xbox backwards compatability.

The core will cost you more in the end.

Premium all the way.


Hmmm ok...sounds like premium is a better buy. I don't have an HDTV...is it pointless to get this system then? Will games look much worse on non hd-tv systems?

Games will still look far better than ps2 or xbox even without High Definition TV.
With HDTV they look sharper - that's all.

If your sticking with standard definition TV, then please buy an S-Video cable (or RGB scart cable if your in the UK) as it will improve the picture quality a lot more than the standard composite phono cable that comes with it.


If you want High Definition, and have a computer monitor, you can always buy a 360 VGA cable. This will give you HD without the need for the TV using your current equipment...

[psycoswimmer]

Hmmm ok...sounds like premium is a better buy. I don't have an HDTV...is it pointless to get this system then? Will games look much worse on non hd-tv systems?

If you don't have an HDTV, and your new to consoles, I'd suggest a Nintendo Wii. I'll admit, I'm bias toward the Wii but for someone that's new to consoles and does not have an HDTV, the Wii seems like the best, and most fun, choice.

[MBHockey]

If you want High Definition, and have a computer monitor, you can always buy a 360 VGA cable. This will give you HD without the need for the TV using your current equipment...

I have a 24" iMac and El Gato EyeTV...can i hook up a 360 to it and get HD picture quality?

[MacRumorUser]

I have a 24" iMac and El Gato EyeTV...can i hook up a 360 to it and get HD picture quality?

you can hook them up, buy the chances are it wont be High Definition unless your EyeTV hardware has component input (which is unlikely i'm afraid).

You will still be able to enjoy it on your TV though.

[MBHockey]

This is the one that's on its way:

http://elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetv250

Does it have what i need?

[MacRumorUser]

This is the one that's on its way:

http://elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetv250

Does it have what i need?


You will be able to play no problems with it but not in High Definition.

That has s-video and composite phono in only which as standard definition.

You will be able to run your 360 through it, but it wont look as sharp as it would if it was connected via component or VGA to a monitor, but it should still look very good.

But dont worry, just hook it up and enjoy.

[MBHockey]

You will be able to play no problems with it but not in High Definition.

That has s-video and composite phono in only which as standard definition.

You will be able to run your 360 through it, but it wont look as sharp as it would if it was connected via component or VGA to a monitor, but it should still look very good.

But dont worry, just hook it up and enjoy.

Thank you for your time :)

[MacRumorUser]

Thank you for your time :)

Your welcome :)

[risc]

If you don't have an HDTV, and your new to consoles, I'd suggest a Nintendo Wii. I'll admit, I'm bias toward the Wii but for someone that's new to consoles and does not have an HDTV, the Wii seems like the best, and most fun, choice.

UM... why? :rolleyes:

Do games stop working on the 360 when you only have a SDTV? Does online not work anymore? Does Xbox Live Arcade just plain stop? Once again... :rolleyes:

[clayj]

The only reasons to buy a 360 Core are:

1. Your 360 has died out of warranty and you want to replace it.
2. You can get it for at least $100 off retail ($199 or less).

Otherwise, buy the Premium.

[takao]

UM... why? :rolleyes:

Do games stop working on the 360 when you only have a SDTV? Does online not work anymore? Does Xbox Live Arcade just plain stop? Once again... :rolleyes:

depends if you want to read stuff on your screen

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/capcom/capcom-screws-sdtv-users-the-sequel-217066.php

;)

[risc]

depends if you want to read stuff on your screen

http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/capcom/capcom-screws-sdtv-users-the-sequel-217066.php

;)

Fair enough; I guess making sure the launch games on the Wii have no online support is 1 way to get around this.

OP GameSpot have a comparison guide for the different cables you can get for the 360 if you are interested. http://gamespot.com/features/6139690/index.html?q=xbox%20360%20cable%20comparison. IMHO Component video on a standard definition TV is what you should go for (at least). S-video via the EyeTV may look okay I guess.

[Dagless]

UM... why? :rolleyes:

Do games stop working on the 360 when you only have a SDTV? Does online not work anymore? Does Xbox Live Arcade just plain stop? Once again... :rolleyes:

I laughed my face off when my brother, with his 20" 4:3 tube TV bought a 360, no internet connection either. Here's this machine that can render a mall full of zombies, or stuffed toys imitating Animal Crossing being shrunk down to run on this machine that offered little over his original Xbox. I mean I played GoW on his machine and I just laughed. The situation just seemed bizarre, can't put my finger on exactly why. 480i stereo sound. magic.

I'd say buy an Xbox first. They're cheap as hell now. You know (OP) you'd benefit if Microsoft made a non-HD version of the 360.

[risc]

I was wondering how long it would be before The Usual Suspect arrived...

[nitynate]

I would go for the premium.

You get the wireless and the harddrive.

That alone is enough for me. :)

[clayj]

I would go for the premium.

You get the wireless and the harddrive.

That alone is enough for me. :)Wireless controller, you mean... if you want wireless networking, you have to buy that separately in any case.

[Dagless]

I was wondering how long it would be before The Usual Suspect arrived...

What the hell is your problem?

[combatcolin]

Being locked into an expensive properity hard drive is crap, very crap.

:mad:

At least with the PS3 you can rip out the standard HD and shove in a bigger off the shelf HD.

Along with the high price this has been the reason i have delayed buying a 360.

[macman2790]

get the premium, it has way more bang for your buck than the core package.

[nitynate]

Wireless controller, you mean... if you want wireless networking, you have to buy that separately in any case.
This is true.

:)

[greatdevourer]

What the hell is your problem? No offense, but you're very very predictable :p Not quite as much as Oni, but...

[Dagless]

Well the guy says he just wants to play games. He has no HDTV and doesn't seem much an avid gamer.
If I was him why would I spend hundreds of pounds when I could play a system I haven't played before for less with more available games?

[risc]

Well the guy says he just wants to play games...

With a topic title like Xbox 360 -- Core vs. Premium I think it could be safe to assume he would like to play Xbox 360 games. So the question is; Is the Core pack better value than the Premium? I think we can all agree the answer is a HELL NO!

[viccles]

Get the premium. Much better value!

[MacRumorUser]

Sorry Jimmi but the lads right on this one

When a person is asking which Xbox they should buy - then answer the question. It's getting tiring for every thread to be taken over by people (and this isnt a dig at you persay but a but a list of others im keeping an eye on as well ) who decide that the poster needs to be told to buy another console.

If the 'which' guide did the same it would have folded it a second...

If some one asks which ps3 / 360 / wii bundle they should buy - then we should respect that OP and just advise on what we seem to be the most appropriate bundle to answer their question.

If someones asking about 360 versus Wii or some such then fair enough we can debate the benefits of a different console.

At the end of the day people should respect the OP - and this applies to all threads not just this one, because it seems like everytime a format thread starts up someone with a different ajenda has to have the buy a wii/ps3/360 instead comment.

As the lads have said this is core xbox versus premium, and the simple answer is premium.



MBHockey i wish you all the best in your purchase. Good luck :)

[viccles]

Sorry Jimmi but the lads right on this one

When a person is asking which Xbox they should buy - then answer the question. It's getting tiring for every thread to be taken over by people (and this isnt a dig at you persay but a but a list of others im keeping an eye on as well ) who decide that the poster needs to be told to buy another console.

If the 'which' guide did the same it would have folded it a second...

If some one asks which ps3 / 360 / wii bundle they should buy - then we should respect that OP and just advise on what we seem to be the most appropriate bundle to answer their question.

If someones asking about 360 versus Wii or some such then fair enough we can debate the benefits of a different console.

At the end of the day people should respect the OP - and this applies to all threads not just this one, because it seems like everytime a format thread starts up someone with a different ajenda has to have the buy a wii/ps3/360 instead comment.

As the lads have said this is core xbox versus premium, and the simple answer is premium.



MBHockey i wish you all the best in your purchase. Good luck :)

Good points made there MRU :)

[Spanky Deluxe]

So what if the OP only asked between the Core and the Premium, it doesn't mean people can't make other suggestions, other things for the OP to consider. If he doesn't have an HDTV, is new to consoles and wouldn't mind the idea of saving $100 off the premium model then what's wrong in suggesting to him to maybe have a look at the standard Xbox which he could get for much less money and play games.
Psycoswimmer also suggested the Wii and there was nothing wrong with throwing that into the discussion either.

Anyway, back OT. Between the Premium and the Core I would only go for the Premium. You still need to add a memory card to the Core model anyway so the cost difference decreases a bit and the Premium is certainly much better value for money. A lot of places are now doing Xbox 360 Premium bundles which are even better value for money and worth looking into.

[ReanimationLP]

To the OP -

Premium, much, much better value.

Also, try to hunt around thrift stores for a VGA CRT monitor thats 17 or 19", that will give you HD using the VGA cable, or check around for some cheap LCD deals. Get an LCD to where you can hook it up to both your Mac, and your Xbox 360, and just toggle between the two.

[sikkinixx]

If someones asking about 360 versus Wii or some such then fair enough we can debate the benefits of a different console.



Just pondering, how many 360vsWiivsPS3vsDSvsPSP threads are debates? Im guessing 1 out of 10. Most are just flame wars that end in nothing being resolved.


But, to the OP. Premium. Core is a ripoff unless you got the $100 Core from Amazon (sadly, 1 day only). Don't worry if you don't have an HDTV, you probably will one day (or you will have a computer monitor that can use VGA cables) and all the extra jazz in the premium is worth the money.

Pay extra now so you dont pay 3x as much later.

Enjoy :D

[MacRumorUser]

Just pondering, how many 360vsWiivsPS3vsDSvsPSP threads are debates? Im guessing 1 out of 10. Most are just flame wars that end in nothing being resolved.

Unfortunetly true, but i was trying to at least set some boundry so not all of them turn into flamefest. The priorty should always be to the OP, if a person has a chip on there shoulder that they need to get off - then they can start there own threads. Its getting tiring having people hijack threads all the time.

To the OP - if you have any trouble with your 360 on your imac - you can pm me for assistance if your stuck.

[MBHockey]

Great, thanks :)