Microsoft Downgrades 360 Platform

For the past year, I have been adamant that Microsoft would not create a “slim” version of the Xbox 360. Not because there wasn’t a huge buzz for it from the gaming community, or pressure to compete with Sony’s PS3 Slim launch last summer…

No, I was so sure it wouldn’t happen, because I didn’t think Microsoft would be stupid enough to fragment their own market and alienate so many of it’s customers. With the official announcement of the “Xbox 360 250GB” at E3 today, I have been proven wrong.

The first thing wrong with this new iteration is the name, “Xbox 360 250GB”. It appears Microsoft wanted to avoid mimicking Sony’s “Slim” moniker, which is odd, considering how many other ways MS has copied the PS3 with the new 360.

There have been 250GB Xbox 360′s since the Forza Motorsport 3 Super Elite Bundle was released last fall, and it was only a couple months ago that MS began selling 250GB add-on drives at retail (the same 250GB HDD Microsoft had originally said they wouldn’t offer as a stand alone upgrade).

The Xbox 360 finally has an internal, removable hard drive, just like Playstation 3 (even the original PS2 Phat had the capability). Well, not quite like PS3…the new internal 360 drive is still encased in proprietary hardware, and is totally different from the original 360 HDD form factor. Kinda makes you feel like a sucker for buying that 250GB drive for $130, doesn’t it?

And how are you feeling about that 512MB memory card that you paid $30 to $50 for not too long ago? Remember how MajorNelson urged you to get your data onto “official” storage devices last November, when they announced they would be blocking the Datel Max Memory Cards? Did you notice that Microsoft didn’t announce the USB memory card update until their overpriced, minuscule memory units were almost completely out of stock? Or that they didn’t mention the total removal of memory card slots in the coming revision?

While the original memory units are very much outdated at this point, they should have included at least one in the new design, for backwards compatibility and to not completely piss on their customers.

Why hasn’t there been any official chatter about the new 360 before now? Not even a “we’ll be revealing the latest version of Xbox at E3 2010″? Everything has been strictly rumor till today, which also happens to be launch day. Could it be they wanted to milk you for every dollar, to keep you buying their $100.00 Wireless N adapters, and $130.00 250GB hard drives?

Another potential “upgrade” backfire could be the built-in Wireless N network adapter. The 360 usb wireless adapters have already had problems connecting/being detected (especially when plugged into the back of the 360), how will being internal affect range and speed? And what if you have problems with your new internal wireless adapter? You can’t just try a different USB port, or send in your adapter…you’ll have to send your whole system in for repair!

Aesthetically, when Sony redesigned the PS3, they chose to abandon the shiny, polished look of the original systems, which was prone to dust and fingerprints. In this case, Microsoft has gone backwards in their attempts to mimic Sony’s platform.

My final concern is the large new vent holes above the newly combined cpu and graphics chip. These holes are much larger, meaning that larger objects can find their way inside your system. Under normal circumstances it shouldn’t be of much concern, but imagine for a moment that somehow something got in there…Like a pen or a pencil, jammed through the hole by a curious child, stopping the cooling fan and burning out the motor. Or a bit of crayon deposited for safe keeping, right on top the heat-sink that is designed to dissipate heat…

Clearly there are several large improvements with the redesigned 360. The Kinect auxiliary power port and the now included wireless networking adds value and convenience, while reduced fan noise makes all your Xbox related entertainment that much more enjoyable (and audible). Five USB ports reduce the need for separate USB hubs (although the upcoming Rock Band 3 could potentially test the connection capacity of even this new system), and reduced cpu/gpu die size means a cooler running system that uses less electricity.

Despite all the improvements, I feel that the “Xbox 360 250GB” is a continuation of Microsoft’s original sin. Five years later, Microsoft is releasing the console that the Xbox 360 should have been from the beginning. In the process, they are splintering the platform by changing the form factors that have been staples of 360 accessories since product launch.

That being said, I would not be upset to see one show up mysteriously at my door…

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