PcComputerGuy Tech Bit (Published at MVNNews.com on Nov. 2005)
XBOX 360 – To be, or not to be?
With the holiday seasons coming up, and new tech-items coming out daily, it's hard to keep up, even for us nerdy people who relish in tech toys. However there is one item that will undoubtedly be the talk of the town, the XBOX 360.
Your kids, boyfriend or even husband will almost certainly be asking for it. As quickly as stores can get them, riots break out as people battle furiously for that last one. Is it a wise investment, or just a fad?
The XBOX 360 is definitely the most advanced game system ever created. The system, is in essence a high end PC that boasts 3 powerful PowerPC processors running at 3.2Ghz each. That alone is enough to make any computer-nerd salivate. In comparison the original XBOX has a single 733Mhz processor. Microsoft didn't stop there. The XBOX 360 is loaded with 512MB Ram, eight times the original XBOX. It also has a very high end graphics card, which all combined lead to the most amazingly crisp, fluid and realistic game play ever. But wait, there's more! The XBOX 360 will have the capability to play DVD's and serve as a “Home Media Center”, allowing videos, music and pictures to be accessed. Most importantly, the XBOX 360 is the first game system ever designed to support true High Definition Television. However, this is where we drop the price tag!
The XBOX 360 comes in two flavors; the “Core System” and the standard “XBOX 360”. Think of the “Core System” as the bare bones to get you playing this new game system. Thx XBOX 360 is “real deal”. Striped down to almost nothing, the Core System will set you back $299.99. This Core System will get you the game system, a single wired controller, and the power supply, that's about it. Many of the neat-o features are not available without the additional equipment.
The “XBOX 360”, the real system, comes loaded with tons of additional items which for all intents and purposes are essential to the XBOX 360. This full version will run $399.99, which would make anyone squirm. However the additional 100 dollars spent initially would be well worth it if you're going to purchase the new system. For the extra cash the system comes with a 20 Gigabyte hard drive, component (HD) video cables, an Ethernet cable, one wireless controller, the XBOX 360 live headset for voice chatting, and a universal remote control. This should really be the only option considered if you're going to buy the system. Don't make the mistake of buying the “Core System”, you'll regret it later.
Alrighty then, are we good so far? Now whether to buy it or not…
Generally things from Microsoft are released, then “patched” later on. They typically come with flaws and problems, which will give many users headaches. A friend did note that the original XBOX was not “patched”, however I tend to think with the more complex features and tight integration to broadband, updates may become common place. It's already reported to have overheating and freezing problems 35 minuets into the game play upon its initial release. It's not a good idea to buy the first of anything tech-wise. Consider also the time this product was released. It wouldn't be illogical to assume the system was rushed to get out for the holiday season. This is not to say the system is garbage; simply that as with most items, improvements are made over time.
Also to consider with such a costly investment, is the competition. With PlayStation 3 expected to be released in the spring of 2006, one must consider if the XBOX 360 is the system they truly want to invest in (as most of us can't afford both!). The PlayStation 3 has some even more impressive aspects of it (at least on paper), that may assert itself as the premiere game system of choice. The PS3 lacks in terms of many of the multi-media and extra features compared to the XBOX 360, but is hyped up to be an awesome system, that may rival XBOX 360.
So, what does this nerd recommend? If you can keep everyone sedated long enough for the release of PlayStation 3, then do it. Hold off on buying XBOX 360 until then. The price of the XBOX 360 may be driven down a little bit, in competition with the PlayStation 3. Realistically though, people want the newest hottest thing, and it is approaching Christmas. So if it is the dying wish of that special someone to get an XBOX 360 under the tree, definitely go for it! After all, it is to date the most advanced system ever made- with an impressive set of features, including high definition! Microsoft certainly isn't making any money on the system; $400.00 is very cheap for what the system has in it… but it's still $400.00 for video game system! Add in a game or two, a second control and you're at about $550. That's out of my budget for sure. If you can get away with buying a regular XBOX, or PlayStation 2, go for that. These “older” systems still produce very impressive games, and are far from dead. Games for the “older” systems are much cheaper as well, usually in the $20 to $40 range; whereas XBOX 360 games run around $60 each! Wait until the PS3 is released, then reconsider which next-generation system to invest in. I personally will not be buying the XBOX 360 just yet, but wouldn't be upset if I found it under the Christmas tree!
This article written by:
Nick Ellis
The PcComputerGuy
Phone: 866.653.6748
Got computer problems? Give Nick a call!
