When Xbox 360 hit in 2005 promised to revolutionize gaming. Microsoft got most of the way there (conceptually), but the original 360 hardware was not without its quirks
Enter Microsoft's upgrade/Repeat, Xbox 360 p. is not only the chassis slimmer (hence the strange floating "S"), but it is packed with a lot of extra features, used to be sold separately. The most dramatic change is taking place under the hood. Redmond to swap file 360 's power-hungry Setup with a much more economically (e.g. less) motherboard and an integrated CPU/GPU/eDRAM chip. On top of the spatial scale, this means that the 360 is operating volume — usually a hissy, Harrier-esque your — have been greatly reduced. The difference was almost instantly noticeable. While streaming Nextflix, we had no longer turn up the volume to drown out the sound of the fan and the Act of accession of the drive Cycling up no longer made the doors on our entertainment center, Baby Rattle.
The advantages of this technique more far-reaching operating volume. Paired with the console's newly integrated 802 .11n heralded USB 2.0 ports, and one (finally), built-in optical audio port, 360 S actually feels like a living room-ready entertainment powerhouse Microsoft promised five years ago. Play DVDs and/or downloaded video seems a much more natural extension of the functions of that (although we would still love some Blu-ray love), and the army of USB ports displays smart to charge gadgets. Also is the aesthetic effect tangible. Now, where so many features are tastefully built in, similar to the console finally a serious, streamlined home theater unit rather than a whirring, blinking gadget with numerous peripheral flagella.
To be fair, this useful not very different either. In vying to be taken seriously, by 360 S have got rid of old favorites like the customizable faceplates. Also power brick is back (although it has been less), and it's included 250 GB hard drive is still proprietary (and not backwards compatible with older skridninger). And, of course, there is the biggest elephant in the room: If you already have a 360, there probably isn't huge an incentive to upgrade.
In the end it is not all wrong. And Microsoft at the end of the day, in order to make a better (and Kinect-ready) version in 360, and they have largely succeeded. The end result is not necessarily worth, say, drowning last year model in the tub and Best Buy. But, if you have yet to join Xbox fold — or at least want an inexpensive, quiet, games/DVD/Netflix/Hulu box — this year's model is your best bet.
WIRED Leaner, meaner (a little) and quieter. Inches closer we have been waiting in box all-in-one entertainment. Cosmetic hand like touch-sensitive power and eject buttons class up the joint. Advance of price accessories ($ 80 for a Wi-Fi dongle?!) to obsolescence. Want to splurge on Kinect in November? There is a (integrated) port for.
TIRE In many ways the same console we have played since Senior year. Inter-Console data transfers still requires a wonky proprietary cable.
