New Leaked info on birth of 60GB Xbox 360 and death of 20GB

[Zeus]

A website has displayed a portion of an email that is being sent out to GameStop and Blockbuster buyers regarding the 60GB Xbox 360.


Below is a portion of an email being sent out to GameStop and Blockbuster buyers (logistical people handling what the store actually stocks). The email has the complete details on the 60gb hard drive and what will happen to the 20gb and 120gb hard drives. Email follows:

With the introduction of the 60GB Pro console in July, we have research that suggests it is very important to have a 60GB stand alone Hard Drive to go along with it to allow the consumer a full range of choices and values. In late October/early November (exact date TBD but most likely last week in October or 1st week in November), we will ship the Xbox 360 60GB Hard Drive, tentatively called the “Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack”. This will be an excellent value price at and ERP of $99.99 with an 18% retail margin that contains:


· 60GB Hard Drive

· 3 Months of Xbox Live

· Xbox 360 Wired Headset

· Xbox 360 Ethernet Cable (same one that is included with Pro and Elite)

Positioning: For Xbox 360 Arcade and Core console owners, the Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack offers all of the components to get onto Xbox LIVE and jump in to on line multiplayer gaming and Marketplace content downloads at an incredible value.

With the end of life of the 20GB Hard Drive and the price drop of the 120GB Hard Drive to $149.99 in September, this new 60GB hard drive will fit very well into our “Choice and Value” pillar and will fit nicely into our accessory line up. Exact SKU/UPC/Set up info will come soon and once we nail down the exact MSD, I will let you all know immediately.


News Source: <A href="http://xboxfamily.com/us/index.php/Latest/Leaked-Info-on-60gb-Starter-Kit-and-20gb-s-Death.html" target="_blank">XboxFamily.com</a>

[faceless]

they just aren't trying anymore.

[lc204]

Pricey. I think they should shave off at least $20.

[kronikdaddy]

Ya, Great value. They should give away 12 months of LiVE at $99 for a 60GB 2.5 inch drive in a case.

[crypysmoker]

This is just a HARDDRIVE..... it says nothing of a new console with the harddrive... just the HDD itself with other crap..

MS really just is DUH on this whole thing now

[John Crichton]

yes, indeed not cheap

[Bretters]

I'm now under 2gigs free on my 20gb, but $99 for a hard drive is pretty ridiculous.

I think it's time for me to research some alternatives...

[johnnya]

This is just a HARDDRIVE..... it says nothing of a new console with the harddrive... just the HDD itself with other crap..

MS really just is DUH on this whole thing now

Perhaps you didn't notice the part mentioned "with the introduction of the 60gb pro console in July..."

[Aeond]

SKU Generation...

[monaug5]

Ah if only 360 was regoin free....

[jay123_2]

O look more money for ms
what next

[LeGioN1202]

Wow... people think $99 for a 60GB HDD is a good price?

Are we serious here?

[eagles5769]

For $99 the hard drive should be 512GB, that is the going rate right now. A 60GB should cost $40-$50. This is crazy. I'll just continue to delete stuff I want off my 20GB for newer stuff...For PS3 can't you use any hard drive and works the same way as Sony's? An external added onto the 360 will only hold music, movies, etc. not game saves or downloaded content which is pointless for me. Yah Sony!! You got the right idea.

[bhetrick]

Well, let's take a look. Checking Neweggs selection, their 60gig 2.5 drives run $45-$67. So we'll take the average of $56

$56 - 2.5 60gig drive
$20 - 3 months LIVE
$20 - wired headset

That's $96 right there if you want to collect your own parts. Don't forget you need to find some type of case and plug.

So how can you go on bitching about their 60 gig price?

Yes... I do agree that game console accessories are overpriced. But it's like that for every manufacturer. So keeping that in mind and looking at what's included with the 60 gig, the price isn't bad.

It's a hell of a lot better than them selling the 20 gig by itself for $99. At least with the 60, they're including extras.


edit... I forgot they also include a network in the package. So there's another $5-$10.

[kneehighspy]

This is just a HARDDRIVE..... it says nothing of a new console with the harddrive... just the HDD itself with other crap..

MS really just is DUH on this whole thing now


the memo said 'with the release of the new 60gb sku', the new pro sku comes with a 60gb drive and is now priced at $299, not to clear out stock, but is the permanent new pricing (60gb sku).

the new 60gb drive is $99 and the 120gb drive drops to $149.

[beterweter]

knowing the dual shock retail price here is 59.95 euro (92 USD)i call it a fair price

but i'm fine with my 20gig it doesnt take ages to redownload on live.:cool:
our little cell supercomputer on the other hand...wel it takes awhile...

thats my experience at least,or am i the only one?

[rupter13612]

I'm fine with 20GB. I never use it anyways accept to download a crappy demo that I delete as soon as I'm done playing it. Now if they find a way to play backups from the hard drive then I'll defiantly go for a bigger one.

[rommy667]

Where i live the 120 gig hd is 200 euros LOL what a rip off for 199 euros you can get a arcade pak 360.............

[Bretters]

$56 - 2.5 60gig drive
$20 - 3 months LIVE
$20 - wired headset

13 months of live = $28 ; and no one needs another wired headset.

[LH1980]

Any chance of the 60gb SKU having 65nm GPU and Benq drive?

[bhetrick]

13 months of live = $28 ; and no one needs another wired headset.

Really? Maybe you didn't realize that the Arcade or Core doesn't come with a headset or network cable (or the hdd, of course).

Who do you believe the "Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack" would appeal more to... Pro/Elite owners or Arcade/Core owners? Obviously the Arcade/Core owners.

And 13 months retails for $49.99. So I have no idea where you pulled that $28 from.

[bhetrick]

Any chance of the 60gb SKU having 65nm GPU and Benq drive?

I'd be willing to bet that you'll see a small mixture of old and new in the launch consoles (like with the Elite), but the old will quickly dry up... being replaced with the 65nm cpu/gpu and Lite On drive.