MS confirms 60GB Xbox 360 and 20GB price cut

[Zeus]

Microsoft today announced an Xbox 360 console with triple the storage space of the original console, but for the same price of $349. The 60GB console will be available in retail stores in the U.S. and Canada starting in early August. In addition, Microsoft today dropped the price of its 20GB Xbox 360 console in the U.S. and Canada to just $299 (U.S.) (ERP) while supplies last, a savings of $50.

<b>Press Release</b>
Xbox 360 Console Now Offers Triple the Storage

Published July 13, 2008

Redmond, Washington—Microsoft is giving consumers more gigabytes for their buck. The company today announced an Xbox 360® console with triple the storage space of the original console, but for the same price of $349 (U.S.) estimated retail price.

Available in retail stores in the U.S. and Canada starting in early August, the upgraded Xbox 360 will include a 60GB hard drive for storing the growing wealth of digital entertainment available for the console, including music, movies, television shows, and game content. In addition, Microsoft today dropped the price of its 20GB Xbox 360 console in the U.S. and Canada to just $299 (U.S.) (ERP) while supplies last, a savings of $50.

"We know consumers need more and more space to store the amazing digital content Xbox 360 offers, and we're giving it to them at no extra charge," said Albert Penello, Xbox director of product management at Microsoft. "No one device offers the depth and breadth of entertainment that Xbox 360 can deliver, and now you'll have three times the storage to manage all that great content."

Xbox 360 is just one of three Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment systems Microsoft offers. Microsoft's Xbox 360 Arcade, which comes with a 256MB memory unit and five Xbox LIVE Arcade games, is a value for the whole family for $279 (U.S.) (ERP), and the premium Xbox 360 Elite console is available with a 120GB hard drive for $449 (U.S.) (ERP).

Out of the box, the Xbox 360 console is ready to provide an incredible gaming and entertainment experience:

* Xbox 360 console: The console is equipped with a cool white finish and three powerful core processors capable of producing the best in high definition (HD) entertainment (up to 1080p for gaming), 16:9 cinematic aspect ratio, anti-aliasing for smooth textures, full surround sound, and high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) output.

* 60GB Hard Drive: The 60GB detachable hard drive allows you to save your games and store television shows, movies, music, pictures, trailers, levels, demos, and other content available from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the premier one-stop digital download center for entertainment.

* Upscaling DVD Player: With an HDMI cable (sold separately), watch your favorite DVDs in near high-definition using the upscaling capabilities of Xbox 360.

* Xbox 360 Wireless Controller: This award-winning, high-performance wireless controller features the Xbox Guide Button for quick, in-game access to friends and music. It has a range of up to 30 feet and a battery life of up to 30 hours on two AA batteries.

* Xbox 360 Headset: The headset lets friends and family around the world chat while playing games, watching movies, or sending voice messages on Xbox LIVE.

* Xbox LIVE Silver Membership: For no additional cost, Xbox 360 owners can chat with friends online, collect Achievements to improve their Gamerscores, send and receive voice and text messages, and access Xbox LIVE Marketplace content such as game demos, and purchase or rent HD movies and TV shows, as well as the best in downloadable games from Xbox LIVE Arcade. (Broadband Internet access required.)

* One-month subscription to Xbox LIVE Gold: An Xbox LIVE Gold Membership provides a complete online entertainment experience. Those who subscribe to this premium service can engage in competitive online multiplayer matches, tailor their matchmaking via feedback and accomplishments, and chat with an entire group of friends at a time.

[G-Wiki]

I have always known that Microsoft is just a copycat. But this is a new low I haven't expected.

[LordX]

But how about Europe ?! :eek:
Or Europe get f*cked again :mad:

[SP1]

But how about Europe ?! :eek:
Or Europe get f*cked again :mad:
Co sign.....

[Taft]

I have always known that Microsoft is just a copycat. But this is a new low I haven't expected.

Sony & Nintendo are not? Oh please dude :rolleyes:

[poisonousjuice]

what sucks is this is just a clearing out of their 20 gig stock. the arcade is still going to be $280 even though the 20 gig pro is $300. weak! plus no drop in the elite price either :(

[gustavo00]

i know sony said that they wont cut prices... but maybe this move from MS would make sony upgrade their consoles HDDs? ^^

[neoME]

what sucks is this is just a clearing out of their 20 gig stock. the arcade is still going to be $280 even though the 20 gig pro is $300. weak! plus no drop in the elite price either :(

That is not waek but just normal business methods. When one product will get
replaced the company sell it for a cheaper price.
Sony and Nintendo would do the same (and Nintendo did it with the old DS too!!!).
But as usual when the Name "Microsoft" is on the headline, every pessimist comes out of his hole and tries to criticise every step.

[Eggman72]

Is the drive going to be available separately @ a silly price like the 120gb drive ??? :cool:;):eek:

[JimmyHACK_KH]

aww, thought it was gonna be a real price drop on pro revised 60 gig or not.. guess it's just a clearance sale basically

[NexusBurst]

Is the drive going to be available separately @ a silly price like the 120gb drive ??? :cool:;):eek:

only silly people bought the 120gb, the rest just bought a wd bevs or seagate compatible and shoved it in the casing :D

[danight]

stupid move by microsoft... they have a chance to hit sony hard and they back down. Welp looks like another year before we see $199.00.

[JordanBlack68]

stupid move by microsoft... they have a chance to hit sony hard and they back down. Welp looks like another year before we see $199.00.

Yup, thats true

[redwolf]

I have always known that Microsoft is just a copycat. But this is a new low I haven't expected.
what exactly did they copy?

[Evil-Rebirth]

MS really confuses me. They release their console before Sony to get the jump on console sales and then they let Sony outdo them in features without matching them (60gb and 80gb models).

YEARS go by, and then they decide that people need more storage space!?? (And no, the Elite is not really a friendly consumer choice - has that thing even dropped in price?) For a company that wants to dominate the console industry, they sure make some stupid and cocky mistakes. They could've afforded to have done this a long time ago. Yes, the 360 has more games available, but they shouldn't have stopped there. If MS really wants to beat the PS3, then they need to trump them in as many ways as possible. Don't assume that consumers are happy with the way things are, because most of us aren't ready to fork over $200 for a 120gb hdd. Can these guys make it so that people want to actually upgrade their systems without having to spend more $$$ than what a PS3 costs (to get an upgraded 360). The price on the wireless adapter is ridiculous as well.

The PS3 is here, and it is competing with the 360. It's getting better games now and they already have the hardware that MS charges you an arm and a leg for. The software strength for MS is not as big as it used to be for MS, so now they should strengthen their hardware package to keep on top of things. Or are they scared of losing a little bit of money? MS was first to do many things (an included hdd, great online play, and...that's about it) but now they are constantly oblivious to the fact that they are getting their asses handed to them by Sony's hardware options. Now is the time to get serious and give their gamers better more affordable options, and then those gamers will give back because they can recommend the 360 to other friends and have a good reason for their suggestion.

/end rant

[msanchez]

...But as usual when the Name "Microsoft" is on the headline, every pessimist comes out of his hole and tries to criticise every step.

They did the very exact same thing... only tenfold when sony did the exact same thing with the 60GB ps3 model, so you can very well substitute MS for Sony and you would get the same treatment, even if you put Nintendo on there you would still get the same. It's funny how a lot of people claim that only this console or that console is receiving hate here.

stupid move by microsoft... they have a chance to hit sony hard and they back down. Welp looks like another year before we see $199.00.

You were honestly entertaining the thought of a $199 360 anytime this year?

As far as the news goes, it's better than nothing, but I don't think it's the time for MS to be playing it safe. With all the upcoming RPGs I might be tempted to get a 360 at the right price, if they are not announced for the ps3 withing a few months that is, and I'm sure many people have similar reasons. In the end this will hurt them more than it will hurt any of us.

[LH1980]

Got a Pro for $295 yesterday. Probably would've waited for the 60gb version but I want a benq drive. Elite is so not worth it at $450.

[talax]

at least on Amazon.com the Elite is now $399, so it's slightly more appealing, if you like the black color.

don't know how long that will last.

IMO, they really should have dropped the price on the core to $249.

[Jongamer]

Time for me to finally get a 360.

I was planning on a PS3 before getting a 360, but how can I pass it up for only $300, I just don't have the money for a DECENT PS3.

[dOOmy]

Lets see now: 20 gig 360 =$299 + wireless adaptor = $99.00 = $399.00 same as 40 gig ps3

[SpoonerPSP]

Ohh not again with that "$199 is the golden price" crap...:rolleyes:

[pwntendo]

With hot titles like Rock Band 2 coming out this fall, Sony is in desperate need of a price cut or it's going to be another 360 Christmas this year.

[G-Wiki]

what exactly did they copy?

Last year, just before E3, Sony announced to slash the price of the PS3 by $100, and right after that, they introduced a new 80GB SKU to have the same price as the old one with a larger HDD, they also said the 60GB will only available until supplies last. couldn't MS do the same business a little bit differently or at least in a different time? :eek:

[Jongamer]

Lets see now: 20 gig 360 =$299 + wireless adaptor = $99.00 = $399.00 same as 40 gig ps3

Who says I need a Wireless adaptor dickhead.

[NewBeginning]

Lets see now: 20 gig 360 =$299 + wireless adaptor = $99.00 = $399.00 same as 40 gig ps3

You say this like people prefer wireless connections. They're crap unless you can't hardwire.

[NewBeginning]

What really gets me is that the 20Gb HD was overpriced from day one, and it's gotten more and more overpriced as 20Gb has become less and less sufficient. Now they announce a 60Gb HD, which is still too little, and still way overpriced. I dunno much about how HDs are priced, but I know that realistically, you can't even get 60 HDs for normal PCs anymore, and if you get an old or used one, they're not more than $20, right?

The most I could see them charging for the 60Gb SKU is $299, which would be nice, but no, they're keeping it the same.

[dOOmy]

Don't call me "dickhead", Dickhead

[Rotmm]

Lets see now: 20 gig 360 =$299 + wireless adaptor = $99.00 = $399.00 same as 40 gig ps3

Let's see now: 20 gig 360 = $299 + wireless adaptor = $99 = $398

40gig PS3 = $399 + $55 to replace boxed sixaxis with Dualshock + $99 for circa 200gig hard drive for installs + $15 for HDMI cable to enable HD "out of the box" + $50 for headset for online gaming = $618


Aside from that fact that no proper gamer would ever want to play online over wireless, the PS3 is still vastly more expensive :)

[A1ucard]

How come the PS3 fanboys didn't cry "copy cat" when Sony announced the inferior PSN network?

[talax]

What really gets me is that the 20Gb HD was overpriced from day one, and it's gotten more and more overpriced as 20Gb has become less and less sufficient. Now they announce a 60Gb HD, which is still too little, and still way overpriced. I dunno much about how HDs are priced, but I know that realistically, you can't even get 60 HDs for normal PCs anymore, and if you get an old or used one, they're not more than $20, right?

The most I could see them charging for the 60Gb SKU is $299, which would be nice, but no, they're keeping it the same.

the harddrives used in the 360 are 2.5" SATA drives, not 3.5" desktop hard drives, and are more expensive. However, the 2.5" drives have come down in price (and gotten much larger) than when the 360 first came out, and I agree that 60GB is stupid.

The original price of the hard drive separately when the 360 first came out was "reasonable" compared to how much the drive actually cost, but now it's just ridiculous (i.e. they have kept near the same pricing for the drive).


take a look at this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010150380%2050001306&bop=And&Order=PRICE
the difference in cost between an 80GB and 160GB BEVS drive is neglible ($59 to $69).

I have to assume they are getting rid of the 20GB because Western Digital didn't want to make them anymore, since not cost effective.