Xbox 360 250GB Console

Product Information

Microsoft was the first to enter this current console-gaming generation with its original Xbox 360, a hulk of a system that beat both Nintendo and Sony to the punch. Microsoft was able to reduce the system's size almost 17 percent by combining the CPU and GPU onto one chipset, and moving the swappable 250 GB hard drive to the interior of the unit. It remains to be seen if this new cooling setup helps prevent, or lowers the rate of overheating and system failure. Gone is the attractively understated matt finish of both the original white Xbox 360 and the later, blacker, Xbox 360 Elite. This reduction is size is no doubt a fringe benefit of the reduced power draw of the Xbox 360 250GB – 135W, down from the ‘ Jasper‘ units’ 150W.

If you don't mind the time-consuming set up, the new Xbox 360, like previous models, features a Media Center extender that gives it the ability to stream content (high-definition video, music, photos, and recorded television) from any Windows Media Center or Windows XP SP2 (or higher) PC. The primary fan and air vent that once wicked heat away through the back of the system now resides on the top of the console as a trapezoid-shaped grill.Microsoft has made many fine improvements to the new Xbox 360 to make it a worthy purchase—for new users. The third-person-shooter Bayonetta, with its huge monsters and epic battles demonstrate the graphic power of the Xbox 360. The memberships get you an Xbox Live avatar that you can customize using a variety of skin shades, body types, clothing and accessories. The infamously large power brick is no longer, replaced by a much smaller affair, no bigger than you’d find supplied with a 15in laptop.

Quite why Microsoft still hasn’t gone down the Sony PS3 route of letting you use any hard drive you like we don’t know, but c’est la vie. The name doesn’t matter, what matters is that it’s here and whether it’s a worthy upgrade to its rather successful predecessor.The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. First-party exclusives like Gears of War 3 and Fable 3 stand out on the Xbox 360, but most games worth playing are available on both the Xbox 360 and PS3. We’re not so sure that we didn’t prefer the previous colour scheme, but since the PS3 Slim changed from gloss black to matt black, we presume Microsoft has no choice but to go the other way. This isn't because Microsoft has found solution to the problem; the red LED has simply been removed. per year) is the gateway by which subscribers can challenge—or play cooperatively—with other gamers.