Rumor: 360 Elite facing the chopping block

[Queasy]

Fudzilla

Exclusive: Sources tell us that this is the case in some areas

We have been following a rumor that we have been hearing from a couple of our sources that suggests Microsoft may be ending the sale of the Xbox 360 Elite in many parts of the world, with the Elite moving into a more limited edition role in the Xbox 360 console line up.

The story that we are hearing goes something like this? Microsoft will stop taking orders for the Xbox 360 Elite at some point during the second quarter and allow inventory of the Elite consoles to start to run down. The majority of retailers would prefer just a low-end and a high-end console, so this change will be made during the second quarter, which is the fourth fiscal quarter for Microsoft.

Once inventory is depleted, the Elite system will move to more of a limited edition role that will be available only at select retailers, and likely only in North America and Europe. The Elite consoles that will be available in these areas sbould be more like the recent Resident Evil 5 Red Elite Limited Edition console, rather than the standard Elite package that Microsoft has offered in the past.

It is possible that the price tag on these Elite limited edition consoles could be higher, but they will be themed and likely include a top shelf title like Microsoft is doing with the Resident Evil 5 Red Elite Limited Edition console.

As part of this transition, our sources continue to tell us that Microsoft will begin offering a larger hard drive that is bigger than the 120GB drive that they are currently offering for those that either have an Arcade model and want to add the hard drive or those that have a Pro system and want to upgrade.

The decision to move away from the Elite, according to what we have been hearing, has more to do with money and the economy than it does with anything else. Retailers do not want to stock high-priced Elite systems, which tend to sit on the shelves longer than the Arcade and Pro systems.

In addition, the majority of Elite consoles are sold to hardcore gamers who know that they want an Elite and to that end Microsoft does not need to have every retailer offering the Elite as an option. From what we have been told, with the more Limited Edition format for the Elite, Microsoft can likely make a few more dollars from the console because of its limited edition nature.

While the entire thing is still in the planning process, our sources say that Microsoft has already been working with their assembly partners in Asia on this plan in an effort to finalize it, but only if it makes the best economic sense.

We expect to hear more about this over the next couple of weeks, and as with anything plans could change, but we expect that Microsoft will be watching sales of the Resident Evil 5 Red Elite console bundle closely to confirm if their sales numbers tell them that they should move in this direction. We will let you know more once we hear more.

 

[Yreka]

It will be replaced with the model "1337".

 

[mmntech]

Originally posted by: Yreka
It will be replaced with the model "1337".

lol. How about the 360 1337 Fata1ty Edition. :laugh:

It makes sense though to dump it given the Elite has been superfluous since HDMI was added to all models and the Premium was upgraded to 60gb. Given it's the same price as the 80gb PS3, it's not really the best value anymore either. I still think Microsoft should have added an HD-DVD drive to it. Probably would have saved the format.

 

[erwos]

I definitely agree that the Elite (and I own one) is a little bit out of place with the recent 60gb upgrade to the standard model. Bumping it to 250gb would be a start, although there's nothing that would currently use such space that I know of.

The problem with adding a HD-DVD/BR-D drive to it is that the 360 can't use HDMI-CEC or output 5.1 or 7.1 PCM, or bitstream any of the high-resolution audio formats. It just isn't a good platform for being a dedicated stand-alone player. I would very much like to see an Xbox 720 with an HD-DVD/BR-D drive (or attachment), as well as some sort of (USB-connected?) DVR solution, assuming it will properly support such audio.

But, for now, I think Microsoft has the right strategy if the article is correct - use the Elite for "big deal bundles".

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: erwos
I definitely agree that the Elite (and I own one) is a little bit out of place with the recent 60gb upgrade to the standard model. Bumping it to 250gb would be a start, although there's nothing that would currently use such space that I know of.

Using Microsoft's pricing, an Xbox with 250GB drive would have to cost at least $600.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: erwos
I definitely agree that the Elite (and I own one) is a little bit out of place with the recent 60gb upgrade to the standard model. Bumping it to 250gb would be a start, although there's nothing that would currently use such space that I know of.

Using Microsoft's pricing, an Xbox with 250GB drive would have to cost at least $600.

Microsoft gave all those standard users a bump to 60gb from 20gb for free... so that joke is kinda dumb now.

 

[Drako]

I wonder if this means that the 360 HDMI cable will now come with the Pro?

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: erwos
I definitely agree that the Elite (and I own one) is a little bit out of place with the recent 60gb upgrade to the standard model. Bumping it to 250gb would be a start, although there's nothing that would currently use such space that I know of.

Using Microsoft's pricing, an Xbox with 250GB drive would have to cost at least $600.

Microsoft gave all those standard users a bump to 60gb from 20gb for free... so that joke is kinda dumb now.

I just paid $150 for the 120GB drive a couple months ago. If they were to release a retail 250GB drive I can guaran-damn-tee you that it would cost minimally $200.

Edit: And the bump wasn't out of generosity. 20GB drives are probably more expensive to manufacture now than 60GB are. The new 60GB kit costs $99. They would definitely try to sell 250GB for at least twice the amount of the 60GB kit, possibly up to three times.

 

[Yreka]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Edit: And the bump wasn't out of generosity. 20GB drives are probably more expensive to manufacture now than 60GB are.

You're probibly right,

I work for a medical device manufacturer.. We just saved $40 per instrument on one of our products by upgrading its computer from 2 256MB DIMMS to 1 2GB stick.

 

[sygyzy]

All I want is a HD upgrade option that doesn't cost so much

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Edit: And the bump wasn't out of generosity. 20GB drives are probably more expensive to manufacture now than 60GB are.

You're probibly right,

I work for a medical device manufacturer.. We just saved $40 per instrument on one of our products by upgrading its computer from 2 256MB DIMMS to 1 2GB stick.

The 8GB HDD is actually what helped kill the original Xbox. MS was losing money on the Xbox in part because they couldn't bring the cost of the HDD down.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Edit: And the bump wasn't out of generosity. 20GB drives are probably more expensive to manufacture now than 60GB are.

You're probibly right,

I work for a medical device manufacturer.. We just saved $40 per instrument on one of our products by upgrading its computer from 2 256MB DIMMS to 1 2GB stick.

The 8GB HDD is actually what helped kill the original Xbox. MS was losing money on the Xbox in part because they couldn't bring the cost of the HDD down.

I heard that some later versions of the original Xbox shipped with 20 GB hard drives for this reason. EDIT: Maybe it was 10 GB. I don't remember.

Either way I really wish MS would let you just upgrade the HD yourself like with the PS3. That's the biggest strike against the Xbox for me.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Edit: And the bump wasn't out of generosity. 20GB drives are probably more expensive to manufacture now than 60GB are.

You're probibly right,

I work for a medical device manufacturer.. We just saved $40 per instrument on one of our products by upgrading its computer from 2 256MB DIMMS to 1 2GB stick.

The 8GB HDD is actually what helped kill the original Xbox. MS was losing money on the Xbox in part because they couldn't bring the cost of the HDD down.

You mean it was basically a case of the hardware being so outdated that it actually became 'vintage'?

 

[tatteredpotato]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Yreka

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Edit: And the bump wasn't out of generosity. 20GB drives are probably more expensive to manufacture now than 60GB are.

You're probibly right,

I work for a medical device manufacturer.. We just saved $40 per instrument on one of our products by upgrading its computer from 2 256MB DIMMS to 1 2GB stick.

The 8GB HDD is actually what helped kill the original Xbox. MS was losing money on the Xbox in part because they couldn't bring the cost of the HDD down.

You mean it was basically a case of the hardware being so outdated that it actually became 'vintage'?

I heard they started throwing 20 gigers in but the only partition was an 8 gig one. Then again that could be an urban legend.

 

[foghorn67]

So my Elite will turn into a collector's edition?