XBox 360 reliability

[IHateMyJob2004]

I just had a realization. XBoxes when they came out had problems with:
1) motherboards
2) hard drives
3) power supplies

At Best Buy, they tried selling me an extended warranty. I figured that all those issues must have been resolved by now.

So, are new XBoxes reliable?

Before I open the box, I want know if I can depend on the darned thing.

 

[gorcorps]

They have made several revisions to the console that supposedly make it more stable. PS have been out long enough to know they're alright now. But the new mobos/headsinks haven't really been out long enough to give us a clear picture on how much they've improved.

I've never heard of a problem with hard drives before.

 

[oznerol]

I'd say if you're looking to buy a 360, you should buy it expecting it to fail at one point or another. Paying for an extended warranty isn't necessary, but if you feel the money is worth not having to wait 2-4 weeks to get your console replaced by Microsoft, then I suppose it is a viable option.

You can also purchase the console Costco which requires no warranty and will accept a broken unit as a return with no questions asked.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: ducci
I'd say if you're looking to buy a 360, you should buy it expecting it to fail at one point or another. Paying for an extended warranty isn't necessary, but if you feel the money is worth not having to wait 2-4 weeks to get your console replaced by Microsoft, then I suppose it is a viable option.

You can also purchase the console Costco which requires no warranty and will accept a broken unit as a return with no questions asked.

:thumbsup: to all of this. The current Costco bundle (that I saw at my B&M store on Saturday) has an extra controller, a play & charge kit for $400. Not a bad deal. I personally don't use my play & charge kit, I prefer the charging station that can charge two batteries at a time.

 

[Queasy]

The most common cause of failure with 360s has been the RROD (red ring of death). This is a general hardware failure most often caused by excess heat generated (and not properly dispersed) by the console. The most recent revision of the 360 (Falcon) solved this problem for the most part. Whereas the original version was pushing failure numbers as high as 33%, the Falcon version is said to be at a failure rate of less than 10%. Even if your 360 fails for RROD, you're covered by a three year warranty just for RROD.

The second most common cause of failure has been the DVD drive. I don't know what the number is for that but you would need an extended warranty to cover it past the 1-year warranty if you think it is a cause for concern.

The HDD has not been a failure point.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Awesome info guys. At the rate I am going to play the thing I am not that worried. And it will be sitting out in the open air so it should get good air flow (thus cooling).

I'll just be sure to send the warranty card in

 

[CKDragon]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
I'll just be sure to send the warranty card in

99% sure you can just register it online.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: CKDragon

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
I'll just be sure to send the warranty card in

99% sure you can just register it online.

Probably. I'm opening the box up after dinner!


Oh, does anyone know if it comes with the latest software (operating system related) updates?

 

[SnipeMasterJ13]

I would think you are fine. I still have my launch day 360 and have had no problems with it - other than no HDMI

I play the living hell out of the thing. I even had it standing up vertically on carpet for quite awhile and it still plays like a champ.

 

[erwos]

The newer Xboxes (Falcons) tend to be much more resilient to getting the RRoD. I wouldn't hold off.

 

[sourceninja]

I just bought my 360 elite about 2 weeks ago. How do I know for sure I got a newer one?

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: sourceninja
I just bought my 360 elite about 2 weeks ago. How do I know for sure I got a newer one?

The channel was basically emptied in December and January. If you got one two weeks ago, it's almost certainly a Falcon. Check the build date, too, I suppose.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: sourceninja
I just bought my 360 elite about 2 weeks ago. How do I know for sure I got a newer one?

I have the same question.

My assumption was that since I got it at best Buy, that they go through stock quickly and the unit I bought was probably less than 90 days old (if that). I'm assuming at this point that i have the latest hardware revision.

EDIT: Thanks Erwos. The build date is on the unit somewhere I am assuming?