Be Excellent To Each Other

Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox 360 Elite will drop in price to GBP 199.99 in the UK and EUR 249.99 in Europe from tomorrow, August 28.

In addition, the 60GB Premium unit is to be phased out, and the price of the Arcade SKU has actually risen to GBP 159.99 / EUR 199, up from GBP 129.99, although Microsoft has not detailed any reason or possible added value for the hike.

"With the Christmas season right around the corner, it’s already time to start looking for entertainment and gifts that everyone will enjoy," said Chris Lewis, vice president Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft Europe.

"We have a goal over the next 18 months to reinvent entertainment in the living room and we want to ensure that we have the right foundations in place for our consumers to make simple informed choices around their entertainment platform.

"We know that price is a critical influencing factor in consumer choice, but we also know that consumers across Europe are looking for value, benefit and entertainment experiences, so we need to address all these points to continue to grow and be successful in Europe."

Surprising ... well, surprising exactly no one, Microsoft has announced a $100 price cut on its Xbox 360 Elite model, bringing the 120GB console down to price (if not feature) parity with Sony's recently revealed PS3 Slim. While the Elite will take the place of the 60GB Pro at $300 beginning this Friday (that's tomorrow!), the Pro will enjoy a temporary $50 price drop. We say "temporary" because, once those are sold out, that's it. The hard drive-less Xbox 360 Arcade unit remains at $200.

While this $300 Xbox 360 Elite may have a fancy new package (see above) it's the same ol' Elite inside the box. But the rest of the bundle isn't quite the same: taking a page out of Sony's PS3 handbook, this cheaper package ditches HD cables entirely (accessory sales ahoy!) in favor of bundling a standard AV connector. Want HDMI? Get thee to Monoprice.

Most disappointing is that Microsoft continues to leave WiFi out of the Xbox, a console that – more than any other – excels in the online department. Microsoft's Aaron Greenberg told Joystiq, "We have not announced any change to our accessory pricing as part of this announcement." In other words, the WiFi adapter is not only missing from the console but, at $100, it's still insultingly expensive. Despite our misgivings about some of Microsoft's cost control measures, a $100 price drop on the 120GB Elite is nevertheless a welcome change ...

... even if it's just (barely) keeping pace with Sony's WiFi-packing, Blu-ray having PS3 Slim. Look for more from our chat with Greenberg later today.

edit edit: You've added another source! Sonofa!

Damn, why are they increasing the price of the arcade? (i know we dont have an answer for that)

It's about time. Honestly, the 360 is such a frail little bitch. I used to have one, and despite the fact I take obsessive care of my electronics it redringed on me within a month. However, I've had an original XBOX since the week it came out in 2002, and it still performs perfectly after seven years of unfaltering service. That's what I call a games console.

KovacsC hasno excuse now not to get one. Someone find a "cheap telly thread".

Weak pound.

Given I'm one of the most non-electrical and computer-y sympathetic here, I've had no problems with my XBox at all, and it's vertical, with one side against the edge of the shelf, and the other side has the game boxes piled enxt to it. So I think one can stick those rumours to bed.

Given I'm one of the most non-electrical and computer-y sympathetic here, I've had no problems with my XBox at all, and it's vertical, with one side against the edge of the shelf, and the other side has the game boxes piled enxt to it. So I think one can stick those rumours to bed.

A while ago. Which has since recovered.

And they didn't drop the price when it became the ludicrously strong pound, anyway.

=/=

Anecdotes aren't data. Data is data. Note that Microsoft didn't refute the claims of 54% failure rate in their response.

OH MY.

is that the same as <> or !=

Oh Noes!!!!

is that the same as <> or !=

They'll work entirely in dollars, and the $/£ rate is far from the bottom it was at nine months ago.

I was about to post something similar... fake it, we had a disagreement last week about the correct way to right does not equal....run while you still can!

I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

So why are they raising prices then? Has anyone else, ever, raised the price of their console hardware?

Did you have another disagreement about the write way to right wright?

I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

I was about to post something similar... fake it, we had a disagreement last week about the correct way to right does not equal....run while you still can!

"The Xbox price cut would never persuade me to get one," said Anthony Charles from east London.

"The reason I'm a PS3 man all the way is because you get all the brilliant games - and then the little extras."

I don't think there's much of a disparity between the systems for games anymore - it's not like it was in 2007. However, most games have come out for both systems, so as a so-called 'casual gamer' it wouldn't make much difference.

If I was buying my first console of this generation right now, and Bezzies were taken out of the equation, I'd have to have a real think about it. Blu-Ray and a more reliable console for a very similar price now? It would be tempting.

Aren't the newer 360s reliable now though? Or are they still lagging behind the PS3 in that respect?

I suppose I'm talking about perception rather than actual reliability issues. The 360 will never shake that off.

The one good thing in their favour though is the 3 year extended warranty. At least we've known that should it happen, we can always get it fixed with the minimum of disruption and zero cost. If they'd washed their hands of it then I wouldn't have a 360 right now - it'd be in the bin.

Damn, why are they increasing the price of the arcade? (i know we dont have an answer for that)

I wouldn't be surprised if the Arcade versions started coming with HDDs, after all so many of Microsoft's money making schemes for the Xbox don't really work without one.

If they were planning on doing that, it'd have made sense to discontinue the Arcade and give a price-cut to the Pro, rather than increasing the price on the Arcade. Better PR.

Yeah, that would have made more sense. It does seem odd to keep selling a version without an HDD though, I just don't get who buys them.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Arcade versions started coming with HDDs, after all so many of Microsoft's money making schemes for the Xbox don't really work without one.

They've got 512MB flash soldered onto the motherboard which acts like a Memory Unit.

Or they want people to buy the arcade then realise a few weeks/months down the line how much better it would be with a HDD and so then go out and buy one, therefore seperating the purchases in their head and making it seem worthwhile despite costing more.

I think it's exactly this. They get a wallet-friendly entry to the platform (considerably cheaper than the Wii, even after the price rise) and it's pitched at people who don't know they want a hard drive. Then later they discover they want a hard drive and the best course of action open tot them is to shell out for the very high-margin aftermarket add-on.

Dicks.