E3 2010: Xbox 360 slim console ships today, no new price

Microsoft Corp. unveiled a new slim Xbox 360 console at the E3 press conference which also saw the launch date for Kinect and other goodies revealed. The new Xbox 360 console comes with a 250GB hard disk drive and built in wireless capabilities, including 802.11n support, the "fastest WiFi in any console."

The new Xbox 360 console does not come with a new price tag (remains at $299), and for the lucky audience who watched the event, Microsoft generously gave away one free to each. The console ships today and will be available later this week in stores.

You do not need the new Xbox 360 console to use "Kinect for Xbox 360" as has been speculated, and the add-on will launch in every country that the Xbox 360 console is currently sold in.

Among other announcements made alongside the launch of the new slimmer Xbox 360, it was also revealed that all add-ons and map packs for Call Of Duty will become available first on Xbox 360 up until 2012. An exclusive deal between Microsoft and ESPN to bring 3,500 live sports events (mostly in HD) to Xbox Live was also announced, including NBA, MLB and soccer content.

Viewers will be able to access ESPN.com content for highlights, stats, game scores and other content while viewing the sports events. The ESPN content will be available at no extra charge for Xbox Live Gold members.

The new Xbox 360 console uses a lot less power, according to Microsoft, and attendees at E3 who have used the console note that it is very quiet operating, compared to the normal Xbox 360 console which can be quite loud in operation. It features 3 USB ports on the back and two hidden under the flap at the front. The console also uses a new smaller power supply unit, so say goodbye to the old brick units if you are going to upgrade.

The Kinect motion sensing system can be connected and powered by the slim 360, but users of the older 360 will need to plug Kinect into a separate power outlet.

Some pictures below that you can click to resize.

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(Article likely to be updated)

Written by: James Delahunty @ 14 Jun 2010 15:37

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40 comments

kikzm33z

360 Slim looks horrible.
Stupid DLC monthly exclusivity that no one really cares about considering how bad the COD series has grown to.
Kinect is almost as big as the 360 Slim.

Can't wait for Sony's conference.

Microsoft done a decent job last year with Milo and Kinect and some gameplay of MW2, but this year it's just on par with 2009 Nintendo (which I can tell you was plain horrible)

Sony will most likely do the best again this year.

Yeah, a little bit of fanboyism here, but MS done bad.
BTW, got to give it to Microsoft for having a 250GB HDD and built in wireless. Something that I've bitched about since the beginning, and the price on Play.com is only �200, but same price as PS3 when Live is bought.

I just wished they took notes from Sony to make a Slim model that looks half-decent.

14.6.2010 15:50 #1

b18bek9

kikzm33z i know your a huge sony fan boy but honestly u cant tell me the slim ps3 looks good i actually like my non slim version well the looks of it better but thats jsut my two cents. And i'll admit i didnt see much from M$ this time which blows. But i can see why the DLC is more exclusive to xbox live figuring the online experience is better lets see what sony has i might have to start playing more ps3 games if they bring something good to the table this year.

14.6.2010 16:08 #2

Gashion

is it possible to flash this new xbox 360 slim?

14.6.2010 16:11 #3

Ketola

Originally posted by Gashion: is it possible to flash this new xbox 360 slim? I think that's highly unlikely. But there's no such thing as an unbreakable console, so only time will tell. =)

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14.6.2010 16:27 #4

Pop_Smith

Originally posted by Gashion: is it possible to flash this new xbox 360 slim? Initially I doubt it will be possible. This is an entirely new XBox360 so the hackers probably need to rewrite the flash code for the new DVD drive.

Depending on the price I may pick one up in the future but it all depends on the initial price point and how fast it comes down.

Also, it's nice to see Microsoft finally give the XBox a built-in wireless card instead of having to pay $70 for a wireless G card or $90 (!) for a Wireless N card.

Has Microsoft relieved the dimensions of the 360 slim yet?

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14.6.2010 16:36 #5

TopperGreen (unverified)

Can Kinect only work with the new Xbox 360 "slim" unit? Or Can it work with all of them? And what is the Kinect port used for on the back of the Xbox 360 slim?

14.6.2010 16:44 #6

kikzm33z

Originally posted by b18bek9: kikzm33z i know your a huge sony fan boy but honestly u cant tell me the slim ps3 looks good i actually like my non slim version well the looks of it better but thats jsut my two cents. And i'll admit i didnt see much from M$ this time which blows. But i can see why the DLC is more exclusive to xbox live figuring the online experience is better lets see what sony has i might have to start playing more ps3 games if they bring something good to the table this year. The original PS3 looks better than the Slim, I never denied the fact and I've been saying that since the 1st picture of the Slim.

You can't deny that the Slim looks good in person.
You can't call me a HUGE Sony fanboy. I'd be basically swearing at Microsoft without justification if I was huge Sony fanboy.
But yeah, 360 Slim looks horrible.

14.6.2010 17:00 #7

Hyasuma

It looks the same, just a new design, it's ugly i must say.

14.6.2010 17:16 #8

teddydakilabear (unverified)

i like how the new xbox looks nice gloss black the shape actually reminds me of some of the alienware desktop towers which i always liked only thing im worried about is does a no noise fan mean weaker? are we going back to more red rings O_o

14.6.2010 17:20 #9

SDF_GR

As long as 360 is cheaper than PS3, there is no reason for MS to make a move.

For my taste, is still looks damn ugly, but its much much prettier than the old.

14.6.2010 17:21 #10

Ketola

Originally posted by kikzm33z: But yeah, 360 Slim looks horrible. To me it looks rather nice. Check out some more live snapshots at Joystiq. Got to see it in person, though, to make the call. I sure wouldn't mind replacing my 1st batch 360 vacuum cleaner (must be well over 100dB when running) with a more quiet version. Mind you, fat PS3 ain't that quiet either in my cabinet. =)

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14.6.2010 17:23 #11

ZeusAV

This new 360 still retails for $299. Same price as the PS3. If Sony drops the 120GB PS3 to $200 like the rumors say, then Microsoft is still in trouble.

14.6.2010 17:30 #12

dakii

will the drive on this be able to be flashed/modded?

14.6.2010 18:03 #13

bobiroc

Maybe it's me but it doesn't look much slimmer to me.

built in wireless is nice though even though I already ran a cable in my house and have mine hardwired. I figured my TV Receiver does not have wireless and I need that so I do not get the no phone line charge and I bought the wired adapter for my Wii so that along with a mini-switch is pretty nice.

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14.6.2010 18:46 #14

Mysttic

Quote:360 Slim looks horrible.
Stupid DLC monthly exclusivity that no one really cares about considering how bad the COD series has grown to.
Kinect is almost as big as the 360 Slim. Well said. The 360 isn't much slimmer, there are comparison photo's already leaked onto the net; its maybe an inch and half smaller around. Tho I still interested in Kinect; I disappointed that MS earlier announced it was compatible with Windows 7, but didn't show that off at E3.

14.6.2010 18:53 #15

Oner

Just to clarify it is NOT called the Xbox 360 Slim. Just the same Xbox 360.

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14.6.2010 20:15 #16

haza12d

Well, there goes $300+ of my money... NICE! I hope this hits stores this week, I can't wait.

14.6.2010 20:51 #17

Dela

Originally posted by Oner: Just to clarify it is NOT called the Xbox 360 Slim. Just the same Xbox 360. Yep, I tried to get that across by keeping the slim lowercase in title.

14.6.2010 21:08 #18

TimAlvine

THEY ALSO REVEALED THE NEW XBOX KINECT!!!!! SEE IT HERE!! AVAILABLE NOV 4th for 149.99!!! http://www.lionsdenu.com/microsoft-relea...60-with-kinect/ Theres picture of it, video of game-play, prices etc.

Ahoy Mates.

14.6.2010 22:05 #19

xnonsuchx

Originally posted by Oner: Just to clarify it is NOT called the Xbox 360 Slim. Just the same Xbox 360. Yeah, same w/ the PS3 slim model, but people are gonna call them that to differentiate. I believe the "slimline" PS2 was also never officially called it.

15.6.2010 00:07 #20

NHS2008

Gawd, that is one ugly console! Looks like a shiny tin box which someone stepped over. I like the Slim PS3's looks. It's not as good as Original PS3 but it's not ugly at all..very slick. and this Xbox looks like some stupid set-top box.

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15.6.2010 03:40 #21

JOHNSTARR

Get ready for "The Ban hammer" this week. Gotta pump up sales on those shinny new slims!

No time for Leap frog!!!

15.6.2010 07:22 #22

dEwMe

So...other than the included hard drive and built in wireless....it's still the same console in a new case? Think they would have given me some incentive to buy it...

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

15.6.2010 08:17 #23

Ben79

Originally posted by dEwMe: So...other than the included hard drive and built in wireless....it's still the same console in a new case? Think they would have given me some incentive to buy it...
Same console, with all the original goodies and more! IN A SMALLER PACKAGE! BUY NOW AND YOU TOO CAN ENJOY RROD MADNESS!

15.6.2010 11:15 #24

kikzm33z

Well, I like the glossy finish.

But IMO, this new 360 model looks like the old one but with more hard edges and removed the roundness.
Don't like it.

15.6.2010 11:39 #25

RoninHyde

The idiots should have added a blu-ray drive, that would have been awsome and warrant an upgrade.

15.6.2010 12:46 #26

shaffaaf

the jump form ps2 to ps2 slim was insane, i wonder if we will ever get that kind of drop again?

but good thing is, we will be able to buy cheap second hand xbox 360 phats now.

15.6.2010 13:19 #27

bobiroc

Well looking at it side by side with an original XBOX 360 at the E3 live blog today I can see not that it is smaller and I have heard rumors that it is not the same hardware inside at least identically. Updated Video Chip that runs cooler and more efficient I think so don't be too quick to shout RROD. I have had my XBOX 360 for two years and no problems and the few that I saw with the RROD were not exactly taken care of well. Played with piles of clothes on top or locked inside a cabinet that did not breathe so well and what not. I think by generation 3 and 4 those problems were not nearly as much as gen 2 and especially gen 1.

Kinect so far has not impressed me and when I see this video here http://www.mcvuk.com/news/39470/E3-2010-Star-Wars-Kinect-video I am not sold on it. Looks like a scripted demostration since the video game character obviously moves seconds before the demostrator does.

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15.6.2010 15:57 #28

kikzm33z

No point in MS adding a Blu-Ray drive.

It will severely overprice the system and games won't support it. The Blu-Ray and DVD drive in one console won't be a selling point because

1) It'll be overpriced as it MUST have DVD and a Blu-Ray drive will increase the price by a lot.
2) If one were to buy the console for viewing movies, they'd purchase a PS3 or a Blu-Ray player.
3) It won't support games as the 40million+ 360 original owners will be furious.
4) If MS supported their games with Blu-Ray, they'd have to support DVD format as well, which I think we can all agree would make MS lose MILLIONS.

Adding a Blu-Ray extension for the original 360 in 2006 would've been a good idea, if they add it now, they'd lose millions.

It's not even a HD console... They should've dumped in the HD-DVD drive so they can at least say that the 360 can play discs in HD - true format.

15.6.2010 17:09 #29

blueboy09

Originally posted by Ketola: Originally posted by kikzm33z: But yeah, 360 Slim looks horrible. To me it looks rather nice. Check out some more live snapshots at Joystiq. Got to see it in person, though, to make the call. I sure wouldn't mind replacing my 1st batch 360 vacuum cleaner (must be well over 100dB when running) with a more quiet version. Mind you, fat PS3 ain't that quiet either in my cabinet. =)
Agreed. Because of the added "big" fan (heat output) and ventilations on both sides (to allow more air intake) this is actually decent. The question I'm asking is why in the hell didn't they do this in the first place? And no, marketing strategy is NOT the answer to the question. They are a little smarter to do this but it should've been done when it first came out. Not preaching here, but when are the big guys going to get the message that rushing things is not the answer? Guess there not that smart after all, methinks.

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15.6.2010 20:03 #30

Big Ol John (unverified)

U guys know if this new xbox comes with HD av cables or is it just standard. Will they only provide standard definition cables?

16.6.2010 02:11 #31

dEwMe

Originally posted by shaffaaf:
but good thing is, we will be able to buy cheap second hand xbox 360 phats now.

Yeah I see Walmart has the Arcade with 2 games AND a $50 gift card for $149...

Just my $0.02,

dEwMe

16.6.2010 11:07 #32

nintenut

Originally posted by kikzm33z: Microsoft done a decent job last year with Milo and Kinect and some gameplay of MW2, but this year it's just on par with Nintendo (which I can tell you was plain horrible)
Horrible? Really?
To me, this year's E3 was when Nintendo finally got their sh*t back together.
A new console, coming with a proper Star Fox (Even if it's just a remake, the series has been in desperate need of getting back on track, and I couldn't think of a better way to do it than improving on it's best title to date), new Donkey Kong Country, new Zelda, new Paper Mario, Pilotwings (!), Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Kirby, Goldeneye (Another shocker) and, at long last, Kid Icarus.
I can say with great conviction that they blew my frigging tits off, best E3 for them in years.

... That is, unless you're comparing Microsoft's showing this year to the prior two or three for Nintendo, in which case I agree.

Sony's showing this year wasn't bad, though. Killzone 3, inFAMOUS 2, Twisted Metal (Finally!), Sly Cooper Collection (Even if it is just a remake), Gran Turismo.
The Move continues to disappoint me, though. I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do with it, don't get me wrong, it certainly looks better than the Kinect (Which has a new, horrible name for some reason), but, really, $100? It seems too big of an investment to make in something who's potential may not be realized at all.
Remember the first Eyetoy? I imagine the Kinect and Move will end up in a similar boat...

16.6.2010 20:30 #33

Remo167

I have two xbox's and move the HD between the different rooms depending where I'm playing. How would this work if I were to transfer all my achievements to the new console and still wanted to play between the two rooms? Is the new bigger HD compatible with the older units?

17.6.2010 12:24 #34

Oner

Originally posted by Dela: Originally posted by Oner: Just to clarify it is NOT called the Xbox 360 Slim. Just the same Xbox 360. Yep, I tried to get that across by keeping the slim lowercase in title. That might actually change though since I have read it may be called the "S" now, like the "Controller Type S"...if that denotes Slim, Small(er) or Sleek we will have to see.

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17.6.2010 12:56 #35

Jemborg

I can't believe all the lame nit-picking bitching I'm reading here. lol

I personally like the new piano black twisted look. I think finally MS has probably got a lot right this time. For those who want to go down this path it seems like an appealing deal.

Looking at the front, it standing, it's about 5cm shorter a little thinner but a few cm deeper, about 15% smaller overall.

Memory Units are done away with in favour of ordinary flash sticks. Optical output is standard now. So is N wireless, I have that at home and it's definitely better than G. HDMI. The internal 250gig hd is meant to be removable, though I don't know if that means you can just whack in any old hdd now [it's easy to flash one compatible anyway], you can still save the whole game to it...and it will obviously just get cheaper after the initial release.

M$ don't perceive a need for bluray. Their solution is for users to steam/download 1080p movies, so that may be cool for those that just want to rent them temporally anyway. Unlike a local video store there's no reason for an internet store to sell off that last rare not-to-be-reprinted copy you wanted to rent, as they do.

Only a fool would believe that M$ has not addressed the RROD issue, which I personally have never suffered. It uses less power. The new unit is meant to run quieter, what that says about fans, airflow and venting remains to be seen but it's a positive sign.

And another note, after reviewing material and demos on it Kinect seems surprisingly responsive to me. After being sceptical about it at first I admit to a grudging admiration, if it lives up to it's claims it really is impressive. Controllers are done away with altogether in favour of your whole body. I was astonished that it responded to the movement of a right foot in a driving game. No more waggle sticks! Remember, it's early days yet and time will tell but it will also get cheaper (and smaller... it ain't that big anyway). And it incorporates voice recognition.

Those who stated that MS would not stick with the X360 should now eat their words.

Look, I like the PS3 too, I'm just trying to be realistic here. If I had any allegiances it would say I'm more of an enthusiastic Xpadder on PC fan than anything.

Its a lot easier being righteous than right.

17.6.2010 14:55 #36

snoop5023

I like the new Xbox 360, what I don't like is the fact that I just bought the bundle with splinter cell conviction and the supposedly newer system with the Jasper configuration in april and now MS does this. Never fails, LOL

17.6.2010 16:07 #37

elflaco91

ok the question most important of all? do microsoft fix the RROD with this new xbox? thats all i wanna know

22.6.2010 03:24 #38

Mr-Movies

Originally posted by kikzm33z: No point in MS adding a Blu-Ray drive.

It will severely overprice the system and games won't support it. The Blu-Ray and DVD drive in one console won't be a selling point because

1) It'll be overpriced as it MUST have DVD and a Blu-Ray drive will increase the price by a lot.
2) If one were to buy the console for viewing movies, they'd purchase a PS3 or a Blu-Ray player.
3) It won't support games as the 40million+ 360 original owners will be furious.
4) If MS supported their games with Blu-Ray, they'd have to support DVD format as well, which I think we can all agree would make MS lose MILLIONS.

Adding a Blu-Ray extension for the original 360 in 2006 would've been a good idea, if they add it now, they'd lose millions.

It's not even a HD console... They should've dumped in the HD-DVD drive so they can at least say that the 360 can play discs in HD - true format. None of your points hold water, MS should move to BD drives and it wouldn't cost much more to the price nor would there be compatibility issues in fact you could cover all formats that way. It would enhance the console and provide for more features down the road. Plus there are those people that would use the console as a BD player like some do with the PS3.

22.6.2010 23:53 #39

ngthawk72 (unverified)

Originally posted by Mr-Movies: Originally posted by kikzm33z: No point in MS adding a Blu-Ray drive.

It will severely overprice the system and games won't support it. The Blu-Ray and DVD drive in one console won't be a selling point because

1) It'll be overpriced as it MUST have DVD and a Blu-Ray drive will increase the price by a lot.
2) If one were to buy the console for viewing movies, they'd purchase a PS3 or a Blu-Ray player.
3) It won't support games as the 40million+ 360 original owners will be furious.
4) If MS supported their games with Blu-Ray, they'd have to support DVD format as well, which I think we can all agree would make MS lose MILLIONS.

Adding a Blu-Ray extension for the original 360 in 2006 would've been a good idea, if they add it now, they'd lose millions.

It's not even a HD console... They should've dumped in the HD-DVD drive so they can at least say that the 360 can play discs in HD - true format. None of your points hold water, MS should move to BD drives and it wouldn't cost much more to the price nor would there be compatibility issues in fact you could cover all formats that way. It would enhance the console and provide for more features down the road. Plus there are those people that would use the console as a BD player like some do with the PS3. The only problem with Blu-ray is that it's not taking off almost everything is now heading to digital download we are going to have to get use to not having a disc and downloading it to a hard drive. So why spend the money on Blu-ray when you do not have to.

23.6.2010 22:14 #40

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