Black Xbox 360 confirmed

360 News | HDMI, 120GB, and really, really black.

Engadget has confirmed with "trusted sources" that the black Xbox 360 is definitely coming. This matches reports by Game Informer, who insist it isn't an April Fool's joke.

Named the "Xbox 360 Elite", it will be a limited edition version of the 360, with a limited production run of unspecified numbers (potentially as low as a few hundred thousand). It will include a HDMI output, a 120GB hard drive, and will apparently run cooler than the current 360s (although it has not been confirmed that it will use a 65nm fabrication process). There are no current plans to integrate HD-DVD or WiFi into the Elite or future Premiums, but it is expected that the Elite will eventually replace the current Premium lineup, most likely to maintain pricing at current levels by bundling in additional features.

RRP will be US$479, which works out on a simple exchange rate calculation to approximately AU$600 / £245 / €360. The usual $100 markup for shipping, GST, and local warranty / marketing support takes the local price to a likely AU$700 - AU$750. Launch date has not been specified, but it's expected that the 120GB / HDMI bundle will replace the current Premium featureset sometime in Q3 / Q4, suggesting that the Xbox 360 Elite is likely to launch within the next few months. If the small production run estimates are correct, it is highly likely that very few will be available in Australia, if any.

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Xbox 360 Elite release date and price announced
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55 Comments

Jim Dash

2 years ago

I'm confused. It will be made in limited numbers, but replace the Premium, eventually?

So, eventually, they will jack up the manufacturing numbers?

Jellyfish

2 years ago

If you were waiting for this one, wait till comes back in white... The black one they've been showing is hideous.

Quote

I'm confused. It will be made in limited numbers, but replace the Premium, eventually?

So, eventually, they will jack up the manufacturing numbers?

Limited numbers as a black version.

Evan

2 years ago

Jim Dash wrote

I'm confused. It will be made in limited numbers, but replace the Premium, eventually?

So, eventually, they will jack up the manufacturing numbers?

My understanding is that the black version will be a limited edition with limited numbers and a price point of US$479. By around Q3 / Q4, that same model will replace the Premium, but be white and (possibly) at normal Premium prices. At that point (or probably earlier) the Elite will no longer be offered.

That way, rather than drop the price and discount, they'll hold the price point and add features instead.

Jim Dash

2 years ago

Oh, ok, I get it. Who here plans to get the 'Elite' version, then? I know I don't.

The other thing I was wondering, is if you do buy the Elite, or upgrade your 360 HD, how can you transfer your game saves over? Its been bugging me for a while considering I'd probably upgrade to the 120GB asap.

Crestfallen

2 years ago

Well I guess that means I'll be getting the HDMI 360.

If I alreadly had a 360, I would feel a little shunned. How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

Itachi

2 years ago

crestfallen wrote

Well I guess that means I'll be getting the HDMI 360.

If I alreadly had a 360, I would feel a little shunned. How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

I might follow suit Crest when this is released i might get one to. I want a 360 with hdmi support and 120 gig

nice. that will go nicely with my ps3

got both areas covered for HD Gaming

ADiscoMassacre

2 years ago

Ummm...HDMI is overrated. The picture quality isn't that much improved and true 5.1 surround sound audio nuts would have optical out anyways.

So HDMI is not really a suitable option for lots of people anyway, yeah a bigger harddrive is kinda cool, but for me, i stream all my audio from my PC anyways, so i don't need ripped cd's, and i delete game demos after i play them a few times. So 20Gig is still huge for me.

renegadesx

2 years ago

They seem to be doing this to maintain its price point? Price is the reason I dont have a HD gaming system, ah well, theres always xmas 2008

Capoeira

2 years ago

crestfallen wrote

If I alreadly had a 360, I would feel a little shunned. How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

I already made a mention about this in the 'Zephyr revealed' article, but don't feel let down in the least. HDMI vs component comparisons are negligible and as for the expanded disk drive, I've had my 360 for months now and I've barely filled 20%. And a black 360 wouldn't suit my current entertainment setup anyway.

But for those of you that have been on the fence about getting a 360, I can only assume that this news has been a push in the right direction. If you don't mind the price tag that is.

TheAnswer

2 years ago

I feel used and abused by this news

It happens all the time, I'll probably sell my 360 again and buy this

?oe?oe

2 years ago

Good news to those who haven't got one yet ie. ME!!!!!

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

Capoeira wrote

crestfallen wrote

If I alreadly had a 360, I would feel a little shunned. How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

I already made a mention about this in the 'Zephyr revealed' article, but don't feel let down in the least. HDMI vs component comparisons are negligible...

Yeah, that's what I've been reading too. I'll happily stick with using VGA for now, which means my HDMI port will be free when I get a PS3. Win/Win.

Jellyfish

2 years ago

crestfallen wrote

If I alreadly had a 360, I would feel a little shunned. How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

Absolutely fine, HDMI is useless if you use surround sound. Plus I stream everything I need off my Vista PC anyway.

Only positive I see is that we now get DVI support via HDMI -> DVI plugs.

Vervain

2 years ago

I'll definately try and get me one of these. Now all I need is a release date so I can have some sort of date that I have to have enough money by.

Juztin

2 years ago

I really want to get this one so I better start saving

ugh the boot

2 years ago

More evidence the original 360 was rushed. Microsoft just keep tacking on new features to basically the same machine....'runs cooler'...that should've been a standard. Hopefully one of the new features is also 'doesn't f@#k up as much'.

I would've also preferred the machine in black. I just prefer black consoles.

Marka

2 years ago

It better not replace the current premuim, Its the right price for me and I plan to get on in about 3-4 months from now. Im not paying more paying $700 plus for any console.

Zarnoss

2 years ago

Yes I also agree that this is a real slap in the face for 360 owners.

Microsoft should at least have some sort of trade up offer for people that want to upgrade even if it is just a limited quick show of good faith trade-up offer for the customers that have the unit.

C'mon Microsoft...

ObsoletE

2 years ago

crestfallen wrote

How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

i think the best response to the (at the time) rumour was something along the lines of "Well, by the time this comes out i'll have had 1 year of next-gen gaming, so i can't really feel bad about that"
(apologies if this was you, i know the quote, but not the writer, and i cbf going through it all to find it again).
and i feel it's true. if you're honestly really annoyed at having bought a (presumably) Premium XBox 360 to find out about this one, then i think the disappointment is more on the platform as a whole, not because you missed out on some hardware update.

ugh the boot wrote

I would've also preferred the machine in black. I just prefer black consoles.

ditto.

i'd love a black Wii.

Karai Pantsu

2 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

crestfallen wrote

How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

I believe that it was Jibbs? But yeah, I agree on that.
What experience in the 'Elite' going to add for, at that inflated price anyway?

realitybites

2 years ago

Nope, doesn't bother me at all.

The real downside though is they could now do true 1080p but since my LCD only goes to 1080i and has no HDMI it won't be an issue.

If I need a bigger hard drive I'll simply buy one later.

I do think the black profile is sexy.

Gamesta

2 years ago

I'm glad I haven't bought a 360 yet.I'd be furious if I had.

But then again I probably wont get a 360 till it's $400 or less.

Crestfallen

2 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

crestfallen wrote

How do our 360 gamers feel about this??

Sounds too wise to be Jibbs, but yeah it was him who said that and I agree with that point of view.
Although, like Ugh said, the whole "runs cooler" feature is a cop out. MS are/were obligated to ensure that for every 360 released.

@realitybites: You don't need HDMI to run 1080p.

Its also worth noting that MS didn't put the HD-DVD add on in, allowing customers to choose whether it is necessary. Hmmmm..

EvilHayama

2 years ago

I'll probably be getting one of these, or at least the one that replaces the premium. Can't you run HDMI and digital audio at the same time? They would go to different things on my setup anyway.

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