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Xbox 360 S Review
Is this new hardware revision worth your cash?
Written by Thomas Worthington, 22 July 2010
The Xbox 360 S marks a whole new chapter in Microsoft's foray into the videogame industry. With Kinect (formerly Project Natal) set to push the Xbox 360 into the deep end of the casual gaming spectrum, a new sleeker looking model is a tall order for a system nearing the end of its shelf life-expectancy.
The new Xbox 360 console also comes with a new name.Thankfully Microsoft has equipped this system to the teeth rectifying a small number of issues present in older models. A far cry from the matt texture and curvaceous contours of the original Xbox 360, the Xbox 360 S (£199.99) is a more robust looking machine sporting a glossy finish that gleams across the entire system. The price of this shiny exterior is the number of finger prints that seem to magnetise themselves to it. It wouldn't have killed Microsoft to include a cloth to allow proper care of the sheen.
The new Xbox 360 also carries a new name.Of course it's not all about the gleam. Microsoft has put the new system on a modest diet giving it a slightly pinched look in the middle and taken an inch off the top removing the obtrusive top hard drive in favour of discrete 250 GB hard drive located under the base.
That thick black glossy coat makes some of the systems face buttons appear hidden. Both the power and eject buttons are touch sensitive making delightful bleeps when activated.
The entire system is actually comparable to an Alienware PC and this has a lot to do with the generous allowance of ventilation. This does address two serious problems with previous Xbox 360s: overheating (albeit a small minority) and noise made by the system.
360Zine Issue 45
For our latest Xbox 360 S coverage, click here to download 360Zine Issue 45 for free.Promising 'whisper quiet' noise it's a claim that isn't entirely met. It is a lot easier on the ears than older models and you'll only really notice a peak in sound when loading a game via the disc drive.
Another problem remedied with the Xbox 360 S is the lack of wireless internet access. Catching up with every other system on the market, the Xbox 360 S uses the same wireless tech that Microsoft released with the Wireless 'N' Network Adaptor (RRP £59.99) - no doubt tempting to any gamers holding off purchasing one of those pricey Wi-Fi dongles.
Microsoft is pushing the Xbox 360 S as a 'Kinect Ready' system and whilst that is true it's also quite misleading. After all every Xbox 360 is technically ready to make use of the motion device which goes on sale later this year. What makes the Xbox 360 S unique is the system has a port on the back which is designed for Kinect (RRP £129.99) allowing the new peripheral to run without the need for an external power supply.
New Xbox 360 purchasers won't have any problems assimilating the Xbox 360 S into their living rooms but for those looking to upgrade there are a couple of hidden problems to overcome if you want to transfer all your content across to your new system especially now as old Xbox 360 hard drives aren't compatible with the Xbox 360 S.
Microsoft recommend picking up a transfer kit (RRP £14.99) which allows simple data transfer whereas the cheaper option is to pop your content onto USB storage and then visit Xbox Support to see about porting over your console license.
So should you upgrade? Ask yourself: Is hard drive space an issue? Have you already forked out an extortionate amount of cash on a Wi-Fi dongle? Does the noise of your 360 cause you that much irritation? If you're answering yes to most of the above then it might be worth forking out the cash for a new system and the £199.99 price tag is exactly pushing the limit when you take into account the price of upgrading your current system with a new hard drive and high signal strength dongle.
The multiple Xbox 360 SKU's floating around store shelves can be confusing. From Arcade to Pro, Elite to Super Elite. I would recommend any new Xbox 360 buyer should go straight for an Xbox 360 S. Looks aside, the tech inside make this essential for anyone looking to get the most out of their system with ample hard drive space and easy connectivity. It's a sweet package that's tempting even if you're an existing customer.
Xbox 360 S coverage available in 360Zine Issue 45 - click here to download it for free!
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I bought an Xbox 360 Elite early this year. Had I NOT got the previous model by waiting it out, this revised smaller version is what I would have bought. The Xbox 360 S is a tempting piece of hardware to an existing customer like me, but I'll not be replacing my Elite or adding this one to my family of consoles anytime...I'm a single-player only gamer and I use my consoles strictly for GAMING. Between the previous model and this new build, it don't matter to me because it's still the same DNA running through the hardware playing the games I want - AND I DON'T MIND THE NOISE.
Down the road, I'll definitely buy the Xbox 360 S currently, the Elite is serving me proper...it'll do.
UncleBlue
23 July 2010 @ 11:33AM GMT