With all the issues past MS hardware has had, I didn't think I could give a fair review of this product without waiting at least a year to see if any problems popped up. Then again, the latest models for the old design 360s have been much more reliable with the RROD being a non-issue unlike in previous models. This new "slim" model couldn't be any worse and if I do run into problems, there is always an edit button for this review.
Now why should you buy this updated model? Well it comes down to your individual situation and how important having the latest and greatest is to you. I personally had a 2007 20 Gig unit which had already been struck with the RROD once before. My warranty was up in a few months, my HDD was painfully limited on space, I had no HDMI port, and the unit was extremely loud. It was only a matter of time before it had to be replaced anyway, and with Gamestop having a special trade in deal (best trade in offer they have probably ever had) it made sense to upgrade, for me.
The "360 S", as it is described by MS, has immediate benefits over older models:
Looks - The system looks much better in person than it does in a 2D picture, slideshow or even video. You really have to see this thing to appreciate it's beauty. Now this is all subjective, but I think most people will agree that it looks better in person and in your entertainment center than it does in photos. The glossy piano black finish is quite attractive, though it can be a scratch and smudge magnet if you are not careful. Matte black is probably better for consoles but I'm not going to complain since it looks great. The silver/chrome trim is pure eye candy and goes well with the black finish. The curves and angles of the system are subtle and sexy making for an attractive console whether it rests vertically or horizontally. The controller is all black, unlike old elite controllers where the analog sticks were gray, and the guide button is chrome. The headset is also black, and looks very slick compared to the cheap piece of plastic packed in with previous units. MS went all out with the black here, the system is so dark in fact that it practically disappears when the lights are off, this is not a positive or a negative, just an observation.
Size - The official number is that the 360 S is 17% smaller than the preceding models. It looks even smaller than that when you finally get it home. It is easily smaller than both the original PS3 and the PS3 slim, though not as tiny and compact as the Wii. It will fit nice and snug into any entertainment center.
Function - First thing you will notice when unpacking your system for the first time are the vents. MS is not kidding with ventilation to prevent overheatng, there are two intakes, one on the top and one on the bottom, and an exit vent on the right side (when vertical, top when horizontal). Hot air is pushed out with such prejudice that I advise you not have any other devices resting to the right of the console if it is vertical and leave plenty of breathing room up top if placed horizontal. These vents work, the system stays cool and if it were to overheat there is a fail safe where the system shuts itself off and goes into "cooling mode". When in cooling mode, there will be a message on screen which explains what it is doing so you don't have a heart attack thinking you just got some more faulty MS hardware (admit it, we're all a little jumpy when it comes to MS hardware issues). I have not personally witnessed this cool down mode, I have simply read of it's existance and seen evidence. I have put in a number of marathon gaming sessions on my new 360 S and it runs cool to the touch.
Speaking of touch, the push buttons have been replaced by touch buttons. These buttons are quite sensitive, I only had to wave my finger in front of them to get a response. I didn't even touch the system and the disc tray opened, I thought the thing was sentient for a second and knew what I wanted. The power button is pretty sensitive as well and there is this satisfying chime that goes off when you activate these buttons. Now I am not sure if the sensitivity will dull over time, but they do seem a little too sensitive so keep your cats away from your system so you don't have your game ejected on you in the middle of play.
The immediate benefits with this system are the 250 Gig hard drive, built in 2.4 GHz WiFi and a portal for the upcoming Kinect. The hard drive is a huge bonus for me, now I can finally install games, rip music, download and watch videos and dive into XBLA like a fat man at a buffet. I feel so...liberated! WiFi is not a big deal to me as I prefer a hardline connection when online gaming, but it is certainly a welcome option. Some people have complained that the WiFi is not 5 GHz like the previous adapter but in all honesty, the 5GHz range is much more limited than the 2.4 and the whole reason to use WiFi, as I see it, is for the range. The built in WiFi is also claimed to be the fastest yet by MS and various gaming sites such as IGN. Then there is Kinect, which I am undecided on. I really need a price before I can make any decisions and I doubt I will be an early adopter, but if it releases more games like Child of Eden (spiritual successor to the hypnotic music shooter REZ), then I will have no problem picking up a unit for the right price. Maybe Kinect is not a day one purchase, but who wouldn't want to go all Lawnmower Man/Minority Report on their dashboard with hands free navigation and voice recognition? If these features are incorporated into games (without replacing the controller, just supplementing it) that are not shovelware, I will be interested. Not having to buy any kind of adapter for Kinect, an adapter you just know MS is going to overprice, is a welcome bonus.
Noise - The most immediate gratification you will get from the 360 S is it's whisper quiet sound. Whisper quiet is a perfectly accurate description, practically everyone who has this model uses that term as soon as they turn it on. Whisper quiet does not mean completely silent, it means that you can't hear it unless you are listening specifically for it. This means turning everything else off in the room, and this is with a disc in the tray. If the system is idle or if a game is installed, it's even quieter. It is easily quieter than the PS3 Slim and almost on par with Wii levels of silence. The noise of my old Xbox never really got to me because I play with a surround sound gaming headset (Tritton AxPros) but after hearing how quiet this system is, I can certainly understand the appeal of silence compared to what once sounded like an airplane taking off mixed in with a V-twin at full throttle.
As mentioned, I got a good deal on this new system at Gamestop. Is it worth the full 300? That depends on your situation and what you want. There are some great deals on the previous Elite models right now and if you have no interest in a hard drive (I suggest everyone get one though) then perhaps you may want to pick up an Arcade for half the price. There is also a rumored entry level 360 S to be released this fall for 100 bucks cheaper, not sure if it will have a HDD or not, it most certainly won't have built in WiFi. For anyone who has an older unit which is about to be out of warranty and has a 60 gig HDD or less, I'd say this is worth the upgrade if you truly want it. It is certainly a fine piece of hardware, the best hardware MS has ever released.Get more detail about Xbox 360 250GB Elite Console.
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