Apparently, there is an additional redesigned 360 on shelves today... with a dark secret!
[UPDATE] After publishing this story, we were contacted by Microsoft representatives, who told us that the new Xbox 360 is only available in a 250GB configuration and that our story was in error. We have since returned to the Best Buy in hopes of getting a photo of the 120GB unit, but the store's stock has already been depleted, leaving us unable to firmly prove the existence of the alternate model. While we trust the two sets of eyes that saw that unit, Microsoft isn't exactly in the business of lying about its hardware SKUs, either. Giant Bomb regrets the confusion.
Planing on buying a newer, sleeker Xbox 360 today? A word of warning! There is more than one new 360 unit on store shelves today.
The fact sheet makes no mention of a 120 gig 360, but don't be fooled: We saw one! This morning, Tested.com's Will Smith and I took a trip down to the local Best Buy to purchase Microsoft's redesigned 360. As we waited at the register to purchase our hardware, Will and I noticed something strange; the 360 Will was purchasing had rang up for $279.99 after tax, a full $20 dollars cheaper than the $300 price point announced at the Microsoft conference. A quick look at the contents of the box revealed the reason for the price discretion: this new 360 had a 120 gig hard drive inside, instead of the 250 gig unit announced at the Microsoft Press Conference. That's right; you can cut the storage space of the new 360 in half, and get the unit for a few bucks cheaper and a whole lot less storage space.
There appears to be no other differences between the two units apart from the size of the hard drives; you'll still be getting the built-in wifi and the Kinect port on the back of the unit. The only difference in the two 360s is the size of the hard drive.
Did Microsoft slyly slip a slightly cheaper 360 with way less storage onto shelves without telling anyone? Because we here at Giant Bomb still cannot find any announcement that there was a new 360 with a 120 gig hard drive. No such hardware was announced at the Microsoft Press Conference. Most bizarre of all, we checked the listings of several game retails to see if they had listings of the redesigned 360 with the smaller hard drive; neither Best Buy (where we saw and purchased the consoles), Amazon, nor Gamestop have listings for an 120 gig new 360 in their systems. How weird is it that Microsoft built this less-expensive version of the hardware and not tell anyone?
I managed to grab myself the proper 250 gig 360, but just be aware if you're going to a retailer today to pick up a new 360 with a 250 gig hard drive, make sure you check the box! Check how big the hard drive is! You may not be buying the same 360 that was announced on the Microsoft stage earlier this week.
We'll have more on this exciting story as it develops, but, in the meantime, what do you guys think? Are you surprised these new 360s exist? Do you think it's a good deal to trade half the hard drive space for a 20 dollar saving on the console?
Seems to me Microsoft are just trying to cover their ass, I would beleive will and the Tested guys over MIcrosoft Reps any day of the week, If he says it was 120GB then it was, there is nothing to gain by lying about it, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft contacted Best By to make sure no stock was on the shelf when they went back so there was no proof.
I really think a 120GB SKU has been made, Microsoft for what ever reason didn't announce it, yet one or maybe more we don't know yet managed to get in to retailers hands.
This just doesn't make much sense and makes it seem like Matt Kessler is lying about something. I don't know that that's the case at all so I'm hoping the following can be cleared up:
1. Your buddy Will apparently bought the 120GB, so should have the hard drive and the receipt to prove your claims. Yet absolutely no proof is shown.
2. You went back to the store for pictures? Ok, maybe Will was unavailable. Except then you say the stock was depleted, leaving you UNABLE to prove it's existence? Umm, Will has one....right???
3. You say that this 120GB Xbox was 279.99 AFTER tax (meaning LESS than that before tax...) yet then you ask "Do you think it's a good deal to trade half the hard drive space for a 20 dollar saving on the console"? So, why include the tax for the 120GB but not include it for the 250GB and call it a $20 savings? Obviously if what you say is true the 120GB model was LESS THAN 279.99 before tax, making it more than a $20 savings over the 250GB version.
So what's going on? Either Matt is lying or extremely wrong, Best Buy did something extremely odd, or MS somehow let a future model slip out. IF Matt is not lying or wrong, I'll go with MS screwing up. It would make the most sense.
Live and learn. Everyone has at least one moment like this in their profession. I'm sure this fuck up will be on the back of his mind for a really long time. This just makes Matt a better Journalist in the end.
God, I still remember my first fuck up as a Web Designer. One of my top priorities is to never let that happen again.
@Radar: andatech posted this great article where they tore down a new 360, if someone was clever enough to do this and slip a 120 gb drive into a console and repackage it without anyone noticing, especially with a difference in the size of the drive encasements, they don't need to work for a retailer. this was done on the manufacturer side. period.
I just watched the new Xbox 360 unboxing on Tested.com and Will mentions that 120GB SKU. Were it just Matt's word alone, I might be inclined to think he made a mistake, but I trust Will's word on the matter.
The people saying Will should have the 120GB model, needs to turn on their brain. He obviously didn't actually BUY it after seeing it was only 120GB. Would you if 50 bucks extra gave you twice the harddrive space?
"1. Your buddy Will apparently bought the 120GB, so should have the hard drive and the receipt to prove your claims. Yet absolutely no proof is shown."
No, they went there to buy the 250GB SKU, because that's the one MS announced. Why would he then buy one with only 120GB?
@tommy7154 said:
"2. You went back to the store for pictures? Ok, maybe Will was unavailable. Except then you say the stock was depleted, leaving you UNABLE to prove it's existence? Umm, Will has one....right???"
Again, no.
@tommy7154 said:
"3. You say that this 120GB Xbox was 279.99 AFTER tax (meaning LESS than that before tax...) yet then you ask "Do you think it's a good deal to trade half the hard drive space for a 20 dollar saving on the console"?"
No, he wrote: "That's right; you can cut the storage space of the new 360 in half, and get the unit for a few bucks cheaper and a whole lot less storage space." No mention of a 20$ saving.
@tommy7154 said:
"So, why include the tax for the 120GB but not include it for the 250GB and call it a $20 savings? Obviously if what you say is true the 120GB model was LESS THAN 279.99 before tax, making it more than a $20 savings over the 250GB version."
Again, he made no mention of a 20$ saving. He merely mentions the 20$ price differential between what MS announced (300$) and what BestBuy charged (279.99$, or 250ish + tax), because that's the reason they knew something was wrong.
But are you realistically going to install that much? seems a bit overdrive "
I'm using a 20gb HD atm and I don't have enough room to keep all my Arcade games, DLC and saved files installed let alone Demos and any games I want to install so I can run them quietly.
But are you realistically going to install that much? seems a bit overdrive "
I'm using a 20gb HD atm and I don't have enough room to keep all my Arcade games, DLC and saved files installed let alone Demos and any games I want to install so I can run them quietly. "
Yeah man, that's a fair gig (Nice to see a rational response on this forum). I think as someone who only plays maybe 1/2 games at a time, it seems like a lot of money for convenience, but if you're playing several games in tandem, I can see the validity of purchase. I also have a 20gb, and it's pretty naff. But I have a PS3 too, so that's a lovely HDD size.
@Shisnopi: I have a 500GB hard drive on my PS3 and am now below the 300GB mark. Depending on how many games I buy for my 360, 250GB might not be enough.
Maybe you guys should find out if anybody bought a 360 with an alleged 120 GB Hard Drive.
And yes, of course. Over double the storage capacity is definitely worth $20. Whether you use it or not, it's only $20 more for another 130 GB, so why not? When I bought my PS3 Slim, I chose the 250 GB model over the 120 GB model for $50 more.
"Seems to me Microsoft are just trying to cover their ass, I would beleive will and the Tested guys over MIcrosoft Reps any day of the week, If he says it was 120GB then it was, there is nothing to gain by lying about it, I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft contacted Best By to make sure no stock was on the shelf when they went back so there was no proof. I really think a 120GB SKU has been made, Microsoft for what ever reason didn't announce it, yet one or maybe more we don't know yet managed to get in to retailers hands. "
But why on earth would Microsoft lie about that? What do they stand to gain by only having one SKU?
I really wish I knew what happened here because I find it hard to believe that two sets of eyes and a Best Buy register were all wrong. However I don't think Microsoft would lie about this either. Perhaps the model was a Best Buy exclusive and the representative wasn't aware of it? Who knows....
Oh man this story is getting linked all over the place. Next time you are at a Best Buy, with Will "the future" Smith, try to at least take a picture for the story you're gonna write. Also the price difference is a bit more like 50 if it's 279.99 after tax. I will say that I believe you. At the very least Best Buy effed up. You could try going in and asking them what 360 SKUs they have, as a consumer, and see if a 120gb slim, or a cheaper slim pops up.
But are you realistically going to install that much? seems a bit overdrive "
I'm using a 20gb HD atm and I don't have enough room to keep all my Arcade games, DLC and saved files installed let alone Demos and any games I want to install so I can run them quietly. "
Is 250GB too much? Maybe, but it's definitely better than a 20GB HD (which is what I also rock as well). Trying to keep demos, installed files, saves and DLC is a bitch. I don't know if I would go through 250GB, but I would welcome it.
Can't even install any games on my 20GB right now. :(
Probably just the cheaper SKU that will probably go onto shelves after the old model 360s sell. It just somehow sneaked into Best Buy a little early by mistake.
" @Shisnopi: I have a 500GB hard drive on my PS3 and am now below the 300GB mark. Depending on how many games I buy for my 360, 250GB might not be enough. "
start uninstalling games that you're done with maybe? I have a 120gb hdd and i always have about 60gb free, and thats with 6 games isntalled, most of which i havent even played in ages (like red alert 3 for example)
But are you realistically going to install that much? seems a bit overdrive "
I'm using a 20gb HD atm and I don't have enough room to keep all my Arcade games, DLC and saved files installed let alone Demos and any games I want to install so I can run them quietly. "
Is 250GB too much? Maybe, but it's definitely better than a 20GB HD (which is what I also rock as well). Trying to keep demos, installed files, saves and DLC is a bitch. I don't know if I would go through 250GB, but I would welcome it. Can't even install any games on my 20GB right now. :( "
" Wait untill the day when a game system besides PC will use a 1TB hard drive "
Imagine how big PC hard Drives will be by then.......... you could archive every single video on youtube, every single song on itunes, and every single game on steam.
"1. Your buddy Will apparently bought the 120GB, so should have the hard drive and the receipt to prove your claims. Yet absolutely no proof is shown."
No, they went there to buy the 250GB SKU, because that's the one MS announced. Why would he then buy one with only 120GB?
@tommy7154
said:
"2. You went back to the store for pictures? Ok, maybe Will was unavailable. Except then you say the stock was depleted, leaving you UNABLE to prove it's existence? Umm, Will has one....right???"
Again, no.
@tommy7154 said:
"3. You say that this 120GB Xbox was 279.99 AFTER tax (meaning LESS than that before tax...) yet then you ask "Do you think it's a good deal to trade half the hard drive space for a 20 dollar saving on the console"?"
No, he wrote: "That's right; you can cut the storage space of the new 360 in half, and get the unit for a few bucks cheaper and a whole lot less storage space." No mention of a 20$ saving.
@tommy7154 said:
"So, why include the tax for the 120GB but not include it for the 250GB and call it a $20 savings? Obviously if what you say is true the 120GB model was LESS THAN 279.99 before tax, making it more than a $20 savings over the 250GB version."
Again, he made no mention of a 20$ saving. He merely mentions the 20$ price differential between what MS announced (300$) and what BestBuy charged (279.99$, or 250ish + tax), because that's the reason they knew something was wrong. "
Ok reasonable enough that he didn't end up buying it but it still seems odd the way it's told. I mean there's no mention that it was returned or not purchased. Also he does specifically mention saving $20 in the last line of the article.
I'll lean toward this just being a slightly sloppy article and not him lying about anything. I'd still like it cleared up by him though. Also if the price was actually 279.99 AFTER tax that would mean the price was around $250? Or was that an error in the article and the price was actually 279.99 BEFORE tax. Just curious because really I'd rather have a 120GB for $50 cheaper if that's going to be possible.
I'm still confused! Did these guys see the HDD with 120 gig? That first of all. Was it 120 gig on the side of the box, the product specifications sheet, or on the HDD itself? Also, was the sku the same. stuff like that What is absolutly killing me is no pics, or anything retained to prove said story. It truly could have been some misunderstanding at this point, something not clear.
I know one thing, the story is weak (in terms of proof), but Will as I would judge him is way too together to make up such a story, Again no proof, but he hangs his rep on. Wow. Well, I would buy mine from that big online retailer I also get games from anyways. And there the specs are on the page.
"Also he does specifically mention saving $20 in the last line of the article."
You're right, he did. Sorry about that. Not entirely sure how I missed that.
@tommy7154 said:
"I'll lean toward this just being a slightly sloppy article and not him lying about anything. I'd still like it cleared up by him though. Also if the price was actually 279.99 AFTER tax that would mean the price was around $250? Or was that an error in the article and the price was actually 279.99 BEFORE tax. Just curious because really I'd rather have a 120GB for $50 cheaper if that's going to be possible."
From what I've been able to gather from the Tested.com unboxing, the 120GB SKU was 250$ before tax, 279.99$ after. In the unboxing Norm mentions that the 250GB SKU was 300$ before tax and around 327$ after.
Also, according to wikipedia (might not be entirely reliable) the old SKUs (arcade, normal, elite) are being discontinued. That would mean MS only has one SKU on the marked, which seem very unlike them. My guess would be that the 120GB SKU will replace them at some point, but MS are not ready to announce it yet.
My guess is that maybe that particular new 360 package was mislabeled as an elite. Since those are $250 now, when it was scanned, that's the price that came up on the register
I'm still using my 20GB HDD on my good ol' 360, I could easily deal with having only 120GB since I haven't even scratched the surface on the old disk space. The price difference is worth it at least for me
But are you realistically going to install that much? seems a bit overdrive "
I'm using a 20gb HD atm and I don't have enough room to keep all my Arcade games, DLC and saved files installed let alone Demos and any games I want to install so I can run them quietly. "
Same here. On my 20GB, I can't keep everything on there, and I'd also like to install a bunch of my games so I'm not hearing the whir of a DVD drive going. It's less about "250GB is overkill" and more about "we use it as a multimedia station as well as want to preserve our hardware as long as possible with the features that Microsoft offers in the box".
Allowing people to spend $299 now and let them cash in and wait for the Holiday season and drop the newer 125 gig $250/ pre-tax system perhaps?
I have nothing to gain or lose as I already bought the system and love the extra hard drive space. I am shocked though that they didn't atleast take pictures. Wonder why they didn't purchase it, maybe Best Buy didn't allow it them to take it?
Overall, the story is weird with another person spitting out an article based on two other journalists' adventure.
I think you guys jumped the gun on that. even if you saw it,I never remember you guys not to post something without evidence or something to back you up.
I really want to get one of these new 360's, but I don't feel like getting rid of the working 360 I have right now. I'll use whatever Amazon credits I have and then deal with an angry spouse
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