Top 10 must-have features for Xbox 360 Slim

All signs point to "yes" for an Xbox 360 console refresh after what appears to be a leaked motherboard photo surfaced on a Chinese gaming forum.

We first dropped the notion of such a move last August; we're hoping Microsoft uses this opportunity to address a number of complaints, annoyances, and other hiccups most of us have experienced during the first 4.5 years of Xbox 360 ownership.

[-Alpha]

-Built in Wifi
-Blu Ray (not likely)
-Ability to hold multiple discs at once (good for those multi-disc games like FF13)
-Built in power brick

Hm... what else...

[swiftshot93]

They're asking to make it like a PS3? They wont do that. They'll do whatever makes the console cheaper to produce.

[FangBlade]

I'm still waiting for a 42nm motherboard from Microsoft.

[kaveti6616]

Microsoft is not catering to an HD-ready audience.

I get it now. They went after the budget market. In my case, it worked out exceptionally well because I don't have an HDTV, so I don't have an HDMI cable, and I don't need a Blu-Ray player because I don't have an HDTV. In that sense, my 360 is the perfect fit for me.

However, I do also have a PS3, and that's where my heart is in sorrow. The PS3 does have a blu-ray player, and most of its exclusives are in HD. In short, the PS3 is catered to an HD ready market right out of the box, but I can't enjoy the HD that PS3 provides.

PS3 fanboys who scorn the 360 for sub-HD games like Halo 3 and Splinter Cell Conviction and FFXIII (360 version) can laugh just a tad more knowing that my television's highest resolution is 480p. Thus, the 360s tech is still very much beyond what I can handle. Don't even get me started on how bitter I am about having to play games like KZ2 and UC2 in 480p.

[FangBlade]

i lol'ed @ u

[qface64]

i bet if a slim 360 it won't have many heck it won't have any of the things on that list

besides maybe being more quiet

[The Wood]

lmao..... good sport

[HolyOrangeCows]

It'll be funny when it has a better failure rate and the xbox fanboys pretend like the other 40 million xboxs no longer exist.

The user replaceable HDD will never happen. Microsoft makes way too much profit off of those tiny things. 60GB for $100.....pfft.

[thereapersson]

rofl...

well-played, good sir

[Syronicus]

Built-In WiFi - Not going to happen.
Quieter - Possible
Built-In Power Brick - Yeah right...
Quality Control - Here's something to hope for...
Better Cloud Based Storage - Do they have any right now?
User Replaceable HDD Storage - Not going to happen.
Better USB Support - Who needs it?
BD Support - NEVER going to happen.
Slot-Loading Drive - That would require new tech - Won't happen.
Netflix for Silver Members - What, you want something free from MS?

Good luck.

[aaron5829]

bluray drive wont happen.

however, a built in wifi and get rid of that god damn rrod...

i'm sold...

[MorganX]

If the XSlim rumors are true, I doubt they add any hard features. If they do, here's what I think they need:

- Silence
- USB 3.0 (This would solve Blu-Ray problem as external would do fine)
- HDMI Chip that supports DTS-MA and TrueHD Audio Codecs with bitstreaming. Right now Xbox is not even in the same league with PS3 as far as HD Audio goes.
- Incremental GPU bump wouldn't hurt and won't happen.

That's really all the Xbox needs. Well built-in Wireless-N but that won't happen due to cost. Too bad MS won't open the Xbox to third party wireless. You can get a mini-N adapter for $19 on the street.

[God_Of_Epicness]

By making it absolutely like PS3? Yup. That'll be a big win for MS but when PS4 comes out, 720 will be last-gen when compared to it.

[ThanatosDMC]

Or... you could buy a PS3. I highly recommend MAG and Killzone 2 for FPS lovers. Play it on an HDTV seriously.

[MorganX]

If PS3 had Live!, XBLA's Games, and Xbox's Controller, I wouldn't give XBOX a second thought.

[Kev2077]

mmm got to make the console smaller but add more features ..mmm i see a bit of a problem :(

[Exquisik]

Only things I'm hoping the 360 Slim would have are better heatsinks and better ventilation! Seriously, all the other features will render useless if the GPU gets hot fast and overheat the motherboard. The heatsinks that came with the original 360 are poorly designed and are not much useful at all. And please do not solder the GPU and CPU onto the motherboard!

[sid4gamerfreak]

if microsoft do all those things mentioned in the article, I'll eat my hat. Seriously.

[timzone]

Why not just buy a PS3?

[mcnablejr]

people wanna play good games....

(on an xbox)

[Lord Vader]

Because of the games. No MASS EFFECT, No HALO, No GEARS, & most importantly, no XBL, partys, demos, & CHAT.

I have both machines, Sonys got some great exclusives (UC2, GOW3) but PSN doesnt hardly get any content compared to XBL (demos), navigation is slow & clumsy, no parties, no cross game chat... PSN still has A LONG way to go. Great for a few stellar SP titles, but MP & online gaming with friends, not so much.

[VenerableBmoney]

Agreed. Anyone here can look back at my comment history and see that I support both consoles for their positives, but comparing the 360 pay service to the PS3 free service is comparing two completely different entities. Sony still has yet to add cross-game party/chat support (something the 360 made a big show of adding with the NXE update).

There has to be a reason Microsoft charges for their service. It makes more sense for them to offer it free to compete with Sony. Clearly, if they could make it free, they would, since that would help them sell more consoles.

So instead of complaining, ask yourself why the console with the $4.50/month pay service is still outselling the free online service, onboard wi-fi having, "it only does everything" console.

[Gradient]

You're just begging for RROD.

[Godmars290]

Guessing I'm not the only one seeing that the Slim 360 Cnet wants is a PS3.

[alphakennybody]

does anyone remember the article published by Cnet saying that buying a sony blu-ray laptop is the better choice than investing in a ps3 slim right after it was announced? Now that its a 360 slim, they want almost the same features as the ps3 on it? double standard much?

[PirateThom]

Funny that.

But there's no bias in the media. It's all an illusion.

[Eamon]

Why do you guys get so worked up about these things?

[The Wood]

worked up you say...looked like a valid comment to me...i mean its not like they typed in FULL CAPS like they're shouting...CNET can be full of sh!te, they just highlighted it imo....y

[Godmars290]

Would love to know how anyone is getting worked up over this.

Would also like to know if MS does do all of these changes, include BR and wi-fi, do people also expect the system to remain "cheap?" Do they also expect devs to deal with the headache of publishing 360 games on BR knowing that they'll have to still print games on DVD9 because of the older consoles?

[Omega4]

As long as its an improved design (unlike some slims) and has a decent sized harddrive I will buy it.

[The Wood]

never let up do u greenberg

[mcnablejr]

he was pointing out the ps3 slim.. and i agree it doesnt look nice.
compared to the sleek (if fat) model.

[Corrwin]

1) Slot-loading DVD Drive.
2) SILENT cooling fan.
3) No RROD would be lovely.
4) PATA/SATA Hard Disk compatibility
5) Built in Wireless

It's all I ask Microsoft, and it's stuff your competitors have been doing since day 1, if not last gen.

[peeps]

i doubt they would be able to put the powerbrick inside if they slimmed it down... lol isn't the point that usually u end up with a powerbrick after slimming down a console e.g. ps2 original = no powerbrick, ps2 slim = powerbrick

anyway:

built in wi-fi - they should include it but i reckon they are making to much money selling it as an overpriced stand alone adapter

quiter operation - deffo needed. atm when it comes to watching dvd's i don't have to think twice about which console i wanna watch em on

power brick - as discussed above. if anything there will be more need to have one

quality control - will improve if they use better hardware, ensure it's well laid out/assembled. but making a slim console is also about reducing costs so who knows.

cloud - isn't this more software?

user replaceable hdd - would be great but like the wi-fi i reckon they make too much money on it. end of the day ppl wanna play 360 and if they want a bigger hdd they have to bite the bullet and pay ms's ridiculous prices. ms know this which is why i can't see em changing it.

more usb could be useful but i tend to find the 360 doesn't really have any use for the 2 anyway other than charging my controllers.

blu-ray - i would be stunned tbh. theres no way after all the hd-dvd, blu-ray is pointless stuff will they now include blu-ray. maybe if it was bigger, but the fact is blu-ray may have won the 'hd movie war' but it's still not half as popular as dvd's

slot loading - doesn't really matter

netflix - software issue

[sukru]

Several sites investigated the leaked photos, and most of the things listed in CNet article are probably not coming.

WIFI - No chipset is seen on the motherboard

Quiter operation - probably coming, the cpu/gpu combo needs less power, also the dvd drive no longer obscures air flow

Power Brick - still there (but probably smaller)

Quality control - we wish

Cloud support - what is that?

User replicable hdd - already done by a hack, for official support - fat chance :)

Usb - why? no extra ports seen on motherboard

Blu Ray support - I think they either are kidding, or they want a PS3 :)

Slot loading drive - probably coming, new sata port, and less space for dvd drive probably means it's coming

Netflix - yes service issue

[Godmars290]

The only real thing keeping them from making Netflix available to Silver accounts, of essentially making it free, is the video sharing option it has.

In other words no reason at all.

[Rockox]

I've seen alot of people mention slot loading drives. What are the benefits to having one?

[Shadow Man]

Blu-ray? Is not gonna happen until the 720.

[awesomeperson]

So, in summary, make it a PS3?

[Wrathman]

wait..if im not mistaken..every firmware update since the ps3's launch has been aimed solely at makin the ps3 like the xbox360.

i dare you to call me out and prove me wrong.everytime i see an article on here..things the ps3 needs..it always includes features the xbox already has!

[avengers1978]

@awesomeperson--I was just thinking the exact same thing. Blu-ray, wifi, no disc tray, sounds like a PS3 to me, Hey everyone buy the new Xbox PS3...
If they do add blu-ray this will force all 360 owners to buy a new system, making this no longer the 360, If they have the BRD then developers will make blu-ray games uncapable of playing on the current version of the 360. The new slim blu-ray version should be able to play the old 360 games, but now a days that isn't a given.
Oh, and I can't wait for the Bots to say how awesome it will be to have blu-ray, even though they currently spend a fair amount of time bashing Blu-ray, and singing the praises of strickly digital media.

[cameronhun]

It's good they didn't make wifi standard because wifi is prone to disconnects and interference from cordless phones and microwaves. Maybe part of the reason Xbox Live is so much more successful than PS3 and Wii online gaming is because the majority of Xbox 360 owners use rock solid wired ethernet connections. The more people who use wifi on Xbox Live the worse the service will become for everyone.
Like this

http://www.articlesbase.com...

[aaron5829]

i have my ps3, and pc connected via wireless..

and yes.. i have cordless phones and microwaves.

[kneon]

My main PS3 is directly connected to a 1000base T capable router while the others connect via WiFi and there has been no discernible difference in connection quality or speed. There are plenty of other WiFi networks in the area plus I have 4 cordless phones.

[TheObserver]

You are not going to put a microwave/phone next to a WiFi adapter/router and use that microwave/phone are you? Much less expensive game consoles.

It is common sense to put kitchen appliances in the kitchen and not next to your TV sets.

[Dorwrath]

I had that problem with my wireless PS3 and 2nd xbox with wireless adapter(original) When the N adapter came out better signal strength was received by the wireless Xbox 360 and less interference from other devices.

So looking back I was glad they sold the adapters separately, but now that N is available I think it should be built in.

Personally I think the slim is a rumor that will turn out to be something else.

[thehitman]

there is always the wifi AND!! the Ethernet port lol.. its never either or its always both. Dont justify MS stupidity.

[Godmars290]

XBL is more successful than PSN and Wii online, because MS says so and people like you believe them.

[PS360_37]

I'm pretty sure they are more successful whether or not MS says so...keep flaming. Its kinda funny that I have PS3 and 360 and I'm still HAPPILY paying for XBL.

[NotSoSilentBob]

You play more on the 360 because that is where your friends are. I play more on PS3 cause well that is where my friends play.

[PS360_37]

I have multiplats for both systems. Try playing Bioshock 2 on PSN and compare it to XBL. Its a completely different online experience, and not in a good way. The same friends bought the PS3 version and then sold it to get the 360 version after we tried playing it on PSN. This is the reason I still happily pay for XBL. I can play a multiplat on PSN with the same friends as XBL, but I choose not too.

[Basil-Rathboner]

Must have features

The ability not to explode after more than 4hrs continuous play setting your home on fire.
The ability not to sound like an Apache chopper on take off.
The ability not to scratch your new copy of Mass effect 2 rendering it unplayable.
The ability not to suffer E74.
The ability not to have battery operated controllers.
The ability not to charge me a new mortgage for any peripherals.
The ability to produce AA game experiences (at present a AA on xbox is changing the batteries for the controller.)
The ability not to shaft my wallet to play online.

DO this then i might actually buy one.

[Convas]

That last one you have voids itself if all the others are done. I'd be willing to pay $50 bucks a year for that kind of console gaming experience.

[Wrathman]

lol.you FAIL.WOT A DUMB ASS

[Basil-Rathboner]

Spread that $50 out over 5 to 6 years and its $300.
I would rather spend that money on new games.
Its a common misconception that Xbox 360 offers a better service.
Xbox 360 has no FREE online and NO FREE WEB BROWSER.

I am off to download for FREE off my PS3 browser, a copy of Avatar in 3D and a copy of the new Sherlock Holmes movie in blu-ray off the web, to keep on my PS3 hard drive for FREE . Then i will look at enough p0rn for FREE of my PS3 browser to make me go just about blind (this might make looking at xbox 360 exclusives tolerable.)Then i will download some FREE demos off PSN. Later i will play the undisputed game of the year Uncharted 2 for FREE online and round the evening off watching a blu-ray movie safe in the knowledge that my PS3 wont scratch my discs, explode and burn my house down.

Then i shall retire for the evening to smoke my opium pipe.

The only so called superior experience on Xbox 360 is heartbreak. Whats more dullards and nincompoops are happy to pay for a $hafting and come back for seconds thirds and in some cases fifths.

Micro$haft must surely be glad there are a lot of deluded brainwashed people out there.

Thats there choice though so i respect that.

[Convas]

And I'll admit that $50 a year is something the is highly ridiculous in light of PSN, but I've not payed a cent for my Xbox Live, nor do I plan to, so it's just as well.

[Father Murder X]

What hardcore gamers actually use WIFI to game on the consoles. That seems to be a rallying cry of the fanboys but how many of you actually game online wireless?

You get better speed with the ol' ethernet cord in the back of the system. I have both systems and wired gaming is superior in so many ways it is not worth talking about

[NotSoSilentBob]

I know a lot of people who use Wifi in their house cause they don't want to run the network cables threw their houses or have them lying around on the floor for a pet to chew on or trip over, or have a child tug on it and cause the console to fall off a entertainment center.

[PS360_37]

Try streaming videos with your 360 or PS3 better than SD over wireless. If you don't have an expensive N router then you are bound to experience problem. At least that was my experience. With that said, any new console should still include both. Gaming over wireless is perfectly fine.

[ForROME]

Its odd Xbox started off right last gen built like a tank and a HD standard then this gen they make a HD seem like an Accessorie and not a requirement, odd, too bad too last gen I loved my xbox this gen the PS3 and xbox switched places.

[PS360_37]

You can pretty much blame that on HD DVD not working out. They laid their cards out just like Sony did with Blu-Ray. Thanks to the porn business(no joke) Blu-Ray took off and the rest is history. MS really had no way of physically getting HD media to users. This gen would be completely different if HD-DVD took off and Blu-Ray didn't.

[NotSoSilentBob]

The porn industry didn't decide the format war. The major Studios seeing Blu-ray discs were outselling their HD-DVD counterparts. Because blu-ray was on the ps3 people bought more blu-rays, with a 200$ HD-dvd addon people weren't going to spend the extra and then get the discs.

[bednet]

I think he meant HDD not HD as in High Definition. The original xbox had a standard HDD and now it's optional, an accessory.

[kneon]

@PS360_37

Even had HD-DVD miraculously won the "HD Disk War" it still wouldn't have helped Microsoft much as it was not standard on the 360. It required an expensive add on so most 360s did not, and would not for a long time have had HD-DVD support. The developers were never going to create two versions of a game for the same platform so Microsoft's initial decision to go DVD ensured it would be DVD for the life of the 360.

I'm sure Microsoft only planned the 360 to have a 5 year life which was plenty of time for the HD format to get settled. It wasn't a bad plan but now that they are trying to extend the life of the 360 it's causing them problems.

[PS360_37]

I see what you guys are saying. Either way you are right about MS having problems now that they want to extend the life of the 360. They need to start pushing digital media if they want to keep it going. As far as I'm concerned that is the only way they can solve the physical media problem that they are having. Even digital distribution is not guaranteed cure because some people don't like it and with the crappy way they are handling storage situation in terms of hard drives, its a very sketchy future for the 360.

@NotSoSilentBob

Yes the studios picked Blu-Ray, and that includes the porn studios, but i don't think it was because of the PS3 at that time. The PS3 was barely out and not doing nearly as well as it is today. The porn studios had to pick an HD format and that went a long way in deciding what format was going to win out.

[NotSoSilentBob]

What are you talking about ps360?

The Porn industry also embraced HD-Dvd

http://www.hddvdfreak.com/2...

Blu-ray was the superior format and was choose by the consumers. Hd-dvd failed hard because they didn't innovate.

[nemey]

a must have features for xbox360 slim?( Exclusives Games )

[rohail88]

It should not be an Xbox 360!

[Darkfiber]

They will never have built in wi-fi, or blu-ray support, or silver Netflix queues or replaceable harddrives. It's Microsoft, come on.

[OhReginald]

why not just add....."Be more like the playstation 3" as number 11.