DFC Intelligence analyst David Cole says that a slim-line version of the Xbox 360 is "a question of when not if", and says it's likely to happen next year.
"I think it is a question of when not if. However, the when part is a big uncertainty... rumours have been going on for a long time, said Cole in the wake of the official reveal of Sony's new skinny console.
Xbox 360: 'Project Natal'
Official trailer
1:35Xbox's motion control
Xbox 360: 'Project Natal'
Official trailer
1:35Xbox's motion control
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"As cost efficiencies allow smaller and more reliable is always a good thing. However, you also have something like Project Natal which could also tie in with hardware redesigns.
"There are a lot of questions Microsoft must weigh internally and there are always going to arguments on both sides of the fence around timing. So I don't know, but in our DFC forecasts we anticipated a major redesign in 2010....so I guess that was our bet," he told Industry Gamers.
For once I agree with an analyst, They probably alrerdy have a smaller version ready for when Natal is released.
They have been working on a unified chip for both processor and graphics which will bring down the heat issue they had and also reduce the power requirements.
If this happens (which it won't) then all Microsoft will do is further p**s off the whinier of the Xbox owners.
If they made it slim for instance all the HDD's wouldn't fit in the new system which is bad for me because I spent £99 on my 120GB
But quite frankly I don't think the system is bad looking or too big currently so therefore on an aesthetic and practical basis it just will not happen
What a load of cobblers! MS can't even get the fat one to work properly.
Hence a complete redesign???
I've always said they need to fix the noise and reliablilty if they want to really hit the mainstream or casual audience. I don't think size matters THAT much.
For once I agree with an analyst, They probably alrerdy have a smaller version ready for when Natal is released.
They have been working on a unified chip for both processor and graphics which will bring down the heat issue they had and also reduce the power requirements.
If that is true, then expect a stampede of 360 owners trading in their old model for the new slim. And not just for aesthetic reasons, as those who are trading their PS3's for the slim model are doing.
If this happens (which it won't) then all Microsoft will do is further p**s off the whinier of the Xbox owners.
If they made it slim for instance all the HDD's wouldn't fit in the new system which is bad for me because I spent £99 on my 120GB
But quite frankly I don't think the system is bad looking or too big currently so therefore on an aesthetic and practical basis it just will not happen
You will be able to change the HDD, maybe even use any 2.5" HDD and just slot it in like the PS3(that would be nice)! Actually on a side note, does the new PS3 allow new HDD's to be put in? Whne I read about it no one seemed sure...
I agree, whilst the 360 isn't the best looking, it certainly isn't ugly.
What a load of cobblers! MS can't even get the fat one to work properly.
Hence a complete redesign???
I've always said they need to fix the noise and reliablilty if they want to really hit the mainstream or casual audience. I don't think size matters THAT much.
You're right. It could be a solution to the hardware problem that has been the albatross around Microsofts neck. And a release around the time of Natal could be a good move.
Put it this way, i wouldn't put it past MS. They went and completely changed front end of the Xbox with the whole avatar update, basically the only time in console history a console maker has done that....so a slimmed down, reliable version of the console is a sensible step.
*quote*
"If they made it slim for instance all the HDD's wouldn't fit in the new system which is bad for me because I spent £99 on my 120GB"
I'm sure that if a redesign took place they would factor that in. There is no way on gods green earth even MS would reduce to changing the HD on the new system. Maybe slide it onto the top or the back. A "slim" version of the console doesn't just mean it's thinner. The new PS3 is slimmer then the old model, but it's also slightly longer.
no chance, they cant even stabilize their existing system in a bigger case to date. putting it in a smaller case isnt going to improve reliability!
you can change the slim ps3 HDD, seen it done. but MS wont be changing their specialised-for-profit HDD scheme. they would need to develop a new one or make the old one fit on a slimmer model... which wouldnt fit.
highly unlikely. If they didn't do it to the original xbox which was a great noisey lump that needed a redesign. they're not going to do it to the relatively visually pleasing 360.
Its alot cheaper in R&D to find ways to reduce the costs of existing hardware than a complete redesign.
The main reason Sony are doing it is becasue they are trying to force a sort of do over, as the existing PS3 has has such a muddled marketing strategy nobody knows exactly what its for.
While as the slim is being touted as a games machine first and foremost. New image, new machine. Same sony claptrap.
If this happens (which it won't) then all Microsoft will do is further p**s off the whinier of the Xbox owners.
If they made it slim for instance all the HDD's wouldn't fit in the new system which is bad for me because I spent £99 on my 120GB
But quite frankly I don't think the system is bad looking or too big currently so therefore on an aesthetic and practical basis it just will not happen
You will be able to change the HDD, maybe even use any 2.5" HDD and just slot it in like the PS3(that would be nice)! Actually on a side note, does the new PS3 allow new HDD's to be put in? Whne I read about it no one seemed sure...
I agree, whilst the 360 isn't the best looking, it certainly isn't ugly.
they have redesigned the motherboard a few times and changed the processors to smaller ones. still RROD's... are you saying its the it just needs a new plastic case and the problem will disappear?!
they have plenty space to re-jig it inside there already. they cant solve the problem.
Who’s to say they won’t just provide a data transfer cable with the new design, so you can transfer all your files onto a new Microsoft HDD design? That way they still keep it a closed system with overpriced extras, whilst making the new system desirable to current owners without fear of excluding them.
As for reliability? Well if they got rid of that stigma with a new system, they'd be laughing.
they have redesigned the motherboard a few times and changed the processors to smaller ones. still RROD's... are you saying its the it just needs a new plastic case and the problem will disappear?!
well yes, if the system is moved inside and so the air flow is better, it could be.
However, MS have been working on merging the GPU and CPU together on a smaller chip and so that would certainly help.
Personally, I don't see the obsession with making everything 'slim'. Redesign the innards by all means if it lowers cost, adds reliability. I much prefer the original Playstaytion 3's design.
they have redesigned the motherboard a few times and changed the processors to smaller ones. still RROD's... are you saying its the it just needs a new plastic case and the problem will disappear?!
they have plenty space to re-jig it inside there already. they cant solve the problem.
If MS wanted to solve the problem, I am 99.9% sure they could. You seriously think it is beyond them to fix this issue?
Now whether it is cost effective to redesign it or whether it puts the built costs up to a level they are not happy with is a different matter.
Either way the reliability of the 360 sucks and it's a caveat emptor situation for anyone who gets one. If MS had sorted this ridiculous situation two years ago, I think they'd be miles ahead by now in terms of sales. But perhaps their profit/loss sheet would look worse.
they have redesigned the motherboard a few times and changed the processors to smaller ones. still RROD's... are you saying its the it just needs a new plastic case and the problem will disappear?!
they have plenty space to re-jig it inside there already. they cant solve the problem.
If MS wanted to solve the problem, I am 99.9% sure they could. You seriously think it is beyond them to fix this issue?
Now whether it is cost effective to redesign it or whether it puts the built costs up to a level they are not happy with is a different matter.
Either way the reliability of the 360 sucks and it's a caveat emptor situation for anyone who gets one. If MS had sorted this ridiculous situation two years ago, I think they'd be miles ahead by now in terms of sales. But perhaps their profit/loss sheet would look worse.
do you seriously think they havent tried to fix it?!
they have had 6 versions and no joy.
and if they combine the gpu and cpu, will that really lower the heat? and if so, is there a need to re-case it if it does lower the heat?!
bit of a fail if they dont get the power brick inside like sony done. but that would add to the heat again.
they have redesigned the motherboard a few times and changed the processors to smaller ones. still RROD's... are you saying its the it just needs a new plastic case and the problem will disappear?!
they have plenty space to re-jig it inside there already. they cant solve the problem.
If MS wanted to solve the problem, I am 99.9% sure they could. You seriously think it is beyond them to fix this issue?
Now whether it is cost effective to redesign it or whether it puts the built costs up to a level they are not happy with is a different matter.
Either way the reliability of the 360 sucks and it's a caveat emptor situation for anyone who gets one. If MS had sorted this ridiculous situation two years ago, I think they'd be miles ahead by now in terms of sales. But perhaps their profit/loss sheet would look worse.
do you seriously think they havent tried to fix it?!
they have had 6 versions and no joy.
and if they combine the gpu and cpu, will that really lower the heat? and if so, is there a need to re-case it if it does lower the heat?!
Well considering we're all speculating here, I would imagine they can fix it. But as I said, perhaps would take quite a radical overhaul (i.e pricey). None of us are experts on building consoles, perhaps in order to sort out the over heating you have to change one component, and because you changed this you have to change another one and so on.
Perhaps the only way MS can justify that expense is on a relaunch?
But it's all speculation. I for one don't think they even need a slim model. Just fix the noise and RRoD. Oh and the DVD scratching etc too. It's not a big problem, but while they're at it they might as well.
I'd rather see the Xbox 360 Reliable before the Slim.
That said, it's interesting to note how some of the 3600bashers in this thread were throwing their dollies around after GT5's disapointing show the other day!
My original Xbox was nigh on silent! Still a brick though... and yet, still awesome.
I really don't care for redesigns. My 360 with Gears of War faceplate looks ace as it is! And it refuses to die so I'm not having any problems. Go me! The original PS3 may have looked like a George Foreman/tombstone/Darth Vaders cod piece, but it certainly looks better than that redesign!
I suppose a redesign would all depend on how long Microsoft are planning on supporting the xbox as it is,say another 5 years then maybe the price of a redesign is worth it.
I think MS could make a slim model work with the old HDD's. Whats to stop it actually sitting inside the machine with some sort of access panel to open (Like the PS3 HDD access panel) when you need to get to it. It could just lay flat insidce the machine, that would work.
I also think that they will make a new slim version of the 360, that hopfully would finally work without the risk of extreme overheat damage.
But like Lawless1891 said, how much longer are MS going to support the 360. If they were clever they would support it for at least 3 more years to keep in with the same life cycle as the Wii and PS3 - then making a slim model would be worth it.
I think MS should release a slim model as the gap between PS3 and 360 is closing fast then people think. It is no longer 10 million, it is now 8 million and a new slim 360 could help MS widen the gap.
People saying the HDD won't fit are just short sighted. Not literally, I'm not here to have a pop at myopics.
The 360 HDD panel is about 9" x 3". So as long as one side of a redesigned 360 is at least that big, then it would fit.
I keep seeing the gap is closing between the two, yet VGchartz (the only regular worldwide figures I can find) have the 360 outselling the PS3 every week for at least the last ten weeks, and by about 20% too.
if they can do it and make it more reliable and dont then why is every1 bashing sony for any reason at all? i would very much like one as it means i can remove my 360 from my windowsill and wont have to run the risk of it from getting wet when it rains and it wont sound like i live besides an airport anymore.
highly unlikely. If they didn't do it to the original xbox which was a great noisey lump that needed a redesign. they're not going to do it to the relatively visually pleasing 360.
Its alot cheaper in R&D to find ways to reduce the costs of existing hardware than a complete redesign.
The main reason Sony are doing it is becasue they are trying to force a sort of do over, as the existing PS3 has has such a muddled marketing strategy nobody knows exactly what its for.
While as the slim is being touted as a games machine first and foremost. New image, new machine. Same sony claptrap.
See now I always had a soft spot for the original Xbox just something about it was just cool
Redesigns are expensive, and a way to appeal to a "new audience" (unsurprisingly, the PS3 slim IS a reaction to slow sales -- but denying it, that bloke was essentially confirming it).
As Microsoft have already lost waaaay too much money via faulty consoles, they won't see the point in redesigning. Unless of course they think Natal will secure them Wii-like sales (unlikely), in which case they may deem it "worth while". I say more like a waste of cash, as they've already released newer, more efficient chip-sets with more efficient processors.
Redesigns are expensive, and a way to appeal to a "new audience" (unsurprisingly, the PS3 slim IS a reaction to slow sales -- but denying it, that bloke was essentially confirming it).
I still don't like this whole PS3 slow sales stuff people keep dreaming up.
1) In Andrew House's speach he said "market conditions" to relation to the so-called credit crunch. If you read his speach it says this:
"We are aware that consumers are watching their euros and pounds more carefully than before and it may make a price reduction have potentially even more impact. But it would not be fair to say this is a reaction to current market conditions,"
Its not a speach talking about what YOU think to be slow sales of their product.
2) They have sold faster than the 360 for crying out loud! Sont have sold more PS3's in the time they have been on the market which is about 2 and half years. If you look at 360 sales after 2 and half years your find it is under what Sony are sitting at, at the moment. I am sick of these fanboy lies that people keep dreaming up.
Can't say I have ever heard that. I find they are quite a reliable source.
I'm not sure about their bias, but from reading a few things online last night, they might not be the most accurate - especially with their short terms charts (first week sales etc), as they use (as all sources do) some degree of estimation.
Europe seems to be the stumbling block as there are official figures from the US and Japan.
Assuming they are neutral, even if they're inaccurate, to get it wrong by 20% week in, week out seems extreme. You'd think if they keep saying that, but then official MS/Sony figures are at total odds with them, they'd lose all credibility.
It wouldn't be the first website to be accused of anti sony bias though.
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