Xbox 360

After a badly mangled launch by Microsoft in November 2005, the Xbox 360  has finally started its life in earnest. Following months of shortages, which unfortunately outlasted the excitement of many fans, the system is now available nationwide. Though chastised unfairly as the "Xbox 1.5" by Sony die-hards, the system is far more than a rehash of Microsoft's Xbox.  Sturdy, slick and, at least until the end of 2006, by far the most powerful console on the market, the 360 seems built for the long haul. The $399 price tag for the hard-drive and wireless controller-bundled system is steep, but the tech-heads who've bought in haven't complained a bit.  You can now get the Xbox Live Vision  and an Xbox HD-DVD console, two long awaited arrivals on the Xbox scene. For a comparison of the three newest game consoles, please see the Video Game Console Buying Guide.

Reasons to Snag a 360 Now

• It looks the way you'd like it to. Xbox 360 Faceplates,  which start at $15, allow you to dress the system cute, cool or dark.
• The controller is the best, most hand-friendly design known to man. Light, intuitive and smooth-looking, it's a true gem. And the wireless version lasts more than a full day of play on one charge.
• Online is where the most intense video game experience lives, and the Xbox Live  community, which you can join for a few dollars a month, is truly the Mecca of competitive gaming. One-month ($8), three-month ($40), and twelve-month ($50) subscription cards are available. Premium Gold-Pack subscriptions cost $40 (3 months) and $70 (1 year), but come with some extras features.
• The 360 answers the prayers of HD nuts who want to blast their screens away with immaculate detail.
• Plays CDs and DVDs.
• Works as a DVR if you operate Windows Media Center.

Reasons to Wait a While Before Taking the Plunge

• It's expensive. Even if you opt for the cheaper Xbox 360 Core System,  which lacks a hard drive and includes a lame wired controller, you'll still be out more than $300, after tax. Wait a while and the price may drop.
• You've played most of these games already. Publishers have been slow to adapt to the 360's juice, and have released only slightly updated, graphically enhanced versions of older games. The landmark role-playing game Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion  is an exception.

The Fine Print

(All You Ever Wanted to Know About the 360 But Were Afraid to Ask)

• Custom IBM PowerPC-based CPU.
• Three symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each, with each sporting a RISC architecture.
• Two hardware threads per core; six hardware threads total.
• VMX-128 vector unit per core; three total.
• 128 VMX-128 registers per hardware thread.
• 1 MB L2 cache. 16k L1.
• Optimized for network play.
• Built-in 10 Mbps Ethernet port.
• Wi-Fi ready: 802.11a, b, g, n.
• Video camera ready.
• Ability to stream media from portable music devices, digital cameras and Windows XP-based PC.
• Ability to rip music to the Xbox 360 hard drive.
• Custom playlists in every game.
• Built-in Media Center Extender for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
• Interactive, full-screen 3-D visualizers.
• All games supported at 16:9, 720p, or 1080i, with anti-aliasing.
• Standard-definition and high-definition video output supported
• Multi-channel surround sound output.
• Supports 48KHz 16-bit audio.
• 320 independent decompression channels.
• 32-bit audio processing.
• More than 256 audio channels.
• Height: 83 mm.
• Width: 309 mm.
• Depth: 258 mm.
• Weight: 7.7 lbs.
• Stands vertically or horizontally.
• Interchangeable to personalize the console.

The Pioneer HTS-GS1  Surround Sound system, which was made specifically for XBox, lets you feel like you are right in the middle of the action. Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 surround sound processors 600W RMS total power AM/FM tuner LED display Multiple inputs Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration autosetup. Automatically calibrates speakers to the sonic needs of your room. Front Stage Surround Sound Realistic surround sound system experience with all speakers placed in the front of the room. Compatible with XBox Live voice chat. Compact design matches XBox. Universal XBox 360 compatible remote control.

Xbox 360 Accessories
Headset	Wireless Controller	Universal Media Remote	Play and Charge Kit

External links

• Xbox.com -- Microsoft's site devoted to all things Xbox.
• Xbox Love -- Message boards devoted to the Xbox, 360, and other consoles.
• Xbox Rumors -- Rumors, cheats and reviews of Xbox 360 and Xbox stuff.
• Xbox 360 Hacks -- Modify the 360 to your own evil needs.