Rumor: Microsoft Ready to Ship Blu-Ray Equipped Xbox 360
Posted 10/09/08 at 02:30:10 PM | by Paul Lilly
Stop us if you've heard this one before. According to the latest rumor, Microsoft plans to offer an external Blu-ray drive for its Xbox 360 console. Wait! On second thought, just hear us out.
We've heard this rumor time and time again, and in each instance, Microsoft has been quick to deny the speculation. So what makes this time any different? Possibly nothing, but it's worth noting that Microsoft hasn't publicly squashed the rumblings, at least not yet. Nor has Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology Corp (let's just call them TSST), a joint venture that XbitLabs says has been contracted to produce the external drives. If the rumor pans out, the targeted price point will be in the vicinity of $100 to $150.
Maybe Microsoft comes out and says it isn't happening, or maybe not. But the notion is at least worth considering. At $100 to $150, an Xbox 360 + Blu-ray combo would offer a competitive all-in-one solution to Sony's Playstation 3 console, and while the current response to Blu-ray can be described as lukewarm at best, that might not always be the case. HDTV's have come down in price since the days of bulky rear-projection units, and if a struggling economy doesn't have us all soon living a Mad Max lifestyle, even more homes will be equipped with high definition television sets this winter as companies look to capitalize on the Super Bowl frenzy. And with Blu-ray player pricing still relatively high, it makes sense to pick up a PS3 rather than a dedicated player. That is, unless Microsoft offers a compelling alternative.
Do you think Microsoft should finally jump on the Blu-ray bandwagon? We'd like to hear your thoughts.
Comments
Print
Email
Recommending anyone buy an
Submitted by horzo on Thu, 2008-10-09 14:27
Recommending anyone buy an Xbox Arcade is ridiculous. A modern console system that doesn't have the capacity to download large files is essentially crippled. So, $300 for Xbox w/20GB drive + $150 for the BD drive = more than the cost of a 40GB PS3 with built-in BD.
The best of both worlds would be a system with the Xbox's easy-to-program-for hardware and an internal BD drive allowing game devs to utilize the full capacity of an HD format. Not to mention the fact that a slower-spinning internal drive would make the Xbox sound a bit less like a vacuum cleaner on steroids. Unfortunately, it ain't gonna happen. MS has to maintain compatibility with existing 360s.
20GB Drive?
Submitted by guest001 on Thu, 2008-10-09 20:23
The Xbox 360 has been upgraded from its original 20gb hard drive to an 60gb hard drive, maintaining the same price, making it quite an even trade, especially with all of the exclusive games on the 360.
Submitted by horzo on Thu, 2008-10-09 21:06
I have both consoles and rarely use either. My PS3 is used for watching BDs maybe twice a week, and my 360 is uh, well, I can't actually remember the last time I turned it on...
Submitted by Pyrophorics on Thu, 2008-10-09 14:30
No one recommended, just suggesting that people are going to do that instead of a PS3. Personally, I already have all three systems and love each in their own ways.
What I have noticed though is that people like to believe the 360 is cheaper even though once you all all the same features as the PS3 it costs more. People will only see that you can get a Arcade for $200 and the Blu-Ray for $100-150.
Personally, I would never suggest any addon device such as a movie player.
In either case, gamers that own a 360 and that were on the fence about buying a PS3 will now just buy the Blu-Ray drive.
Really, this just proves the one thing I have said about the PS3 since its launch. Sony doesn't care about the PS3 as a gaming system, only that their next gen movie format survives. They don't want another beta max on their hands.
Submitted by Pyrophorics on Thu, 2008-10-09 13:01
Offering Blu-Ray for the 360 will end the war over PS3 and give current 360 owners almost no reason to buy the system.
In addition, setting a retail price of $100-150 would leave the setup still costing less than a PS3. Buy yourself a $200 360 Arcade system and the Blu-Ray addon for $300-350 total. Thats just nuts!
Well
Submitted by maniacm0nk3y on Thu, 2008-10-09 12:42
They do have a good thing going with the movies, and now introducing netflix-maybe that's their way of going instead of blu-ray? But it would do a great deal to sales to include blu-ray...but it kind of pushes the early adopters (like usual) to a negative end.
Submitted by roninnder on Thu, 2008-10-09 14:33
Repeat after me... downloaded/streaming media is not a replacement for optical media. Not for blu-ray, not for dvds. Not this year, not next year, not the year after that. I reserve judgement on the following years.
Submitted by maniacm0nk3y on Thu, 2008-10-09 19:19
But in Microsoft's terms that's the best quality to give to consumers.
RESOURCE CENTER
KICK ASS OFFERS
MOST COMMENTED ARTICLES
THIS MONTH's ISSUE 
FEATURE Awesome Upgrades: The best PC upgrades in every price range.HOW TO Connect your PC to your surround-sound audio systemProtect Your PC We put 10 of the most popular antivirus programs to the test to see which will protect you best. Android Revealed Find out how the Google-powered HTC G1 stacks up against its rivals.
Technology News
Computer Cooling Fans
Computer Cases
PC Game Controllers
PC Games
Computer Hardware
Headphones
MP3 Players
Stream Video
Computer Mouse
Monitors
Motherboards
NAS Storage
Networking
Laptop Computers
DVD Burner
Digital Cameras
Portable Storage
Computer Accessories
Smartphone
Antivirus Software
Sound Cards
Speakers
Computer Systems
Thumb Drives
Video Cameras
Video Card Reviews
Water Cooling
Gadgets
- Keyboards
© 2008 Future US, Inc. All Rights Reserved.