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Arcade vs Elite
Toldo
But actually,WeegianRegistered User regular
But actually,WeegianRegistered User regular
As it turns out, my New Year's resolution is to get an Xbox 360. Unless I am mistaken, it comes in two standard configurations: the Arcade and Elite. The perks of the Elite 360 is an HDD, an ethernet cable, a headset, and... blackness, while the Arcade comes with games I'll probably never touch. Which is the better deal? I already know I want to get a second controller and two or so games, and that's a lot of skrilla right there. Is it better to go for the cheaper configuration and buy an HDD later (if I need one) or splurge now and get the Elite?
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There's the Arcade, which usually comes with two games. Built in 512MB memory units.
There's the "old" elite, which usually does not come with games (except Hexic HD on the HDD). 120GB.
The "new" elites, which are bundle packs with a game. 250GB HDD. I think these are currently either MW2 or Forza 3. The Forza 3 one is red, I believe.
As it is, any of the HDD ones are cheaper than buying the arcade + a HDD.
HDD is needed for:
- OXBox backwards compat with discs
- Most game DLC (bigger than the memory units). You'll definitely need one if you get into Rock Band.
- if you want to actually make use of Games on Demand.
- You can copy games to the HDD and the 360 will play them from the HDD, letting the laser rest.
- I believe Netflix requires the HDD.
Basically, if you're planning to get the HDD anyway, just get the Elite.
http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=75938
Available at most fine local videogame retailers(tm)
(it also comes with two controllers)
If you want to do HD you will have to buy component cables or a VGA cable seperately, but this is true for any 360 model these days.
Or if you have HDMI capability, you can also just use an HDMI cable.
Couldn't I just buy a standard HDMI cable from monoprice and be done with it, or is there a special attachment at one end of the official xbox cable?
And official stuff is always expensive because markups = $texas in money.
Wait what? Im using a standard HDMI cable I got on Amazon for $.01 (literally, I paid like $5.96 for 2 HDMI cables, 5.94 of which was shipping), no modification necessary.
Yeah, you need nothing if you want the audio through the HDMI cable. However, if you want optical digital audio then you'll need to use the output located on your standard component cables. You cannot have these cables plugged in at the same time as an HDMI cable unless you crack open the casing on the component cables where it meets the 360 (the plastic will block the HDMI port). MS deliberately put the ports too close so that people would pay $50 to get digital audio at the same time as HDMI.
The refurbished units (by microsoft, not gamestop) come with two wireless controllers and a HDD (though only 20gigs) for just $199. I think its easily the best xbox deal out there right now. Though 20gigs can be a struggle if you use it a lot.
ed: I don't think you necessarily need to get the 250 though, if there are cheaper options. I've never felt like I was even close to filling my 120.
Pluto was a planet and I'll never forget
Odds are the reburbs aren't Jasper units, and I couldn't recommend the old units to anyone in good conscience. If you look up the warranty that covers the refurbished units you'll find the terms are different from retail 360s, and this is a big one:
New 360:
Reburb:
So not only do you have a higher chance of getting a 360 prone to getting the RROD, it's not covered by the three year RROD warranty.
Also, is there a noticeable difference between the sound through the HDMI versus the cracked open component case?
[Edit] It appears that a 12.1 v power supply indicates a Jasper. I'll keep an eye out.
Also, regarding the HDMI/Audio dilemma:
Where the heck are you seeing optical on the component cables? The Red/White RCA? That's not optical. Right now I have HDMI from the Xbox to my TV and an optical cable from my TV to my Receiver. I was assuming that is the best possible sound situation.
Edit: Nevermind, I guess it's on the newer component cables.
This is actually a picture of my VGA cables since I can't seem to find my original composite/component cables that came in the box, but the plug is the same thing.
If you have a receiver, I think the best idea is HDMI to your TV and Optical from TV to Receiver.