The Official Zephyr / Elite (Xbox 360 Version 2) Thread

Please refrain from posting your own thread about the much rumored and discussed Zephyr / Elite for the time being. The issue is that everyone wants to make a thread about the new system and rather than a forum for talking about all sorts of things involving the 360 the whole forum just becomes about the Zephyr. Thanks for your understanding.

Links to news articles about the Zephyr / Elite or whatever you want to call it:
Gamespot
Kotaku

Quck Stats (some confirmed, some not confirmed):

Word has it that the new system will have a 120GB hard drive and an HDMI video port, and will come in black (oooooh).

Rumored price, $479 (with HDMI cable).

Existing 360 owners will have the option to buy the 120GB hard drive for "under $200."

Let the discussion begin.

I really don't get it. If Microsoft really have created this "Zephyr" then why is it such a big secret? Why release a $400+ system and not say anything?AirGuitarist87

Im really annoyed with microsoft right now...I was the first one at the store i got it from aside from the employees. Now they go and release this one which wont heat up as much has a bigger HDD and the HD DVD? Thats ridiculous it just shows they rushed this to try and get aead of competition...ArmoredAshes

This one does not have HD-DVD.  But also, did you really think Microsoft would of thought the 360 would of had so much heating problems?  That is probably the main reason they considered making a new one so they don't have to repair so many 360's. 

I could of sworn That I released a few tidbits of information on the Elite. Why do you get an 'official' thread, if you don't even have alot of info? Oh, If I was a mod...Pakaru

I wouldn't mind the black controller to be sold seperately like the HDD(i definitely will be following up on that!)

to a person that requires low power glasses and sees clearly is what i caompare HD.  the regular tv is the person without glasses, can see well feels good about his vision dosnt care about 20-20 great game experience.  To the HD tvs, the person put his glasses on and can see 20-20 vision, its a lot clearer he can see well but the game experience is the same. So the difference is clearer. you can also compare HD to normal like the playstation 2 and the xbox 1 which is stretching it a lot.

to a person that requires low power glasses and sees clearly is what i caompare HD.  the regular tv is the person without glasses, can see well feels good about his vision dosnt care about 20-20 great game experience.  To the HD tvs, the person put his glasses on and can see 20-20 vision, its a lot clearer he can see well but the game experience is the same. So the difference is clearer. you can also compare HD to normal like the playstation 2 and the xbox 1 which is stretching it a lot.

Kill-U

To me, I canb see the difference. Without my glasses the 1080p tv looks the same as 480p on an EDTv. With my glasses on though, I can see the huge difference. It is like putting those glasses on. =)

Copy and paste this, if you want:

(the images above is of the original 360 dev kit, and from the GI article)

Alright, Ever since the PS3's release, people have been talking about the possiblity of a new version of the 360. Using several of my highly credited sources, including a member of Microsoft's PR team, I will tell you all I know so far.

Items with this symbol: (?) mean it is just a projection/suspected [meaning that microsoft would like to try and squeeze it in]

[x] = confirmed

Name: Xbox 360 ELITE/Black (Elite is more likely)

Release Date: Sometime Mid-April-Early May[x]

Price: $150 dollars cheaper than the high-end PS3; Around $480 USD[x]

Specs:

- Features all updated equipment from the 360 Platinum version(x)

-Full HDMI support[x]

-120GB hard drive[x]

-Jet Black in color[x]

-Chrome finish[x]

-Black 360 wireless controller[x]

-Quieter, More Efficient Cooling Fan[x]

-Wireless black Headset(?)

-Built in Wireless Adapter(?)

-The Elite will be limited quantities only; that may be as much or as little as a couple hundred thousand.

-The case, controller, and Live headset will all be black. It will have all new packaging.

-Elite will be a 3rd SKU; it will be sold alongside Premium and Core packs.

-Eventually Elite hardware (in white plastics) will take the role of the Xbox Premium. That is to say, after the Elite is launched and sold out, future Xbox Premiums will have 120GB / HDMI.

-It is unknown when 120GB / HDMI will become the standard for Premium, but it is loosely estimated to be late summer or fall.

-Elite models run cooler and quieter than normal 360s, but they are not yet confirmed to have 65nm chips.

-Prices may remain the same with the 120GB / HDMI hardware upgrade in the Premium Xbox, but we may still see a price cut on the line when 65nm chips start shipping.

-The HD DVD drive will not be internal or bundled -- Microsoft never did or nor does not currently have plans to put an HD DVD drive in the 360.

Don't trust me? Read up on this Here,SEVERAL DAYS *AFTER* I made this thread:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=25459393

For those with the older versions of Xbox, The core will disappear, the Premium will become cheaper and a larger hard drive will be made available later this year for less than $200 USD

Now, Some of this stuff was pretty much suspected, but I can near promise everyone that this system will be out in Late April, Mid-May. Still, my information sources don't fully know all the aspects, so I shall keep this updated as I gather information.

Also, Halo 3's X button is a sprint, and the shield is just a special type of grenade. =)

More info will come out as I hear it.

I was not angered at hearing about the release of a new black 360 with bigger hard drive.  Instead, I got the idea to disassemble my 360 and spray it black myself using a vinyl paint.  It looks damn good for a self done paint job.  As for the bigger HD though, I will just have to wait and pick one up in the store.

I am so angry right now! Why you ask? Well I have gone through two defective 360s (they had hardware failures and was not user error), right now my "new" replacement unit is just a refurb that came with scratches and has a different and very noticeable light shade of grey on the plastic vent pieces on the top and bottom of the case instead of the usual dark and metalic grey on the hardrive, and not to mention it is extremely loud (louder than my two previous ones). I wanted HDMI and a bigger hardrive and if it was available before I bought my premium version I would have bought the elite. Now even if I do buy the elite version I have to somehow get rid of my old one and if I want to make my accessories match (which I do because I am picky that way) I have to buy a new wi-fi connector, wireless headset, extra controller and Xbox live vision camera. I am also enraged about the price point because you get a much better console with more features for only $80 more than the premium and if you want just the hardrive you will have to pay over $150 and you still wont have HDMI. Bottom line is that I hope they do not release this because it will make many more like myself very very angry.ChevelleFan

Anybody seen this picture yet ? Looks real to me.

Anybody seen this picture yet ? Looks real to me.

nivet14

thats not it, thats that one xbox 360 only game devolpers use, but it is not the Elite

I'm not all that stoked about the new hard drive...but I've heard that the new 360 runs quieter.

now that's an upgrade I'd be interested in.  I guess i'll buy the new one if I can get a decent deal on selling the old one ($300-$350).  But i'm guessing the market, namely ebay, will be flooded soon with people trying to sell their old 360's hoping for an upgrade.

the real winners here are the late adopters who will have the choice of either buying the new, upgraded system...or buying the old one from someone who wants to upgrade at a deep discount.

lucky youz. :D 

To me its useless. I'll buy the new HDD when its available, 20 gig is not enough when d/l from xbox Live + with music and games.

But something which is quieter I can live without, I usually have the sound up when I play so I don't notice. I think the least Microsoft can do is release a cooling system for existing models (Official cooling system). Not everyone has the money to fork out for material things. Colour of the console does not affect my gaming.

I won't be purchasing one, unless I see proof (When & If) it comes out, and that's only if mine breaks in the mean-time. 

I don't know how many of you caught the AOTS segment with Morgan last night.  They had been building it up for 2 days that they were going to talk about the Zephyr, but it turned out to be a total BS segment.  They said next to nothing and then wrote it off as an April Fools joke since it was the April issue of GI. 

  I hope the thing is real, I will be first in line for one at my local shop.  I already have my current premium sold to my nephew if the Zephyr becomes a reality.  I could really use the larger HDD, HDMI would be nice, but the cooling and noise reduction are big things for me too.  For 80 bucks over the current unit, it's perfect.