Microsoft prepping Xbox 360 Slim?
By
Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor
Leaked photos purportedly show a significantly downsized motherboard for next hardware revision, as well as a CPU/GPU combo chip.
Source: Pictures posted on a Chinese message board A9VG, as pointed out by Kotaku.
What we heard: Last August, Sony announced the PS3 Slim, a smaller, cheaper redesign of the PlayStation 3 system it launched less than three years earlier. The impact was immediate, as the Slim, which also received a $100 price cut, sold more than a million systems in less than three weeks.
Now it appears that Microsoft could be following Sony's lead with a redesign of the Xbox 360. Users on A9VG posted two images of what appears to be a redesigned Xbox 360 motherboard. One image shows the entire motherboard, which is more compact and closer to a square than the system's current configuration. A second image on the thread shows what's underneath the giant fan in the original picture: a single chip that is supposed to combine the functions of the Xbox 360's CPU and GPU.
While the Xbox 360 hardware has undergone several revisions since its November 2005 launch, those changes have been mostly internal and invisible to the average consumer (added HDMI port aside). Given the significantly different shape, size, and screw locations of this 360 motherboard, the system casing would need to be revised and almost certainly would undergo a change in outward appearance.
It's also worth noting that this motherboard appears to lack the current Xbox 360's specialized hard-drive port, but includes an extra SATA interface port. That has led to speculation that Microsoft will be making the system's hard drive an internal component, and possibly inaccessible to users.
This wouldn't be the first time a hardware redesign was leaked out from overseas. Last May, a Chinese hardware blog leaked pictures of the PS3 Slim, which were all-but-confirmed when media outlets started receiving notices from a Taiwanese law firm demanding the photos be taken down.
The official story: "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."--A Microsoft representative.
Bogus or not bogus?: Leaning not bogus. It's about time for a shake-up to the Xbox 360. Sony reinvigorated the PS3 with the introduction of a Slim model less than three years after the original hardware launched. The Xbox 360 is well over four years old, having already passed the age where Microsoft ceased production on the original Xbox. A revamped look for the system might help ease concerns of consumers who remember the Red Ring of Death issues. While Microsoft's internal revisions to the hardware have made the systems more reliable, the company hasn't heavily advertised those changes.
If this console generation is going to last, Microsoft would be well served by trying to freshen up the Xbox 360. Part of that will come from the upcoming launch of Project Natal, but a sleek new look for the system could help to keep consumers thinking of the Xbox 360 as cutting-edge technology, even as the platform passes its fifth birthday.
Even if the photos are legit, that board could undergo numerous changes before being finalized. However, a redesigned Xbox 360 makes plenty of sense, and leaks of this sort have become fairly common.
By
Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor
Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.
925 comments
GS - you are linking this from the E3 page? You still don't know if these pictures are legit. Lazy bums.
@ drapion12 How does the Xbox 360 not need to be improved? It has a failure rate of 100% as far as I'm concerned. (those that don't red ring just haven't been played enough)
i hope its not gunna end up like the nintend power glove: a fail of an attempt to improve something that needs no improving.
i hope the hard drive is kept external...that is one of the reasons i prefer the xbox in the first place.
It does look crappy, like a PS3 slim... but them again why bother with it? wasn't the orignal one fine?
Its will be extremely Good If they change the CPU To 4core cpu with 45nm chip its will never get heated again... and actually i need this change to be meaning full like this!!! not just to change the outer design!!!
The Natal has appeal to me, but as a "hardcore" game, I certainly don't represent the general public. I expect the Wii to continue its dominance in the current video game generation for two reasons: 1) it has already established itself as the non-traditional gaming console; and 2) it will have a huge price advantage (1 Natal = 1 Wii console, 1 Wii remote, 1 Wii nunchuk, 1 Wii MotionPlus, 1 Wii Sports and 1 Wii Sports Resort).
Hmm... this could possibly be a Prototype Mobo for the next Xbox. This motherboard has undergone such a Significant redisign that It looks like it may Utilise GPGPU Technology. If so then current Xbox 360 Games will have to be either heavily patched or more likely will not work at all. Oh well either way Microsoft attempting to improve stuff cant be a bad thing.
but an inaccessable harddrive? that would be fine with me, as long as they also have a removable one for bringing to, say, a friends house.
i hope this new motherboard will stand enough to face the heat or RROD will happen again .
Xbox 360 Slim is a good idea, look at what the Slim has done for Sony. It has spurred sales like crazy. It's gonna happen..in my mind it sends the 360 full steam ahead with adding freshness to it. This will garner Microsoft an immense amount of sales even from current 360 owners like myself.
I still dont think it will encourage me to buy at 360. The system is dated already, as gamespot said. It would be worth it to just wait for the next-gen piece to emerge.
I'd like a slim.... I really need to upgrade from my Premium and I'd prefer it to be a "brand new" model than the aging Elite. (Also I prefer White to Black)
@drknessfeeds yah but i just really hate those people that say ps3 sucks there noobs they steal and stuff like that like my friends have 360s and they say that ps3 has noobs
In the 4 1/2 years of the 360's life it has gone through two significant revisions. The original Xenon had a CPU/GPU of 90nm/90nm and a 203W PSU. Then came Zephyr; same as Xenon except with an HDMI port. Then came the Falcon w/ a CPU/GPU of 65nm/90nm and a 175W PSU. The latest revision; Jasper (released early September 2008 ) has a CPU/GPU of 65nm/65nm and a 150W PSU: Not too shabby, but... It's 2010, technology has advanced; 45nm CPU's are now the norm (PS3 slim has a CPU/GPU of 45nm/65nm). 32nm is even starting to emerge (Core i3, Dual Core i5). Another 360 revision is imminent. The 360 uses an ATI derived GPU. ATI's next family of GPU's, "Northen Islands" will be 32nm, or possibly 28nm. ATI's latest family, "Evergreen" (released 6 months ago) run very cool and efficiently (using 40nm). It may be such that the new CPU/GPU combo will incorporate some variation of this new tech further reducing or even eliminating the RROD completely. Of course performance will remain the same. Personally, I don't care if it comes in a smaller package, but M$ is pushing Natal as the next big thing. And seeing how well PS3 Slim sales did, marketing probably sees a new sleeker-looking system as a good way to put an even bigger spotlight on Natal; helping drive sales of both it and the 360 in general. Lastly (and quite obviously) a 360 "slim" won't cost more than current models. If anything, it'll get a price-cut, again, to help drive sales.
just what we needed another slim version of whats already a good console probly a shiny shiny gimmick thrown in i agree on the overheating comcept, but will it be wider and longer to be slimmer like the ps3?
the slim models are always over heating alot of my friends complain about the heat after 4 hours of gameplay so xbox slim is abad idea .
well i luv my 360 and i would really like to see the way this slim is gonna go coz i mite just get it. but only if it comes out in bundle with natal and i wanna see wat microsoft is got to say about all this coz i dnt see the point in so much speculation and dissing the new system if we dnt have full details on the specs or the desing the components and the various things but, if they are going to make they betta make a massive improvement and god i hope this internal hard drive is bull coz i dished out 100 pounds for my 120g then the 250 comes out :( go miccrosoft make me proud and come out and say somethin about all this to stop fanboyism
Krazyskitzy "How about rolling out the "Xbox 360 Reliable" first???" LMFAO!!! Yeah, hopefully it's not another beta that gets released as a finished product like they did with the original Plsfixme.
on a side note I could care less about these three console developers, as a consumer I just want results dammit!!!!!!!
YES YES, take ideas from each other nintindo microsoft and sony, put all those ideas together and make something AWESOME!!!!! I think thats a great idea
You know I know Nintendo is on top of the sales, but I wonder how they feel about backing out of the deal they made with Sony to make a disc based system. This was back during the Nintendo 64 days, so the playstatiom was born.
@JtAgentX Agreed, also an internal harddrive not accesible to the user?? Hell no. @moe725 Yea seems that the companies takes ideas from each other, competition is good as long as what they make refines what is already there. Benefits the gamers mostly.
Xbox 360 slim?? so less air can escape and cause more E74 errors and RROD? I know it's fixed. But I REFUSE to choke up 300 dollars for a new Xbox i have never done that before ever since I was gaming.
poople say well people i know say ps3 stole ideas for MS but really a slim that for sony reallyy.
Sony has ps3, psp, ps2. and MFST only has the xbox 360. come on MSFT. and my Votech teacher told me MFST tried to do the apple ipad but couldnt do it. and im starting to think, MFST is dumb as poop. WTF MFST
Sheeesh, the RROD is almost non-existent on the newer XBox 360. Any 360 made after Sept 09 has about a 5% chance of getting the RROD. About the same chances as the PS3 getting the DRE and HDD failure errors. You people need to come back to the present. **************************************************************** Boblehead2008 if this slim is true then i want wifi in it i hate having to pay for a having a 100$ adapter anyone else agree ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Wifi Adapters are like $65 now and you can get them on EBay for like $50 or less. I do agree that they should include it in the 360 Slim though. the Wii and PS3 have it already built it. No reason the 360 shouldn't. I know M$ wanted to make some money off of it, but it's time for a change. I have a feeling they won't include it because they just released 2 new N Network models for the 360. One cost $75 and the dual antenna cost $99. If they put the Wifi in the 360 Slim, it will undercut sales of the new adapters.
Man... with all the comentaries ive read, i think the xbox 360 slim will be a total disaster so, WORK ON IT MICROSOFT!! MAKE THE BEST CONSOLE EVER MADE, you are losing reputation with this, THINK ABOUT IT
oh and also PLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAASEEEEEE FIX THE E74 ERROR, PLEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAASSSSSSSEEEEEEE !!!!! thats all
What would be good if Microsoft replaced any RROD people's old machines with the new 360 slim. Hopefully with newer better technology the slim wouldn't RROD.
honestly, instead of some stupid slim redesign, focus on the 360, i just got mine in october, i'm not ready for a new model, i don't even have 20 games for it! also, the disc scratching and RRoD is way more annoying then the system's beastly size.
Wat. First Sony copies the Wii and now the 360 is copying the PS3? What has the gaming industry come to?
Why not? Every other console seems to go through this phase later in it's life. Not that I'll buy one as I am very happy with my current 360 "phat" :P , but it might be nice to own in the next gen or two to make room on my shelves for all the consoles!
actually i had a 1 red ring happen to my late 07 unit which was repaired in 08 , so ya um , theres still e74s disc read problems in all 360s are bound to happen and if you think rrod is history now if it is true this slim model may be like the ps2 slim , remember the recall of the original models , they were overheating , blowing fuses etc -ive had mine blow out 3 times, since owning a slim ps2 never had a fat blow out or over heat smaller the more chances of it overheating thus giving us this rrod problem
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