Microsoft Xbox 360 – 250 GB – Quiet and Beautiful

Do not call Xbox Slim, also because in the end it is slim. And the new Xbox 360 with 250 GB hard drive, as Microsoft calls it a new model that radically changes the look of the console in Redmond, and that paves the way for future models. A relatively simple test, partly because the interface and the logic of the Xbox 360 does not change, to change is primarily the design and the constructive aspect.

Microsoft Xbox 360 – Introduction

The new Xbox is more compact than the previous one, but not by much, and instead of opaque white finish will have a high-gloss glossy black plastic forever. The new finish but it is quite delicate. Fortunately the console will not be touched much, except for the tray eject button, but for freedom of the press report a tendency filling up with sticky fingers, a little as the new-generation TV.

To delineate the edges, there is a chrome edging that enhances the line, in addition to a series of openings for dissipation of heat is placed on the side in correspondence of the heat sink of the CPU is above the console. Microsoft has also revised the buttons: the power button as in a previous console was to pressure now is touch, and the same goes for the eject button on the disc loading that is no longer on the drive, but it is inserted just to the side, and it is also in touch. Overall, the new Xbox and very beautiful to look at, and the lines a bit boxy than black slimming to make it seem really compact and space-saving.

Connections

On the front, Microsoft has included two USB ports for two controllers or for flush keys, but the controller is supplied wireless type so you do not need a direct connection. On the back, we find instead the classical multipolar connection AV, HDMI output, optical output, three USB ports and an additional Aux port to connect directly called Kinect, the controller gestural output end of the year.

The power supply is external, as always, and the transformer is slightly smaller than the previous model. Worth noting that in the package inserts a Microsoft standard AV cable and an HDMI cable, a real shame because almost everyone uses the HDMI, and if you want to connect the console in HD, this cable must be purchased separately.

In addition to the supplied cable to the controller and the power supply, there are also the headphones to chat. The new Xbox then stands for the integrated hard disk of 250 GB and Wi-fi. The hard drive is removable, and is extracted by removing a plaque in the lower, pulling a tab. The new hard drive is much smaller than the previous one and is a Hitachi SATA 5400 rpm. Who goes from an old Xbox to a new Xbox to transfer the data downloaded from one console to another must have a cable, but the transfer can be done with simple USB sticks.

It is enough to move game saves, and data on small stick and then re-download purchased games on the new console and other data. The wifi is integrated instead: it is a module Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n with a great reception level. If you calculate that the Wi-Fi adapter for the old model, sold separately, cost less than $55 it soon becomes clear that the presence of the integrated wi-fi is a good thing.

Construction and Consumption

The new Xbox 360 is built well. The base is totally new, with the platform Valhalla realized to 45 nanometers that allows reduced power consumption and also a better heat dissipation, which results in less noise.

The new processor integrates CPU and GPU on the same chip with a single sink and a single large fan. The HDMI output, handled by the video card, then it should be 1.3, but we cannot be certain of this, and is there anyway to say that HDMI 1.3 is useless on this console.

The only constructive doubt concerns the pull-tab hard drives, maybe a little delicate: it must be said that with the ability to change data on USB is difficult for a move across the disc from one console to another.

After playing several hours with the new console we were particularly impressed by the low noise: in ” idle ” the console is very quiet, hardly feels. Even during power serves the beep to realize that the new Xbox is actually turned on. It must be said, that in the heat of these days in a room without air conditioning after a while the fan starts to turn, at which point the console will also hear a couple of meters away.

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Xbox 360 E 250GB Holiday Value Bundle [Xbox 360]

• Xbox 360 E console
• Xbox 360 250GB Hard Drive
• Two amazing games included for Free

$139.95

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