Review: Xbox 360 S Console

Since the days of the NES, consoles have been known to receive redesigns mid-way or later in their cycle. The NES, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, PSone, PS2 and the rival PS3 have all received smaller, redesigns in their cycles. Given how brief the original Xbox’s life-span was, most didn’t mind that the Xbox360 was a tad smaller than the original system. However, given Microsoft’s rush to deliver the console to the market, they company seemingly cut corners in terms of design (a much discussed topic for another place and another time) to get their next-gen machine that was ahead of its time on store shelves first.

Sony and Nintendo both delivered more technically stable systems, spending an extra year to work out most of their kinks. Since release many fans wondered if Microsoft would ever re-design the Xbox360. Technically they did make many internal revisions, as the system receive HDMI standard in mid-2007 as they introduced their Elite systems as well as several revisions to disc drives and motherboards over that span. Flash forward to E3 2010, Microsoft reveals one of their best-kept secrets, their newly designed, smaller, sleeker (albeit more angular), system simply called “Xbox 360 S Console” and it was very well worth the wait..

360, Wii and PS3

You’ve all probably seen the E3 coverage, but for those who don’t know, the new system is 17% smaller, the power supply is now 1/3 the size, it contains a new internal (albeit removable) HDD, built-in Wireless-N WiFi (the ethernet port is still present), HDMI, a built-in optical audio port, a whopping 5 USB ports (2 front, 3 rear), a direct Kinect port (older systems will need an adapter and Kinect will need to be plugged into a power outlet) as well as touch-sensitive face buttons (muck like those on the original PS3s). The system is only available (so far) in glossy black (with chrome trim) with the 250GB HDD, comes with one controller, batteries, a wired headset and AV cables.

Back of the New 360

Unlike Sony, Microsoft really hasn’t removed anything integral from this console. They have taken away the memory card ports (granted, who used them?), physical buttons for power and eject (the sync button is still a physical button, next to the two front USB ports), the IR receiver is still there, except now it doubles as the sync button. The system will also still play select Xbox Originals and all Xbox 360 games (which can still be installed). They have removed much of the noise from the old system, even while spinning a disc they system is no louder than the new PS3 and at times even quieter than the Wii. I’ve found that the only time the system could even be considered “loud” is during game installs, other than that it’s actually a tad quieter than my Slim PS3. The system has improved ventilation and While it does get a bit warm, it does not run as hot as my original 360 did. I have read from some other early adopters that their systems ran hot in vertical position, but did not in horizontal. I cannot confirm this yet as I keep my system horizontal (due to my entertainment center and fear of the cats knocking it over) , but it remains to be seen. Another hot topic on the net is of a video take at E3, which shows the system destroying a disc while being moved; keep in mind, the original Xbox 360 (see below) did this due to fact that it still uses an ejecting disc drive.

What moving the original 360 did to discs…
…Which the new one does too…

As for whether or not you should upgrade, it really comes down to warranty, console noise and value. For me, the new system was a great value as I was upgrading my wireless connection and hard drive space. My warranty was due to expire next month (my old 360 had E74’d last summer) and the system was rather loud and put out A LOT of heat. It made perfect sense for me to upgrade. As far as technical issues with the system are concerned, much will remain to be seen. If that is an issue for you, and your current 360 runs fine with a tolerable noise level, I would wait. If you’ve held out on getting a 360 this long, this is THE system to get and I personally give the new system my highest recommendation.