Microsoft Defends the 120GB HD's Price

[Mwynn]

Maybe the new Xbox 360 Elite SKU doesn't appeal to you, but most gamers, whether they're into HD gaming or not, have been clamoring for a larger hard drive. Whereas PlayStation 3 owners can simply pick up any 2.5 inch SATA and rock a larger drive, Microsoft hasn't given gamers this option on Xbox 360, and picking up the new, 120GB hard drive will cost a whopping $179.99 -- not exactly cheap.

Microsoft group product manager Aaron Greenberg hopped onto the Game Theory podcast (as picked up on by Next Generation) this week, where he defended the substantial price. "We know it is expensive and we have definitely heard that feedback but it is a little apples and oranges to compare it to internal PC hard drives because those are off the shelf drives that you have to install yourself. There is a lot of work there for your average consumer it is not a plug in and play experience for them," he said.

Upgrading a PS3 doesn't seem to have been a painful experience for consumers, however, but Greenberg claims there's more to it on Microsoft's side, and the price they're offering is actually comparable to "a 120 gig self-powered external PC drive and in that case we are seeing those retail at anywhere from $160 to $200 for comparable laptop sized external hard drives."

Can someone, then, explain how Newegg.com is offering a 500GB external, USB-powered hard drive for $154.99? Even a tiny, black (just like the Elite, ironically) Western Digital 120GB external, USB-powered hard drive is only $94.99.

He claims there's justification, though. "When we buy from suppliers we require a lot more spec reports and tests because that drive has to be able to perform at specific speeds all the time in order to support our environment and our gameplay experiences. Those are not the same specs that they are able to deliver to with off-the-shelf drives," he says.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3158485

[Mr.Musgrave]

Wait, wait, wait. Did that guy seriously just say that it costs so much more because Microsoft (MICROSOFT) demands MORE quality tests and reports?

Who the fuck does this guy think he's fooling?

[Nitecrawlah2]

I plan on shoehorning a fatter HD sometime in the future instead of purchasing this drive at 180 bucks. I understand the speed concern of other drives, but I don't need one bad enough that I'll be purchasing this first run anyways.

[HaphazardJoy]

I got a 200gb hard drive for my computer for like $90, and that was like a year and a half ago... admitedly a good deal, but with the hardware set-up of the 360, why should it cost that much more?

[GIGAFATTIMON]

HDDs need to be all special like, but any old jet engine sounding DVD drive will do, because they are clearly less important the operation of a games console.

I hope these Game Theory people chewed him a new one, but I doubt it.

[Mwynn]

I got a 200gb hard drive for my computer for like $90, and that was like a year and a half ago... admitedly a good deal, but with the hardware set-up of the 360, why should it cost that much more?
Because they want to make it hack proof. They do not want you putting anything on there, they have no control over.

[Calloway]

what's the rpm on the drive? I know a 15,000 rpm 70 gig drive went for 200 a year ago.

[GIGAFATTIMON]

5400 - 5400.3 like the majority of laptop drives

I think you may have made a mistake about that 70GB drive. 15000 speed drives are very expensive a 74GB goes for about $300 today

[Spacious Interior]

I think I'm done with the whole Elite thing. As pumped as I was over HDMi for video, Not being able to have 5.1 surround just kinda killed it for me completely. Hard Drive be damned. I have plenty of space on the one I have now.

[Mwynn]

Wait a bit longer, I am sure the version with the smaller processor is coming.

[GIGAFATTIMON]

Everybody wait until the 3rd xbox comes out to buy their 360, that way you're guaranteed the best possible iteration.

You have to jump in sometime

But then I'm not one to advise, I've been wanting that 1080p TV for a while now, but there's always something around the corner to stop me. 100Hz refresh rate is the current stumbling block.

[Calloway]

5400 - 5400.3 like the majority of laptop drives

I think you may have made a mistake about that 70GB drive. 15000 speed drives are very expensive a 74GB goes for about $300 today

5400? where's that spec at? seems ridiculus.

[Calloway]

I think I'm done with the whole Elite thing. As pumped as I was over HDMi for video, Not being able to have 5.1 surround just kinda killed it for me completely. Hard Drive be damned. I have plenty of space on the one I have now.


It is ALOT quieter. The smaller processor (physically smaller) took care of a few issues too. It's actually more efficient too.

[Biofungus]

Keep in mind, most kids do NOT have surround sound home theatre systems in their rooms. An hdmi connection on the Elite, and a plasma TV are very efficient for a kids or teens room.

[Calloway]

hell I don't even have a hi def tv. I'd make a movie before buying one...better things to spend the money on if I had the money.

[Biofungus]

That's because (presumably) you're not a kid or teen living under your parents dollar.

[JamieRoberts]

You wouldn't believe how ridiculous all this shit sounds to a non-gamer.

[Calloway]

Well, I do. I still just play an xbox. Not really a kid anymore and I don't really have dough to spend on stupid stuff like this. When I get games their a year later and 10 bucks. Although I was a really good halo player and addict, that was the extent of my fandom.

[Biofungus]

You wouldn't believe how ridiculous all this shit sounds to a non-gamer.
Hey, I don't even have my own *tv*, I've never owned a handheld/portable system, and my "newest" console was a Sega Saturn, and I still keep up on these things man! You have no excuse! :p

[Calloway]

I bet you have owned a portable system...what say I make a liar outta you? :)

[Biofungus]

The only thing I ever had, in the early 80's, was:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y9/Biofungus/Coleco80_08.jpg

But that's not a "system". It was a single game. And I think I probably used it maybe three times, because I hated football :laugh:

[Calloway]

It's kinda a system and that was exactly what I was going to say. The LED footbal game everyone had in the late 70s early 80s.

No table top donkey kong?

[Biofungus]

My sister had the tabletop games. Donkey Kong, Frogger, Galaxian, et al.

[usp78]

football! I had the one player version. Man that game sure did suck. :p

[Calloway]

bleep bleep bleep haha...even though mark hated it he wore a football helmut to play it :)

[Biofungus]

When I was a kid, I had a football helmet, and a motorcycle helmet.

Ahh, the joys of garage sales :)

And for the record, when I was a kid, I neither played football, nor rode a motorcycle :p

[Calloway]

I had a space man helmet :(

[Spacious Interior]

I had a hockey helmet, but I only wore it to school.

[Nitecrawlah2]

bleep bleep bleep haha...even though mark hated it he wore a football helmut to play it :)
http://www.eyedealpostcards.com/images/ActorKidStockwellBoxer5909.jpg

[Biofungus]

http://www.eyedealpostcards.com/images/ActorKidStockwellBoxer5909.jpg
How the hell did you know I used to be Dean Stockwell?!

[HaphazardJoy]

...And here Dell just announced the release of a 1TB hard drive option on their AlienWare systems for $500. A fucking Terabyte people.

[Biofungus]

Guh? Dell and Alienware are two seperate companies?

[Mwynn]

Guh? Dell and Alienware are two seperate companies?
Alienware is a subsidiary of Dell.

[Biofungus]

Hmmm. I never knew that.

[Mwynn]

Hewlett-Packard owns Compaq.
Gateway owns Emachines.

[Biofungus]

I knew about those.

[Nitecrawlah2]

Gateway owns Emachines.
:laugh:

Man they suck.