Some probably stupid questions about the 360

[sirhansirhan]

Between Beautiful Katamari already being out and Culdcept Saga being out next week, I'm giving serious thought to buying a 360. But I don't know a lot about them, so I have some stupid questions I'd like answered:

1) Am I better off buying a new console or a used one? I was clued into the fact that Microsoft covers them against the Red Ring of Death from three years past the date by the serial number, so if I buy a used one, I know to check the date first. But is it worth it to save $50 +/- dollars? Are the new ones more likely to function properly in the first place?

2) Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy it? I was leaning toward Amazon if I buy a new one (no tax, free shipping) and Game Crazy for a used one (the twelve free rentals tips them over other places that sell used). Are there any good deals out there that I don't know about? (And, for what it's worth, I've been researching this stuff lately, and I haven't had the problems listed in that other thread about how everyone seems to be out of stock on them--I have a pretty good selection where I live.)

3) I want to download Catan, but aside from that, I don't see myself either downloading very many games (if any at all aside from that one) or really even buying that many games. Do you still think I need the hard drive, or would the Arcade model be enough? Do I need the hard drive for Catan alone? I'm not accustomed to downloading games.

That's the bulk of my questions, but if you have more advice, feel free to chime in.

[josekortez]

I'm not a 360 expert but with all the red ring of death talk, I would get a new one. I think that people unload non-working systems at videogame stores. If I were trying to get one, I'd probably go with the Elite or the Arcade bundle.

[dylan0228]

Buy an Elite! It has all the new hardware. I bought a core unit originally on the release date & it still works fine, but I would buy an Elite to be safe. It comes with all the bells & whistles too! I`d also agree with buying a new one, without a doubt!

[Poofta!]

1) buy new. the new hardware has the update chips inside that are a lot less likely to overheat and cause RRoDs. the 360 is a gentle piece of hardware and its always better to have a new one other than a used from an unkown owner.

2) go the amazon route, free shipping and no tax beats out all.

3) id recommend either the pro or halo3 LE (if you can find it). since you wont be downloading too much, you really dont need the 120gb HD, and both pro and halo3 models have hdmi and the new hardware inside anyway so youre set. go elite only if you just omg have to have it in black. id say you definately should get a HD, dont even consider it, the benefits are overpowering (demos, downloadable content, expansions, trailers, etc etc).

aside from catan, carcosonne is another excellent game to buy and play. anyway, enjoy and hope you buy more than just katamari and culdcept sage ;)

[s1lence]

Not all the Elites are the updated 360's. Look for the 175 power supply through the window on the box. You can see the number for it. That's the one with the newest hardware. I would by the Premium model, not the arcade if you have any intention on buying any XBLA games.

[Cantaloup]

1. Buy new. Although they cover the RROD for 3 years, there are other ways for the console to break. Mine simply stopped displaying video. You'll be glad for the 1 year coverage.

2. I don't know of any specific Xbox 360 deals right now.

3. Get the hard drive. Aside from the convenience, it enables features you wouldn't otherwise be able to use, such as downloading game demos. Also XBLA might surprise you with the amount of good stuff out there, and who knows what will be coming out in the future.

[icbrkr]

Coming from someone who had one die..

1. Buy a new one. The 3 years is for the *first* time it RRoDs. Continued death repairs are good for 90 days or the end of the original warranty (which is 1 year). I found this out the hard way. I would *highly* suggest you either buy the extended warranty or find a place that sells them. Agreed on the Elite model - you have a better chance of getting the newer model with less issues. The 170W in the window works but on some occasions you can find a 170W even though it says 230W (?) in the window... my Arcade model was like this.

2. I'd buy from anywhere that's cheap that has a good extended warranty/return plan.

3. Even if you get a model with a hard drive, spend the few bucks and buy a memory card anyway. Hard drives, like all moving parts, will eventually die. My friend had a launch 360 and had over 2 years worth of saves on there and .. guess what? Dead drive. No more saves. I couldn't even imagine having to play through hours of games to get back to the point I was at.

[vultar]

I got mine from Best Buy. I can't remember how much the PRP is on the thing, I don't think it was more than $50, but if there's a problem they just give you a new one from the store. If it dies and it's still under Microsoft's warrenty the PRP doesn't expire so you're still protected. If the 360 is out of warrenty and you need to trade it in under the PRP, I'm pretty certain that you just buy another PRP. (At least that's the way their PSP and my stupid laptop worked.)

Also if there's been a price change between when you bought it and it breaks they'll give you gift cards to make up the difference.

Of course the big cookie is you don't have to worry about dealing with a refurbished junk 360. It also sounded like they'd exchange the hard drives between the new and old systems if you wanted. I didn't have them do that, since all the error codes I was getting before I gave them the first one back seemed to have something to do with hard drive errors.

[Gamereviewgod]

3) I want to download Catan, but aside from that, I don't see myself either downloading very many games (if any at all aside from that one) or really even buying that many games. Do you still think I need the hard drive, or would the Arcade model be enough? Do I need the hard drive for Catan alone? I'm not accustomed to downloading games.
.

You will. You may not realize it, but it's not just the Arcade stuff you need the hard drive for. Demos pop up all the time, game trailers, movies, and there are plenty of Arcade games you're going to want. Trust me. Just get the hard drive and you won't have to pay for it seperately.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Correct me if I'm wrong but... don't you also need the HD for backward compatibility?

[Poofta!]

youre right about the BC-HD thing, but the thing is, BC sucks so bad it aint worth it.

[RyanMurf]

Ok here is the break down. With out a doubt get a new 360. But when I mean new I mean get one with a manufacture date from Nov. of 07 and On. From this date and on it will have a new chip set. Do not go by the power supply range like someone said only get one with a 175W power supply. This is not true all the time. I bought mine which is an arcade with a 203W power supply and it does indeed have the 65Nm in there. So as long as it has that manufacture date on it then your good. Don't judge by the power supply because there are more new version systems out there with the 203 than the 175 so don't be fooled.

[sirhansirhan]

I appreciate all of the replies, everyone. I have one more question (for now):

Amazon still has the bundle pack with Forza and Marvel Ultimate Alliance in stock. Isn't that bundle old? I know over at CAG people were ferreting them out since they are apparently off the market now, but should they be avoided due to probably having older hardware? For what it's worth, I don't want either of those games, but could trade them in towards a copy of Beautiful Katamari.

[PapaStu]

Those are 'older' systems. If your buying one, get a NEW NEW one.

[RyanMurf]

Those are 'older' systems. If your buying one, get a NEW NEW one.

Also not true. This was the biggest tip that will let you know if it has the new hardware. These are good as of revised hardware.

[Slate]

Also not true. This was the biggest tip that will let you know if it has the new hardware. These are good as of revised hardware.

But some stores that got older systems would just put the two games in and slap the sticker on saying that they were included, So you Could get an older one that way. If the box says "Go play" (Arcade) "Go pro" (Pro) or "Go big" (Elite) It should have a newer system inside.

OK, now replying to the OP:

Yes you need a hard drive and you will want to buy it new. If you have any friends with 360s and xbox live ask to check out all the features online because there are lots.

As for where to buy it, You should ask that at www.cheapassgamer.com.

Also you may not want it but I highly reccomend the 120 Gigabyte hard drive. It all depends on how much you are going to download from Xbox live. I personally downloaded over 50 demos and over 100 XBLA trial games... And I ripped over 60 CDs!

[josekortez]

BTW, the Forza 2/Marvel: Ultimate Alliance two-pack is starting to show up used at Gamestop if you just want the game. I found one for $17.99 today after I used the Edge card; the discs had probably only been used once.