Okay, I've been planning on buying a 360 for a long time now. I was gonna get the Elite at launch, but got screwed out of some money. I was gonna buy a Core a month ago, but lost my job. Now that I have a new job, I hope to finally get a 360 within the next month or so. So, here are my options. Core, Pro, Elite, Halo 3.
Now, there will be some silly things involved (Color for example), but I'm weird like that (Thanks OCD!)
Anyway, here we go.
Xbox 360 Core:
Pros:
+Completely white (Matches Dreamcast)
+Wired controller (Use it on my computer)
+Standard A/V
+Accessories match the look
+Expand as I go
Cons:
-No HDMI Port
-Can't play my Xbox games immediately without HDD
Now, the reason for the Core is I already have a wireless controller my friend gave me, so I can just use that (Just need a play and charge kit), and use the wired controller on my computer. Standard A/V because I don't need Component, as I plan on getting a VGA cable when I get my HDTV (I know exactly which TV I want). And the complete white of the system matches my Dreamcast (My favorite system ever), and the accessories (Vision Cam, HD-DVD Drive, etc.).
I also plan on buying a 512 MB memory card with whichever 360 I get. I see those for around $30 or so used, so add $30 to the total of all of them.
Xbox 360 Premium:
Pros:
+HDMI Port
+Mostly white system matches my Dreamcast and accessories
+Backwards compatible out of the box.
Cons:
-Wireless Controller
-20GB HDD
-Component cables
-HDMI cable NOT included
The Premium is the one I most likely will not get. Yes, it comes with an HDMI port, but I still need to buy an HDMI cable. Microsoft doesn't make those separate yet do they? Besides, a good high quality HDMI cable is at least $60. I don't need component, as the TV I want I will use either HDMI, or VGA, and the extra wires hanging from my setup will bug me. I don't want the 20GB HDD either. It's either 120GB or nothing. I'm a complete media and demo whore (Just ask my friend and when I used this 360), so the 20GB is just not enough. As for the wireless controller, I don't want to use the wireless on my computer with the add-on, I want a corded controller for that.
Xbox 360 Elite:
Pros:
+Everything's Black
+120GB HDD
+HDMI
+HDMI cable included
+Backwards compatible out of the box
Cons:
-Wireless controller
-Everything's black. Accessories and Dreamcast don't match
-Shopping around, I could probably get a Core Elite for less
Now the Elite comes with everything I need. However, after doing my research and everything, I could go with the Core, and get the 120GB HDD, 512MB Memory Card (Not included), and Play & Charge kit (Not included), for about the same price. Though the HDMI is nice, as with my HDTV I want, it will leave the VGA port open for my Dreamcast.
Halo 3 360:
Pros:
+It will becomes a collector's item eventually. So might as well get one now before it gets high in price
+HDMI
+Play & Charge kit included
+The Orange look is pretty cool
+Backwards compatible out of the box
Cons:
-20 GB HDD
-HDMI cable not included
-Accessories don't match the color scheme
The deal with the Halo 3 360 is simple. The 120GB HDD won't match the look of the console itself when bought separate. But other than that, it's all good. Though again, the accessories won't match the look either.
Again, some silly, and probably pretty stupid reasons why trying to decide (Most notably the color matching and all), but I know of other people who are the same.
Honestly though, the big thing is the HDMI/VGA debate. Regardless of which console I get, I'll use either VGA (Core), or HDMI (Pro, Elite, Halo). The reason for going with HDMI is because then the VGA port on my HDTV will be free, so I use it with my Dreamcast. However, not all Dreamcast games support VGA, so I might as well just stick with S-Video for the Dreamcast.
Now, let's add it all up:
Xbox 360 Core:
Console ($280)
512 MB Memory Card ($30)
Play & Charge Kit ($20)
120GB HDD ($100 - $150)
Total: $430 - $480
Xbox 360 Premium:
Console ($350)
Sell HDD (-$20 as an estimate)
512 MB Memory Card ($30)
Play & Charge Kit ($20)
120GB HDD ($100 - $150)
Total: $480 - $530
Xbox 360 Elite:
Console ($450)
512 MB Memory Card ($30)
Play & Charge Kit ($20)
Total: $500
Halo 3 360:
Console ($400)
120GB HDD ($100 - $150)
512 MB Memory Card ($30)
Total: $530 - $550
What are all your opinions?