Xbox

Buy an Xbox 360

The second edition of the Xbox game console went on sale November 22, 2005.  The Xbox is meant to be a multimedia hub, as it can perform all of the following featues:

• Plays Music CDs
• Plays DVD Movies
  
• Multiplayer Gaming - as the original model, it can connect to the Internet for multiplayer gaming
• Plays music / videos / and photos - from its own hard disk or from the hard disk of another computer over a network, or stream music from an Apple iPod plugged into one of its ports.

Attaching an iPod shows songs and play lists within menus as if they were stored on the Xbox.  Plugging in a USB flash drive with photos displays them quickly on the TV.

There are two versions of this new multimedia machine:

• Xbox 360 Core System : $300 (estimated)
  

• Xbox 360  : $400 (estimated)
  

The Xbox 360 core system cannot play older games designed for the original Xbox.  Only the "Xbox" model can do so, because it includes the hard disk that is needed to hold the software that allows older games to run on the new design.  For backwards compatibility with older Xbox games, you will need to dish out the $400 for the "Xbox 360", which is more than double the recent price for an original Xbox or the rival Sony PlayStation 2.

Xbox vs. PlayStation

Sony's PlayStation 2 beat the Xbox to market by 20 months, resulting in a 69% market share.  This time around, the Xbox 360 came out first.  Because its PlayStation 2 was much less powerful than the original Xbox, Sony has greatly increased the capabilities of its forthcoming PlayStation 3.  Microsoft needed to offer a similarly compelling platform even though it was coming to market six months sooner.  Microsoft also has to provide a good reason for gamers to prefer a specialized console over using a computer.  Providing connections to the latest televisions and specialized controllers, along with unique technical capabilities, provide a gaming experience that many view as being superior to that provided by PCs.  Microsoft has benefited from its competitors' establishment of the video gaming market and the growing acceptance of video gaming as a leisure activity worldwide.

For a good comparison, Google the keywords "game console comparison".

Setting It Up Easy

Setting up the new Xbox is relatively simple.  Three plugs hook into its rear panel: the power cord, AV cord and Ethernet networking cable.  For what it's worth, it has a gigantic AC adapter.  Plugging in a small Microsoft Wireless Network Adapter into the back port will display in moments a glowing green light to indicate that the Xbox 360 has automatically detected your wireless network and is capable of working online.

Xbox Games

Starting a collection of Xbox 360 games will run you $50 to $60 for the newest games.  To play online, you need an Xbox Live account.  A Silver account comes free with the most expensive console, but this only allows users to interact online with audio and voice messages, NOT to actually play games with others online.  A so-called Gold account, which includes the Silver features as well as online game tournaments, can cost as much as $50 annually.

Note that the graphics are hands down better than the older Xbox and Sony consoles.  Fight scenes are more graphic and enemies are more intelligent in Quake 4.  As you crash a car into barriers in Project Gotham Racing 3, crowds of animated onlookers shrink back in fear.

Xbox 360 Video Games on eBay

Other Consoles To Be Released...

Keep in mind that Microsoft's rivals, Sony and Nintendo, have new game consoles brewing which you may want to compare with the new Xbox before spending your hard earned money.  But, if you need a console now and can afford the best, this is it.