Thumbs Up:

Online Xbox Live Marketplace for purchasing add-on game content, TV shows, HD movies, mini-games; works as digital media hub and doubles Windows Media Extender; backward compatibility for Xbox 360 original; Xbox Live service for online multiplayer games and downloads of game contents; supports wireless controller and other accessories; revamped Dashboard interface; all games in HD; excellent variety of games.

Thumbs Down:

Need third-party wireless connectivity option; online gaming needs paid subscription of Xbox Live; substandard DVD player; limited and recessed three USB  ports; no onboard Wireless networking; massive external power supply; noise exhaust fan and DVD drive; cannot correct all irritations of original 360 version.

The Whiz Kid Speaks:

Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite is a game console that is compatible to Microsoft Windows XP Media Center. The Elite is powered with IBM PowerPC CPU that has three 3.2GHz cores. It has 512MB GDDR3 SD RAM, 12x DVD-ROM and 120GB hard drive.

The graphics card is ATI Xbox 360 (256-bit) 2D/3D graphics acceleration. The fill rate is 500 million triangles per second, whereas the dedicated graphics memory is 10MB. The maximum resolution supported is 1080×1920.

The sound output mode is 16-bit surround sound. The connector set includes 1 x HDMI, 1 x Ethernet ( RJ-45 ), 3 x USB 2.0, and 1 x AV cable port. For input there is external game pad with wireless connectivity.

Razzle Dazzle:

Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite is 3.27 inches tall, 12.15 inches wide and 10.15 inches deep. You can prop it in vertical position and purchase additional interchangeable faceplates to place it horizontally. The Elite is not glossy like PS3 and not cute like Nintendo Wii. On the contrary, the Xbox 360 Elite has black matte finish.

Inside Dope:

Microsoft Xbox 360 was the first next-generation game console launched in 2006. The company had tried to capture back the market from Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii. In September 2009, Microsoft has replaced Xbox 360 Elite with Microsoft Xbox Pro 60GB console, which we had reviewed earlier. Now, let us through a light on the Elite. You purchase the Xbox 360 Elite from Xbox website or any nearby store. It costs $300 and offers 120GB hard drive with HDMI connector.

Does Elite worth its $80 more cost than original Xbox 360? The answer is “No” for all original Xbox 360 users because they are getting the 120GB hard drive as an accessory for $180 only. Moreover, the Elite do not include Wi-Fi adapter as well as HD DVD drive inside the box and you have to purchase both of them additionally. Obviously, the Elite is a simple version of previous Xbox 360 model and does not have any groundbreaking feature like PS3.

The back panel of Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite consists of Ethernet jack, USB port, A/V connector and one HDMI port. The company is also supplying a separate adapter that has both composite/standard-def and component/high-def connectors, one optical audio jack for surround sound and analog stereo audio ports. It is also supplying alternate audio adapter (optical audio or RCA stereo) inside the box, which you can use if your home theater or TV is not accepting audio through HDMI.

The Xbox 360 Elite can give HD video output up to 1080p through component or optional VGA adapter. On the other hand, Sony PlayStation supports HDMI 1.3 to support higher resolution audio. It means that the Elite can only play Dolby Digital standard soundtracks and unable to play high-end resolution audios including DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby True HD, or Dolby Digital Plus.

Two memory card slots and two USB ports are located behind a door on the front panel. Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite is limited only to wired networking and does not have onboard Wi-Fi adapter, whereas both Sony PS3 and Nintendo Wii has onboard Wi-Fi. However, you can purchase additional Wi-Fi adapter and connect it on the USB port. Unlike the PS3 and the Wii, the Elite supports proprietary memory cards instead of supporting flash cards. USB ports on the Xbox 360 Elite game console allows the connectivity of a wired controller, Xbox Live Vision Camera and any other USB accessories such as keyboard, Sony PSP, Apple iPod, MP3 players, and digital cameras. We do not like that the USB ports are recessed inside the body and you need USB extension cable for connecting the iPod Shuffle etc.

There is an infrared (IR) port on the front of Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite that allows controlling of game console through universal IR remote controls. On the contrary, the PS3 does not have infrared port and need an additional Bluetooth remote. Moreover, the original Xbox 360 has only 20GB hard drive that filled up quickly on frequent usage. Therefore, it is better to go for 120GB drive.

Microsoft is supplying both Xbox Live Headset and handy Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, but they do not add any new feature like motion control of Wiimote or tilt sensitivity in the Sony PS3. Both wireless controller and Headset accepts AA batteries or you can go for additional rechargeable model. There is four-way directional pad on the controller, but occasionally it slips axes while tapping. It is important to mention here that the each Xbox 360 console can support four handy controllers at a time. The green LED light on both console and controllers show their connectivity. Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite also include external power supply as well as noise like original Xbox 360.

The user-friendly, slicker and stellar Dashboard interface of Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite is similar as that of Windows Media Center PCs. It has color surfaced tabs for most of the system features such as Xbox Live, Settings, Media, and Gaming. You can use the directional keypad on the handy controller for menu navigation. What’s more, you can customize the Dashboard with lots of preloaded themes and download more from Xbox store.

There is a Gamer Card that consists of user-defined avatar of a picture with 21 characters motto. You can capture a picture using Xbox Live Vision Camera or use the Microsoft approved preloaded/downloaded images for creating an avatar. The Gamer Card also has Game Score that is a point representative of Achievements of all games.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite act as a digital media hub that means you can connect music player, thumb drive, flash card reader, digital camera, iPod, Sony PS3, and forth to the USB port. The Elite is also compatible to Windows PC and can connect to Windows Media Connect, Zune software, Windows Media Player, and more. You can also access TV recordings of high-definition format from a networking Media Center Extender PC. The Elite also allows ripping of audio CDs from the networked computer to its hard drive straightly.

You can separately purchase an external HD DVD disc drive and use it with the Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite. The video quality of downloaded content from Xbox Live Marketplace and from DVD is good and stellar. On the contrary, the Sony PlayStation 3 is providing inbuilt Blu-ray drive. The Elite has included backward compatibility that includes support for 340 and more games of original Xbox. On the contrary, the PS3 can play all the games of the PS2.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite includes base-level membership named as Xbox Live Silver that offers to create friends list, share the gamer cards and communicate with them even outside games via voice messaging, voice chat or video chat through Live camera. Moreover, you can download free game demos and movie trailers from Xbox Live Marketplace. You have to upgrade up to the Gold membership to access and purchase the full fledged movies and games.

Nitty Gritty:

If you need a new Xbox with 120GB hard drive and can purchase separate wireless adapter and Xbox Live Gold membership, then you can buy – Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite. However, we will advise you to check Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii before making any decision.

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