What's on your (hypothetical) Xbox 540 wish list?

Wed May 14, 2008 2:42PM EDT

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Microsoft has already quashed rumors of a redesigned, slimmer Xbox 360 for this fall, but not before gamers—myself included—began dreaming up wish lists for the non-existent (for now, at least) new console.

Rumors of an Xbox "520"—basically a half-step between the Xbox 360 and, say, the next-next gen console, the 720—have been circulating for...well, just about as long as the 360's been out.

This time around, TG Daily reported that it heard whispers of a "mid-cycle" refresh of the Xbox 360—which might include a slimmer design, a la the slim PlayStation 2—set for fall 2009. The rumors coincide with word that new, 65-nanometer graphics chips for the Xbox (smaller and cooler than the current 90nm 360 GPUs) are rolling off assembly lines.

Microsoft quickly denied the "Xbox 540" rumors, saying it has "no plans" for a new console this year.

But we can dream, can't we? Indeed, the Xbox 360 in particular is in sore need of a hardware redesign, given its sky-high failure rate, noisy cooling fans, and the like. Here's what would make me cough up the cash for a hypothetical Xbox 540 (these are all hardware changes, mind you, not software updates):

Better cooling system: Overheating seems to be the main bringer of the Red Ring of Death—the dreaded ring of red light that signals a major hardware failure. The upcoming 65nm graphics chips for the 360 should go a long way toward keeping new consoles cool, but a top-to-bottom redesign of the entire cooling system is also in order. Which brings us to...

Quieter cooling fans and optical drives: The Xbox 360 must be one of the loudest gadgets I've ever owned (well, the 20-pound, 4MB hard drive my dad bought in the mid-80s might take the cake). After spending some time with my relatively whisper-quiet PS3, I'd gladly fork over more cash for an Xbox that doesn't roar like a jet engine, especially when the DVD drive is spinning. And that reminds me...

A slot-loading optical drive: Again, I've been pretty happy with the slot-loading drive on the PS3—why not one for the Xbox 360 (er, 540)? It would definitely be a step up from the flimsy DVD tray in the current model, which tends to get jammed in the closed position. And speaking of optical drives...

A built-in Blu-ray drive: This one will probably have to wait for the Xbox 720, circa 2012 or so, but still, it would be a nice touch.

Built-in Wi-Fi: From the start, Microsoft's $100, snap-on wireless adapter seemed like a rip-off. Just build Wi-Fi into the console and be done with it.

Slimmer design...maybe: I guess it would be nice, but frankly, I'd happily trade a slimmer console for all the points I just mentioned, especially since overheating has been such a thorn in the 360's side.

So that's my "top 5" in the Xbox hardware wish-list department. What about you—what new hardware features would you like to see in an Xbox 540?

Related:
Microsoft Denies Slimmer Xbox 360 [Gizmodo]

 

 

Comments on What's on your (hypothetical) Xbox 540 wish list?

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  • 1 Posted by dborg40 on Wed May 14, 2008 3:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    yes !! Bring on a better version ! Everything B. Patterson said is needed. And how disappointed I was to see the HD DVD war end so quickly without consulting consumers. It'll be a cold day in heck before I am force-fed a blu-ray stand alone DvD player. If it is included, fine, but no more buying add-on's.

  • 2 Posted by guitarmunkey05 on Wed May 14, 2008 4:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wow, you just summed it all up. Those items are the things i would look for! One thing, but i might be dreaming, would be something that utilizes an accelerometer as a control for wii-like games. And while they're at it, just make the controllers mind-controlled.

  • 3 Posted by deadmeatoa on Wed May 14, 2008 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    No Blu-Ray drive for a Microsoft console, ever. It's againt Microsoft's corporate policy to put Java in any of its product, hence no Blu-Ray playback possible in Vista or Xbox 360/720. Rather, Microsoft will shop for a $20 proprietary drive from Taiwan.

  • 4 Posted by coolkyle4@snet.net on Wed May 14, 2008 6:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    i like them all xcept for the blu ray drive, otherwise i would appreciate the new hardware changes, but i still wouldnt buy a new console, even if i dont care too much about the fan, but more about the amount of heat it produces

  • 5 Posted by scryer_360 on Wed May 14, 2008 6:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    My 540 wishes are: slot loading drive, built in Wi-Fi, quiet, and make it all $399 to start. Thats still a tought sell given the PS3 costs the same and that that inparticular system is finally getting good games (not to mention the superior media capabilities, face it, while Xbox Live provides a few worthy downloads that pales in comparison to being able to play BD-discs). Still, I imagine that $399 is what Microsoft would sell it for until it got rid of all the old systems. Now, my 720 wishes, those are far more vast. 1) completely silent. The parts themselves do not have to be completely silent, but some decent sound proofing of the case would go a long way (all you need for that is some plastic layers). 2) Blu-Ray 2.0 player with HDMI

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