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 skiskiacm on Wed May 14, 2008 5:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Microsoft already said they would consider putting a blue ray drive in, one problem tho, even tho blu ray won the disk battle, disk are failing to sell, blu ray is a failing market with sales far under the expected, as for additions to the 360: built in wifi, the antenna attachment is ugly and you are already charging monthly for xbl why charge for the wifi antenna HDMI, i'm not sure if newer releases fo the 360 have this change, but i feel HDMI is the best looking audio and video connector. Larger Hard Drive to hold more downloaded games/movies Expanded video market, no need to take movies down, get a larger server. Update Downloaded content to be linked to a game tag not a system, since alot of 360's have failed, many users have lost downloaded content, and need to re-download it, this is un just as a re-download should be free.

  • 5 Posted by skiskiacm on Wed May 14, 2008 5:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Microsoft already said they would consider putting a blue ray drive in, one problem tho, even tho blu ray won the disk battle, disk are failing to sell, blu ray is a failing market with sales far under the expected, as for additions to the 360: built in wifi, the antenna attachment is ugly and you are already charging monthly for xbl why charge for the wifi antenna HDMI, i'm not sure if newer releases fo the 360 have this change, but i feel HDMI is the best looking audio and video connector. Larger Hard Drive to hold more downloaded games/movies Expanded video market, no need to take movies down, get a larger server. Update Downloaded content to be linked to a game tag not a system, since alot of 360's have failed, many users have lost downloaded content, and need to re-download it, this is un just as a re-download should be free.

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