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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  • 306 Posted by brian.mcgrath@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    PS3 in 2007...Wait...2008....no..2009 Will be the year of PS3!!!!!....I'll add one more year just in case...2010 IS THE YEAR OF THE PS3!!!!! You 360 guys are going to be soooo jealous! I've skipped the past 3 years of the best games around just so I could rub the PS3 in 360 guy's faces

  • 307 Posted by samus312 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    Excuse me if someone already said this as well; but what about a BUILT IN WIRELESS ANTENNA for playing LIVE??? No one likes so spend an extra 100 for a wireless adapter, nor have a hazardous trip cord to plug into a nearby computer. This should come standard.

  • 308 Posted by dbrownsouthnashhvac on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    I don't really see Microsoft adding a blue-ray drive until the sale of blue-ray discs actually warrant it. Like skiskiacm state, blue-ray is doing very poorly on the market. I personally think the future of hi-def formats will be downloadable hard drive content. which the 360's already set up for and using. And with the launch of NetFlix and Apples's set top, hard drive based boxes, it's likely Blue-ray very well may be on it's way out already.

  • 309 Posted by altimx03 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why not just wish for a ps3, everything you people are wishing for comes standard on ps3.

  • 310 Posted by theseahippo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is all pointless because its all things that the PS3 already has and that microsoft was too cheap to put in the 360 (why have built in things when we can charge hundreds of dollars for each invidual piece, right?). maybe they should come up with a waterproof 360 so you can stick it in the bathtub so it doesn't oveheat. hmm.

  • 311 Posted by theseahippo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    I hate using the phrase "year of the PS3" because it makes it seem like everything is coming out this year and then its dead. But in 2008 the big ones that come out that I can remember are MGS4, Resistance 2, LittleBigPlanet, SOCOM: Confrontation, Motorstorm: Pacific Rift, and that's what I remember off the top of my head. And February 2009 has Killzone 2.

  • 312 Posted by terrytayler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    I agree. With the 360 having all the good games and PS3 still in a slump with only Metal Gear to be excited about. everything mentioned should be upgraded!

  • 313 Posted by terrytayler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    and if you wait a year MGS$ will be on 360 just like all the other Metal Gear games did.

  • 314 Posted by terrytayler on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    And you listed Socom? Motorstorm? My god these are awful games. You wern't seriously listing those as games to be excited about were you?

  • 315 Posted by josephng77 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    just get a PS3!!! it has everything u asked for.

  • 316 Posted by zim_thegame on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Blue Ray is a Sony invention..by adding this; I believe that they will be admitting that the Playstation 3..which has a Blue Ray player built in..is a better buy..

  • 317 Posted by david2u_0000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    People keep saying, "just get a ps3, it has everything you asked for"... minus xbox exclusive games, LIVE, 120GB HDD (Elite), and the fact that the 360 is easier to program for game developers thus making its games generally smoother, and more polished than the PS3 versions. The PS3 is no doubt a powerhouse but it yet to be tapped into. If it were not for its Blu-ray capabilities, I wouldnt own one. All the above suggestions are great. Especially the sound one, my PS3 is bulkier than the Xbox by the way.

  • 319 Posted by soggly on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    But seriously guys stop hating on one another , I love video games my self and my 360 hasn't broken on me once, don't know why, it never gets hot or anything but whatever. I also don't have ps3 or wii but c-o-m-e o-o-o-n-n-n-n those are awesome too. I in general love games so if ps3 wins, great for them, if 360 wins great for them also just be happy with what you have and not with what you don't. I support the humble belief that the fact of the matter never was but wads to be...

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