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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  • 46 Posted by mskarriem on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think it should have a grillcheese maker

  • 48 Posted by davidplainstx on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    I love my xbox 360 elite but Im for quieter console and built in wifi I dont like the idea of bluray in the 360 because it not a dvd player it's a gaming console if I want a dvd player I would have bought one

  • 49 Posted by guyny628 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I got the red ring of death. I have to say 2 things in support of microsoft: 1) When I called, despite the fact that I had failed to register my xbox they were very helpful and promptly sent me a return box to get my unit fixed, and 2)when my xbox 360 returned it was quieter (and presumeably cooler) than when it left. I really could give a rat's behind about blu ray, but then I'm behind the curve of hd home entertainment. As for internal wifi, I networked my desktop with the 360, and arched my wifi connection onto it and it works just fine. Also the option of syncing windows media center is a nice option as opposed to storing songs/pictures/videos on the hard drive of the console.

  • 50 Posted by joel.aguilar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    it looks like the worst thing for tha author is the noise... but come on, I always use headphones when I'm playing, so... It doesn't matter. Blu-ray, slimmer and Wi-fi sounds fine but not essential, how about faster to turn it on? or better qualitu controls?

  • 51 Posted by maledict_marionette on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    This list just pretty much indirectly wants the XBOX to be like PS3. Everything the list wants PS3 has. This was an ill thought of list. It should be titled, I want a PS3 instead of my XBOX because: as follows.

  • 52 Posted by ajgrandinetti on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    i really like all yu said but what about something for the controls....have you ever lost your controler leaving the room while waiting for the xbox live game to start and you come back and it just satrted and cant find your remote or just careless and cant find it how bout flashing led lights and a ring that calls the remote. to page the remote it would of course have to be done by the consle while turned on

  • 53 Posted by longhornsfan7610 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    All of that is great! But I think what would be really cool is like a 5 disc changer. That would be so awesome instead of having to change the game and get up out of your comfortable position. But cooling and the fixing of the Red Ring comes far before any of these cool gadgets. :]

  • 54 Posted by kenshin718@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    how about free internet??? the Wii has it and they are billionares. why cant the xbox have free internet and they are as rich as them!

  • 55 Posted by greed_9903 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Blu-Ray drive would be great as an add-on or built-in. Built-in wifi a must,Bluetooth compatable, no more wired head sets. Just a thought, how about taking out the loading tray to just a loading slot like a car cd player. Quieter Cooling fans,keep the removable hard drives, nice touch and memory cards. Backwards compatable of course.Keep the wire/wireless controlers. HD of course,free redownloads for payed game matterals.

  • 56 Posted by aploex on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    oh dream on xbox fan boy :( uve already have enought games dont u think? and asking for wi fi or blue ray is like stealing stuff from sony dont u think?, microsfot was just to head rush and impulsive from the start, althoug i must admit , the first orginal xbox was better during that gen

  • 57 Posted by the.tallgeese on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    He said "520" as being the step between 360 and 720 but it should be 540 since it is half way between 360 and 720.

  • 58 Posted by creed_perry on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why didn't everybody just upgrade to the 360 Elite? It solved almost all those problems. It's quiet, it doesn't overheat, it has HDMI output, 100 gig HDD. The Elite is an awesome machine. I've had mine for a year now and it's a tank. The black looks a lot cooler than the white too. Sure it would be nice to have a Blu-Ray drive these days, but I'm still enjoying my HDDVD collection with the add-on. Bottom line... don't buy a white 360. The 360 Elite is the best gaming machine ever made. Period.

  • 59 Posted by newconvention on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    ADD more buttons, built in keyboard, solar panels, LASERS, and put in an R2-D2 mobile unit that is an android with big screen projection that can plug into the electric minivan and drive me to work while I play Halo-4 super duper map pack. Don%

  • 60 Posted by aploex on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    thats just redicuolus a 720"? that just shows u ppl how lame microsoft is at creativity, notice a majoryt of xbox 360 games are shooters, and blood and gore whereas sony has a broader ranage,

  • 61 Posted by good0lddays on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    the only thing i would recommend for a new 360 would be better disk drives, cooling system, and better chip thats it. I have to agree with Spikelie_007, its like your trying to turn the 360 into the ps3, it doesnt need stuff like blue ray just buy a ps3 if u want that

  • 63 Posted by snayknbayk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    there's no reason to buy an xbox. every aspect of PS3 is better. x box controllers are a joke. x box period is a joke.

  • 64 Posted by p.you17 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    how about free online play like the ps3

  • 65 Posted by chen-jesse@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    why not just buy buy a PS3 equipped with internal wifi, slot dvd disk, free online play, and a 40 gb hard drive standard on their cheapest model... the xbox 360 is significantly worse than the PS3

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