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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  • 6 Posted by emikeez on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hey! Then you'd have a PlayStation 3!

  • 7 Posted by obsidian_3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    How are you forgetting motion sensing remotes like the Wii? Probably the single greated addition to gaming this CENTURY.

  • 8 Posted by her_geisha_dance on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    360 doesn't need Blu-Ray, it's not a DVD player. It's a console. If you want a Blue-Ray DVD player, go buy one. Microsofts consoles have always been on the bulky side. Look at the PS3? Don't talk about size after seeing that pile of crap. I've never experienced the RRoD, but I've gone through 11 consoles and none of them have been RRoD. Gaming consoles aren't meant to be left on for long periods of time. If the system overheats than it's more than likely your own fault. I've also never had a problem with the loudness of the 360 on ANY of the ones I've gotten replaced. Built in Wi-Fi would be nice, but the other 5 suggestions are ----- ty and unneeded.

  • 9 Posted by lacrossez12 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    idk im not trying to be an ----- but why not just get a PS3 if you dont like the 360? i have both and i mean there both cool but i play the PS3 more....

  • 10 Posted by shortieroxmysox on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    I like cheese :D Oooh ooh there should b a CHEEZ CONSOLE1 Zomg yeah!

  • 11 Posted by darkjedi71 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    I would just like them to last more than 11 months! I am now on my 4th 360,..all of which lasted no more than 11 months.

  • 12 Posted by samstar777 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    Personally, after getting used to having the best graphics out of the previous generation of consoles with the original Xbox, I'm kind of bummed the PS3 outdid Microsoft with the new generation. I'm tired of hearing how games for the 360 and the PS3 are amazing but the PS3 always takes the cake with graphics. For example: Call of Duty 4, and GTA IV. Improved graphics would be nice for the 360 but i think that won't come until a new generation of consoles, years down the road. I'm hoping the HDMI cable I'm saving up for will help a bit. Agreed with your wishlist very much though.

  • 13 Posted by yazzkrdzalic on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    i agree with all of that, and then my addition is one more thing...and ppl are going to hate me for it...but i love the original xbox controller, the big controller, not the s type, THE original one, its my favorite controller ever, so if they could make one for the 540 id love it :)

  • 14 Posted by rgn1rountree on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well that sums it up. But one more thing that would be nice is like I don't A LOWER PRICE POINT. I mean sure the 360 is cheaper than the PS3, but the PS3 is better built system. As far as the built in Wi-Fi, a Sexier look than the 360, and has far better reliblatity than the 360. Plus PSN FOR FREE (unless you buy something on their website). Plus you won't have to buy like a hundred different devices for the PS3, unlike 360 which you have to pay for the wireless controller charger, and pay $50 dollars a year for Xbox Live service.

  • 17 Posted by black90mustang on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    360 is crap i own a PS3 and have played both......Instead of wishing just get a PS3

  • 18 Posted by flh462002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    How about throw it away and read a book??

  • 19 Posted by ispeak3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    man thats kinda cheap they've already made a small upgrade to the xbox 360 with the elite but now a whole new 540. dont get me wrong but i think there should be some sort of special trade in where if u have one of the opld ones u can trade in that for the xbox 540 if it comes out maybe pay an extra 50 bucks. idk lol i dont think they'll do that though.

  • 20 Posted by hellbell2469 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    why not get a ps3 and be done with it haha all tho they don't have enough games out for it but all around internet access and free online gameing and for all the ----- ing you did about the 360 its made up in the ps3

  • 21 Posted by bennice2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    I could live without the BluRay. That format will die off before it's widely adopted. Everything else mentioned so far sounds reasonable, and basically gives the console the same features that almost every laptop PC has already. Bigger hard drive (easy one since they're readily available and cheap) slot disc drive would be sweet (a la the old Pioneer CD/DVD ROM drives from a few years back) Built in WiFi - what doesn't have this nowadays?? Better/quieter cooling system Wii type controllers would be a HUGE bonus. The only thing wrong with the Wii is the game selection right now. Otherwise it's a better console. If you can make it in a smaller package, then great. If not, just don't make it any bigger than the current model.

  • 22 Posted by lighthsew on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    Wi-Fi would be a pretty useless addition, I mean, wireless connections are laggy enough for one and the last thing we need is more wireless pollution. A slimmer design would basically kill any hopes of better air cooling. What they SHOULD do for improved cooling is integrate a number of large (like 4 120mm fans if the system were laid flat), slow fans on the top side of the case to cool the motherboard directly, and increase ventilation on the sides of the case to direct the warmed air out. That would be a great solution for their cooling problem and could probably work in a slimmer version too if the new chips run cool enough, About the Blu-Ray drive. That would just set the price of the console up about $300 at this point. I mean, MAYBE a blu-ray player in an uber-deluxe model.

  • 23 Posted by evan_biddulph on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    You pretty much listed everything already included in the Playstation 3! Let's face it, now that the PS3 has rumble support, the superior of the next-gen consoles (XBox 360/Playstation 3) is definitely the Playstation 3! The Wii is in a whole different category, and gets the cake for the best innovation. In my book it looks like this: 1. Wii 2. PS3 3. Xbox 360

  • 24 Posted by icemonkey83 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    the console is fine what they need to do is make more split screen games online other than halo that is what needs to be done

  • 25 Posted by dnncahill on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    the 360 is great why make another one that cost more money

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