I'm not sure if Microsoft would ever let other companies build Xbox 360 consoles—but it should, especially given the sorry state of Microsoft's gaming hardware.

Gaming blog Kotaku reported on the rumor earlier this week, and granted, it sounds far-fetched: that Microsoft "might begin allowing third-party manufacturers to create Xbox 360 hardware ... [meaning] hardware that runs 360 game discs created by someone other than Microsoft."

Far-fetched, perhaps, if not unprecedented. Kotaku ticks off a few cases where third parties have build hardware compatible with various game consoles—and after all, Microsoft is no stranger to letting outside hardware manufacturers license its technology. Take, oh ... Windows, for instance.

But for whatever reason, Microsoft has seemed determined to make its own Xbox 360 hardware—and the results have been this side of disastrous, what with Redmond's billion-dollar write-off for glitchy consoles.

And that's too bad, because the Xbox 360 software—not to menion Xbox Live—is top-notch. Indeed, the PS3 is still struggling to add software features—such as an in-game console menu (the XrossMediaBar), cross-game achievements, and custom soundtracks—that the 360 had at launch.

Then again, Sony sure makes a heck of a console, hardware-wise—quiet, reliable (compared to the 360, at least), powered by the bleeding-edge Cell processor, packing a Blu-ray drive, and gorgeous to look at. Indeed, when I wrote my Xbox wish-list post, most of the hardware improvements I suggested were pretty much ripped off from the PS3.

Having already sent my Xbox 360 in for repairs not once, but twice, I'd welcome a 360 built by a manufacturer—heck, any manufacturer—other than Microsoft.

And, dare I say it ... I think Sony would do a pretty good job, no? It'll never happen, but it's fun to dream.

So, would you buy an Xbox 360 console built by a third party—and if so, what companies would you recruit?

Related:
Microsoft To Let Other Companies Build, Release 360 Consoles? [Kotaku]