Release Dates

11/22/05

12/10/05

12/2/05

03/23/06

The Xbox 360 System is Microsoft's next generation follow up to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 steps up the graphics with every game offering native 720p video for HDTVs. Those familiar with the original Xbox will be at home with the Xbox 360. The system enables four people to play on one system simultaneously using wireless game controllers. However, Microsoft hopes to set the Xbox 360 apart from the competition with its seasoned Xbox Live service. The XBox 360 has buit-in ethernet and is Wi-Fi ready with a separately purchased add-on to access Xbox Live.

The Xbox 360 is powered by a custom triple-core 3.2 GHz Power PC CPU designed by IBM and dubbed "Xenon." The Xenon features 1MB L2 shared cache for the three cores. The graphics are produced by an ATI designed GPU called "Xenos" that features 48 unified shaders and 10MB eDRAM. The Xbox 360 is equipped with 512 MB of 700 MHz GDDR3 RAM.

The Xbox 360 also functions as a home media hub, playing DVDs with its built-in player and media streamed from a Windows XP based PC. The Xbox 360 has 3 USB 2.0 ports, two memory unit slots, and 6-channel Dolby Digital sound. Added customization comes with Interchangeable face plates.

The console comes in two packages: Core and Premium. The Core system retails for $299 and comes with a wired controller, composite video cables, and a month of Xbox Live. The Premium system comes with a detachable 20 GB hard drive, an ethernet cable, chrome finish, an Xbox Live headset, a month of Xbox Live, a wireless controller, and component cables for HD video.