360 Elite Refurb or 250GB Slim?

Avoid a refurbed 360 at all costs. try getting a psmove bundle instead.

 

Yeah, refurbed 360s are about as trustworthy as buying a Yugo from those creepily, over-happy used car salesmen.

I've got a 360 Slim (4GB, though), and I'm very pleased with it. The guts are ten times better, the venting is much more efficient, and all in all, just a better idea to buy new. That extra $100 will be well spent.

The only downside is that all Slims lack a RROD warranty because of Microsoft's new policies

 

^^If you bought the hard drive later you would end up spending more in the long run, since they retail for $130.

Technically with the S models it's the RDoD (Red Dot of Death, the rings don't light red in this version), but that's not to say the 360 S doesn't come without a warranty. They just won't cover it for three years. If anything happens in the first year they'll still replace it. Frankly, that's not much of an issue, the major problem is that the first consoles produced and bled a large amount of heat. The newer ones ventilate much better and have literally half the power consumption.

 

You could just invest in the 250GB 360 S Halo Reach edition. I mean, you'd be paying $400, but you get the 250GB 360 S, Halo Reach, two wireless controllers, and a headset. Economically, not a bad buy.



And @ IGemini: Yeah, I found that warranty bit a little later after stating that. What you said is true about the ventilation, also. I'm just one of those guys who has to believe in Murphy's Law

 

True, but that 4GB would probably run out of space real soon (I'm just going to assume you're a hardcore gamer and will use the HDD to its full advantage). Honestly, the Slim is worth the wait, so if you just save up till then you'll be sitting pretty. Also, you can use that time to decide on what your final decision will be as opposed to being in the "I'm-gonna-have-to-pay-an-extra-$130-because-I-had-a-knee-jerk-reaction-and-bought-a-4GB-Slim" I'm in now.

Let us know what the final verdict is.

 

You got a point there. Plus, 4GB Slims are in stock way more often than 250GB, and by the time you've scratched that Reach itch, you grab a 250GB HDD, use the transfer cable and you're set.

I guess I've just got a chip on my shoulder for the way Microsoft handles third-party accessories, or just ease of replacement. I could get a 250GB internal or external drive for about half the cost of the official Xbox HDD, and it just irks me.

 

you guys need to learn a few modifications. Original xbox 360 here, had it since release. I have installed an x clamp on the motherboard to prevent the gpu from flexing and losing connection, upgraded fans/duct, LEDs, and the bumpers inside the disk tray have been moved about 1/2" to the outside, so now if you tip your xbox over while its playing a game, you wont get the circular scratch on the disc.

 

bout $50

 

I would have thought about modding an original 360 I could have gotten refurbed, but I just bit the bullet and laid down my cash to the evil empire.

But with all your mods mentioned up there, I can probably get a cheap refurb, mod it, and pass it on to my girlfriend as a Christmas gift Mucho gracias.

 

Hold on a sec. I've worked at a video game repair store for 4 years now and MANY of the system we get are caused by those modifications, especially the external fans people add. It's best to just keep the system in a well ventilated area. And 360s are made with the xclamps, many times they are the cause of red rings.

Anyway don't get an elite if you can get the new slim. If you get the slim, you'll have wireless internet for the 360, though I'm not sure how good it is, and Kinect which I've heard will be better than the wii and ps3 move. Might as well get the 250gb now instead of waiting a couple weeks but it depends on how much memory you'll be using.