bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite System Bundle

• Cable
• Console
• Controller
• Memory Card

Rating: 8

Time with product: 45 Days

Strengths: Great graphics, HDMI Output, network compatability

Weaknesses: Loud Fan, limited multiplayer games available.

Summary: Have installed this Game machine in Home Theatre. Graphics are excellent, running 1080p on 52" Sony Bravia LCD TV. Sound also excellent DD 5.1. We are using Xbox wireless controllers and remote (for DVDs). These have performed flawlessly so far. Only complaint is loud fan, it is not a big deal for gaming but is a little distracting for DVD use. I would not recommend this unit as a DVD player for that reason (but that is not it's main purpose in life) As a gaming platform - would definitely recommend.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3

Strengths: Forza, Falcon-core (not all), 120GB of downloading glory.

Weaknesses: Marvel game, console issues.

Summary: The value is spot on with this package, its one weakness being the Marvel game. It's just not that great compared to what else is out there. Forza is of course one of the best racing sims to date. For both to be included makes the Elite bundle an even better value than it already was.My console happens to be a Falcon-core, but it has a strange start-up issue. I always need to turn it on once, then off, then on again for it to start-up. I used another 360 Elite before and it didn't have this issue at all. This problem is very annoying, but on a positive note, my 360 runs cool and quiet.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 71

Strengths: Comes with two free games, 120 GB hard drive, Console with the largest library of released games

Weaknesses: Could get quite noisy, need to spend extra to get the HD-DVD drive (Blu-Ray add-on possibly in the future), need to pay for Xbox Live Gold

Summary: I have checked the console I got and it seems like it has the 65nm CPU processor, which supposedly has lower failure rate than the older ones. I am quite happy with the purchase and especially the large library of classic arcade games that can be downloaded from Xbox Live market place. I have all the three newer consoles Xbox 360, PS3, & Wii. Where the PS3 more comes out as a gaming & Media Center console, Xbox 360 is more enjoyable for gaming. I am very happy with my Xbox 360.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: 120 gb hard drive, hdmi connection and cable, forza 2 and marvel ultimate alliance games bundled, optical audio connector, newer motherboard

Weaknesses: no built in hd dvd or blu-ray player

Summary: I waited awhile before I bought my Xbox 360, and I got lucky enough to buy it at the right time. The Elite comes with everything you might need to upgrade to in the future (hdmi, optical audio, 120 gb hard drive, etc). I was also pleasantly surprised to obtain the newer Falcon board, which has lowered the rate of the dreaded red lights of death. This is definitely one of the best systems out there, allowing me to stream movies and music in just about any format from my computer and/or Zune. The Elite comes with all the essentials to enjoy single player action on the 360. The only thing I could've asked for is a built-in HD-DVD or Blu-ray player, but that would just mean I'd have to start a new dvd collection (which can wait). Overall, I'm extremely happy with my purchase and am glad to finally have joined the next gen gaming community with this console. As of this review, the Elite has been in extremely short supply since Christmas. Be sure to grab one if you're looking for a 360 and the Elite is available in your area. Good luck!

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Months

Strengths: Bigger HD, better color (beige is bad, black is good), HDMI.

Weaknesses: Large power supply. No built in HD DVD player.

Summary: I received the Xbox 360 Elite system as a gift. Connected to my 56" HDTV, the games are awesome! I really wish the console manufacturers would include two controllers with their systems. I really like the black color so much better than the original 360 color. Why does the darn power supply have to be so huge?! Even though the Elite system is supposed to be quieter, it is still quite loud.