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brbrunetti
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Rating:  8
Time with product: 2 Days
Strengths: Easy set up, good sound and hearing capabilities, great experience playing online
Weaknesses: none
Summary: Xbox Live brings playing Xbox games to a whole different level. It makes the games more interesting. Especially if you can get a group of friends or co-workers together all playing the same game and giving your colleagues head-shots!!!
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beddardr
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Rating:  10
Time with product: 36 Days
Strengths: Fun, replay value, communicator
Weaknesses: Price, ongoing subscription cost, hardware setup cost
Summary: I must admit, I have been a skeptic of the ability of any console unit to provide the same type of online gaming experience that is available on my PC. That skepticism is no more. I can honestly say that Microsoft has done an outstanding job with their implementation of Live! From beginning to end, my experience with Live was a positive one. The only downside to Live is the costs involved with it. Right off the bat there will be a lot of folks who won't be able to consider it due to the fact that a high speed Internet connection (cable modem, T1, etc.) is required. Second is the cost of the starter kit. You can get around this eventually by searching the net for discounts, sales, or coupon codes. Third is the idea of an ongoing yearly subscription fee. I don't like the idea of having to pay a fee in order to play games online, but at the standard price of $60 per year that is only $5 per month so I decided to give it a try. Keep in mind that Microsoft has the right to increase this fee at any time--not good. Finally, most people will need some additional hardware to get the Xbox online and that will cost you. If you don't connect it directly to your cable modem, you'll need to set up a home network of sorts. The Xbox Live site is a great resource for more information on this. Now for the good stuff. The Xbox Live experience is incredible! Microsoft has geared this stuff toward the average Joe. By that I mean that the setup for Live was clean and concise. It walked you through every step of the process and provided you with possible solutions to any problems that you might have. Of course, I chose the hardest type of connection (using my PC as a gateway with my Xbox plugged into my hub), but even then Microsoft's setup wizard was a tremendous help. I can't say enough good things about the Live setup. Nice job, Microsoft. The gameplay is just fantastic. Of course, you're going to have the occasional slowdown or lag, but for the most part my game play experience was smooth as silk. And the communicator! Wow! I did not expect it to work as well as it did. Just plug it into your controller and start talking to your teammates. Very smooth, very slick. Once again, kudos go to Bill Gates and the gang. I have heard complaints about foul language on Live and I'm sorry to say that it is true. If you aren't offended by R-rated movies, then no problem. If you are...guess what? Just unplug your headset, reload, and make them feel the pain!! In conclusion, Live is an incredible piece of work that has clearly had a lot of thought put into it. Aside from the costs involved and the limited number of Live-enabled titles, this is a great product and I would easily recommend it to anyone who is even remotely interested in it. You will have loads of fun with this thing now and in the future. With more Live-enabled titles coming out everyday this experience can only get better!
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msamberrae
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Rating: 10
Time with product: 3 Months
Strengths: Headset; Multiplayer Capabilities
Weaknesses: None
Summary: Adds to the realism of the game and provides online, multiple player aspect. Reasonable price, and the headset allows you to converse (or taunt) your opponents. A definite must for the best gaming console out there!
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9.66
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