[RANT] Ridiculous Hype over XBOX 360

[Zappo]

Hot item indeed, given the cooling issues.

Chances are that after xmas, they will be widely available. No point in holding out after the launch.

 

[TwistedBishop]

However, some people had to put their Xbox360s in the middle of the table, with raised blocks at the corners, so that it has plenty of air on every side of the box - that's not "proper ventilation", that's a defective unit.

I think there's no question out of a million units a few are defective. I don't think that qualifies as "plagued" though. The number I've been seeing is 3 percent, which they're claiming is under the average for brand-new advanced technology.

Others encountered firmware problems, which I heard were fixed through the Live service, but what about people without broadband?

This is news to me. Do you mean the emulation update? They have a couple ways you can get that without the Live service.

 

[KenM]

... but what about people without broadband?

Microsoft has said from day one of Xbox live, you need broadband for it. It won't work otherwise.

 

[drothgery]

And "must have XBOX 360" is reasonable?

No, but it's not any more unreasonable than "must have PS2" was, or any other run on the year's hot toy/gadget. Myself, I'm planning to get an HDTV after Christmas and a 360 once the real system drops below $250.

 

[Henry]

Actually, the early adopters should be thanked, not ridiculed. They're the ones who take the slings and arrows of outrageous defects in products, and help the companies get them right.

 

[Zappo]

I did not use the word "Plagued" in my post. I try to stay objective as much as I can, and I don't have enough verified information to make a strong statement. The hundreds of forum posts I've read that complained about effectively unusable units lead me to believe that there are issues.

The firmware upgrade thing is something I've read on forums, hence why I said that "I heard" about it; I make no claim about it being 100% true. It is true AFAIK that emulation was updated via Live at some point.

Microsoft has said from day one of Xbox live, you need broadband for it. It won't work otherwise.

They didn't say that you'd need broadband for basic system functionality, though - which includes firmware and (IMO) emulation upgrades. I'm glad to hear that there are other ways to receive those upgrades.

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

They didn't say that you'd need broadband for basic system functionality, though - which includes firmware and (IMO) emulation upgrades.

It’s not.

I'm glad to hear that there are other ways to receive those upgrades.

(Some more info on those upgrades and such)

Anyone can go to xbox.com and get the emulation software. (and I’m pretty sure any firmware update will be there too) The emulation software (and I would assume firmware updates) will also be available via the demo disk in the official magazine. (At least the last I read it will be.)

I think it’s pretty safe to assume that if you have a 400 dollar machine you have a least dial up access and a burner in your PC or a mailing address and 20-30 bucks for a rather well done magazine.

 

[Arnwyn]

I'm sorry. Maybe I'm not a console fan

And that probably explains your entire "rant".

but what is it about this gotta-have obsession over XBOX 360?

Beats me. What is it about the gotta-have obsessions over the newest car? Over the newest gadget? Over the newest book? Over the newest game? Over the newest...

 

[Vocenoctum]

I did not use the word "Plagued" in my post. I try to stay objective as much as I can, and I don't have enough verified information to make a strong statement. The hundreds of forum posts I've read that complained about effectively unusable units lead me to believe that there are issues.

The initial post said "plagued", so TwistedBishop was just saying that the problems you note don't really reinforce the original rant.

 

[ssampier]

Actually, the early adopters should be thanked, not ridiculed. They're the ones who take the slings and arrows of outrageous defects in products, and help the companies get them right.

and those who complain about it online so I can avoid those products until they get it right.