🚀 go-pugleaf

Two versions of one console?  Will there be two sets of games as well?  This 
all sounds like the Mega CD/Mega 32X road Sega walked down before.
www.only777.com

"Doug Jacobs" <dja...@shell.rawbw.com> wrote in message 
news:111qejeaieh0r2b@corp.supernews.com...
> In alt.games.video.xbox NEXT BOX <nex...@xbox2.net> wrote:
>
>>  http://gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=6980
>> Xbox 2 set to feature removable hard drive - reports
>
> Ugh.  My experience with removable hard drives hasn't been very
> favorable.  Had a coworker fry her entire HD because she didn't push it
> into the case all the way.  100s of MB of data, went bzzt.  Gone.
>
>> Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console is set to feature a removable 
>> hard
>> drive bay, according to online reports today, which will allow users to
>> upgrade their entry-level systems to include mass storage capabilities.
>
>> Citing a "reliable source", technology news site Engadget revealed 
>> details
>> of the removable hard drive, claiming that the unit attaches to the top 
>> of
>> the console "in a really slick way, almost like the hood scoop on a 
>> muscle
>> car."
>
> Great, yet another non-flat top console from Microsoft. :p
>
> So you'll be able to buy the non-HD version, then buy a better HD for it,
> making it better than the version that comes with a HD?  I'm confused...
>
>> The report tallies with claims from developers working on the system, who
>> have told GamesIndustry.biz in the past that Microsoft has disclosed that
>> there will be a mass storage device, but that they should not rely on its
>> presence for their games.
>
> This makes no sense.  Either they can use it, or they can't.  If you have
> a "high  end" and a "low end" unit, eventually someone's going to want to
> make a game that will only be playable on the "high end" unit.  And if the
> only difference between the high end and low end is whether it comes with
> a small HD, they might as well just ship them all without HDs, and then
> make you buy XBox360/next/Xenon drives like Sony makes you buy memory
> cards.  They could even offer different sizes - Nintendo does this with
> their GameCube memory cards.  That way *everyone* will have one, but not
> everyone will feel the need to buy the biggest drive out there.  (of
> course, hackers are going to *love* this setup...)
>
>> One vital question, however, is whether this hard drive will simply be a
>> sealed memory unit (which may actually be a hard drive, or may be a very
>> high capacity flash drive) or if it will sport a screen and buttons,
>> allowing it to be used as a portable media player.
>
> Flash drive wouldn't be very large, and wouldn't be used like the HD in
> the Xbox.  It'd essentially be a very large memory card.  Microsoft should
> have asked Sony and Sega about the whole "memory card that can play
> games/media" thing, as their attempts at such a thing was short lived,
> expensive, and not  very widely supported.  Besides, if the
> XboxXenonNext360 comes with flash drive, how will I get any media onto it
> in the first place?  I've already got a network share with music on it, so
> unless I can network my Xenonboxn3xt60 and transfer media directly to it,
> it seems sort of a waste to me.  Besides, don't most people already have
> portable MP3 players by now?  Not to mention the cost...  So it's a game
> console AND portable media player.  Yeah, that's going to cost $400-500...