Xbox 360 Elite production shots

by David Dreger { Mar 26th 2007 at 3:15PM }

We've got a couple spy shots hot off the production line in China of the Xbox 360 Elite. They were taken with a cellphone so the shots aren't of the highest quality, but they get the job done. The site hosting the thread is TGFCer, which stands for "TV Game Fans Club", and according to our tipster, is one of the biggest Chinese bbs for video game enthusiasts. A later shot was provided of the top of the hard drive, and you can barely make out the "12" in "120G HDD" due to over exposure, but with some Photoshop wizardry (Command+I, or Control+I for PC users) we were able to get the text to become more apparent. More pictures (including aforementioned inverted color shot) after the break.

Another reason we're including the inverted shot is because we're running on dual monitors, and on one the normal shot displays the text best and on the other the inverted shot displays the text best. This way, at least one of them should work for you.

[Thanks, RestlessDream]

Tags: Black Xbox 360, BlackXbox360, Elite, Xbox 360 Elite, Xbox360Elite

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

albo23 @ Mar 26th 2007 3:27PM

Well, I and many other are pretty sure the Elite is now reality.

Jon C. @ Mar 26th 2007 3:29PM

Nice. Now if only I can afford one. Any bets as to which # comment will mention that this is "still" an April Fool's joke? ;-)

Toph @ Mar 26th 2007 3:31PM

Awwwww....crap. This sucks. So Microsoft is saying 'Let's make our own PS3'? I don't get the idea behind this at all.

Just give me a larger HDD and I'll be happy.

Final Light @ Mar 26th 2007 3:34PM

is there a rumored price tag of this? and i wonder if gamestop/eb games will offer some kind of deal. like, trade in your normal xbox and pay a certain ammount or something. i dont wanna whoop out over 400 dollars for a system again...

kevdogg @ Mar 26th 2007 3:36PM

so does this mean it's coming soon? i can't keep waiting around to get an x360! i need something to occupy my spare time after the semester is over.

DeadPlasmaCell @ Mar 26th 2007 3:36PM

I don't mind picking one up.. I don't mind selling mine off and taking a small $ hit.. It would be worth it to get out of my 360 refurbished console cycle.

Jon @ Mar 26th 2007 3:38PM

Yea, this confirms it for me. I was slightly skeptical still about the Gamestop "Hardive" poster.

If only I hadn't picked up a 360 over Christmas.

DjDATZ @ Mar 26th 2007 3:39PM

wow...those look amazing. i want one...im seriously thinkin of gettin one now...

Josh @ Mar 26th 2007 3:41PM

It's not a PS3. Some people need a larger hard drive and some need HDMI. They need to scrap the Core, use the 65nm chips, fix the ventilation issues and put built in wifi for the Elite to really sell well. Oh yea...and lower the price!! $300 for the Premium and $375 for the Elite.

Derka @ Mar 26th 2007 3:45PM

There it is! If that's not proof, I don't know what is. Seriously thinking about selling my old one and getting this one.

Roger Rees @ Mar 26th 2007 3:54PM

There is something innately satisfying about the fact that the HDD is 120 GB. Exactly double the high-end PS3. I like it!

Raydahz @ Mar 26th 2007 4:05PM

I adjusted the levels on the 120 G image to make it even more clear...

http://www.interstartv.com/images/360120gb.jpg

sexy!

Feelz Good @ Mar 26th 2007 4:12PM

Microsoft needs to just suck it up and announce this thing already. You lost the element of surprise long ago. Does anyone even mark Elite stories are rumor anymore?

Matt @ Mar 26th 2007 4:13PM

Yep, that seals the deal for me. I wouldn't just buy one of these outright, but if Gamestop was offering a nice trade in offer I might consider it. It funny how today with the internet, cell phone cameras, etc., you just can't keep anything secret! I love it!

razer @ Mar 26th 2007 4:15PM

Why are the pictures dated 2/14 and just being released now?? What was the hold up?

Damn MS, I have argued for your console since launch but things like this make those who argued your point of HDMI doesn't matter, etc look like a bunch of idiots.. I will not buy this and am done fighting in the fanboy wars for you.. Now how much are you going to screw me over a stand-alone 120gig HDD? $200 dollars maybe?? Get bent!

Ciaran Gallagher @ Mar 26th 2007 4:35PM

What about current 360 owners? I hope we aren't left behind! I want a bigger hard drive but I DON'T want to lose all the data I have on my current hard drive!

Dragod @ Mar 26th 2007 4:35PM

Well, I like the Black, but I don't know if it's even worth it for me. I have no use for the larger drive, as of yet, as I keep all of my music on my zune and just plug it in when I want some music. If it was only about $100 more than the current 350 premium I might just return my 360 and get it. But I am not getting an HD TV for quite a while, so I'm really not sure.

Vader582 @ Mar 26th 2007 4:36PM

I don't know much about the dev kits but could this be them instead of an "elite" 360?

joedirt131 @ Mar 26th 2007 4:41PM

Well, I'm convinced. I doubted it all at first, but now this can't really be a hoax, unless some guy had 17 360s he all decided to paint black, then printed a label on a 360 HDD, which I really, really doubt.

I just hope I can find a good deal on a trade-in, since I really would like the HDMI, and the bigger HDD would be nice too. Maybe Microsoft will do some kind of exchange program so people who already bought a 360 don't feel kind of screwed over by this, but I doubt that. People say that we shouldn't feel screwed over because consoles are redesigned all the time, like the slim PS2. But the thing with this is that it's happening a mere year and a half after launch, which is kind of early for a redesign, and it's including something you can't ever have from the original version of the console (HDMI).

Sunny @ Mar 26th 2007 4:41PM

This is half of the reason why I got my 2 year plan from BestBuy. The dark side of me would just like to take my system back and only pay 80 dollars to get this new baby.

Ashley @ Mar 26th 2007 4:47PM

"11. There is something innately satisfying about the fact that the HDD is 120 GB. Exactly double the high-end PS3. I like it!"

120GB is just the size of a hard drive...

20GB, 60GB, 80GB, 100GB....120GB...

They could have put in 80GB drives, and everyone would be happy, but when a 120GB drive costs MS next to nothing extra....its worth it to make it even more "1337!!11"

zomg I want one of these - too bad I really cant afford one! This will cost nearly $600US where I live...!!

Ah well. guess the UK will proberly never get the IPTV anyway, so I'll never need the 120GB drive. And HDMI - dont need that either, aint even got a real hdtv yet, still using my 15" LCD PC screen (still pretty sweet though, even though its 15"! ;)

PLEASE Bill, your the richist man in the world, just get the TV and Movie downloads, aswell as the IPTV to the UK just like it is in the US!! PLEASE!!!

Clinton @ Mar 26th 2007 4:49PM

MS, don't be a gouge-monster and drop the price of the 20GB and 120GB HDD already. It's ridiculous.

Type105x @ Mar 26th 2007 4:54PM

yey thats enuff for me :)

NOW I WANT HARD FACTS!!!!!

is it the 65mm cpu? new dvd drive?? PRICE??

emmm HDMI ^_^ yummy

I hope it comes out in the UK!!!!

Benjamin09 @ Mar 26th 2007 5:10PM

...um...people that are saying they want a trade in program and stuff.

What is the difference then this being upgraded vs. your computer? Why dont you go to best buy and complain they upgraded your computer while you weren't looking and demand a trade in program?

a ham sandwich @ Mar 26th 2007 5:10PM

COULD JUST BE DEV KIT PRODUCTION!

BadVermin @ Mar 26th 2007 5:15PM

Ciaran Gallagher - I bet the drive comes with a cable for transfering the information from one drive to another... :)

jay @ Mar 26th 2007 5:24PM

Funny to see the same guys that say these PS3-esque features aren't important considering getting one of these "elite" xboxs. They need to go blu-ray on the HD player as well. At the same time that European MS exec says that there isn't anything about the PS3 that he wishes the 360 had. Wait til he sees this...my question is, will the 360 fanboys turn on the elite fanboys because of the cost of the system? Will they go out of their way to justify not getting a better product because of the cost as they do w/ the PS3? Will you see those lame as head to head comparisons? Well obviously someone at MS thinks that the 360 needs more horses to compete. Maybe some of you should wake up and smell the reality...

gregh29 @ Mar 26th 2007 5:35PM

I got the 3 red lights finally on my year old 360 just a few weeks ago. This is great timing on the elite, I am going to hold out and pick up one in april

Manny @ Mar 26th 2007 5:40PM

I wonder how much it'll be to trade in an old 360 for the elite at EB or Gamestop cuz I'd wanna avoid the overheating problems... and cuz black is just badass....

adam @ Mar 26th 2007 5:42PM

So somebody has had these photos since febuary 14th? suspect! (the photos are dated 2007/02/14)

I dont think anyone deserves a "trade in" program. just buy it and stop crying. Like the others have said, your not going somewhere asking to trade your PC or Laptop cause its outdated 3 weeks after you buy it.

I personally will wait till its more mainstream till I buy the newer systems. Or till my current system crashes or "breaks" somehow..... gotta have a good excuse to tell the wife. Help me out here!

rTwelve @ Mar 26th 2007 5:44PM

@Sunny

I know isn't that great? My 360 conked out just in time too, although the dvd playback has been defective since I got it.

These pictures were taken on Feb 14... if the earliest known 360 on the xbox forums was made on Sept 12, 2005, then that late April release is on target.

Toph @ Mar 26th 2007 5:44PM

Hey you guys...just for those interested, GameStop give you $180 trade in for the Premium 360, $40 for the HD (I believe.) I went up there today to pick up a game and asked a friend that works there. Suffice to say, don't trade in your 360 for this 'Elite'.

If there's some announcement to be made Wednesday, then so be it. Until then, I just stand by waiting to make sure this still isn't some wierd, pointless falsehood.

Look at it this way; some Sony fanboy could be behind all of this, making X360 fans unhappy with thier current systems and wanting something different. Personally I wouldn't swap the units unless the 'Elite' was much more reliable 'red lights' wise.

Witbyt @ Mar 26th 2007 5:46PM

I wonder if this will come out in time for the spring update, which should be in may/june. Hmmm

VOS @ Mar 26th 2007 5:50PM

In regards to #18. I agree. Its too early in the life cycle of a system to have a major redesign like this.

CHINESE BABON @ Mar 26th 2007 5:50PM

I personally believe MS is making this move because with a larger hard drive, they can in the future sell games on line and movies, along with other large items.

joedirt131 @ Mar 26th 2007 5:50PM

@23
People buy consoles because they expect them to be the best model for a few years. They won't have to worry about upgrading for some time, because it's not like a PC. If there is a redesign, it's usually something small that doesn't really affect the console, like the slim PS2. One reason I've liked console gaming in the past is because I know I'll have the best console for a good 4-6 years before a new model is released. It's not like PC gaming, where a month after buying a new graphics card, a better one comes out. But that's kind of how I feel with the Xbox 360 Elite, since I just got it at Christmas, and already a better model is being released.

Andrew Hawker @ Mar 26th 2007 5:55PM

It better be loaded with the 65nm chip.

VOS @ Mar 26th 2007 6:02PM

In regards to #29. Its hard to compare "upgrades" between a PC and a 360. Console have few and far between upgrades as compared to a PC. You saw how long it too for the slim PS2 to come about. As soon as you buy a PC from a retailer and leave the parking lot, theres already something else out there bigger and badder. PC upgrades are a regular thing.

sracer @ Mar 26th 2007 6:29PM

Nice to see that this thing (Elite) may actually be real. But I'll only be interested in replacing my premium if (A) it is priced at the current price of the Premium (or lower) and (B) the DVD drive is as quiet as my Pioneer DVD player.

FanBoyy @ Mar 26th 2007 7:03PM

Get free xbox 360 games like Halo 3 and Gears of war at http://www.360gamesforfree.com.

Its super easy to do I just got my 2 games in the mail yesterday!

Jahcure @ Mar 26th 2007 7:07PM

Am i reading right? Some of you are glad that your console, which is less than a year and a half old, is broken already just so you can go spend another 500$ on another one?

What am i missing here? How is it that broken game consoles from Microsoft are simply accepted for that and what's even more scary is people would like theirs to break to reinvest in a more expensive one..

WOW

MattF @ Mar 26th 2007 7:46PM

Since some people have been saying that the debug kits are also black, I thought I might link to a pic of a real debug kit, one that arrived in our office just a few weeks ago (even after those production shots were taken). After seeing the debug kits up close, I can tell you that for one simple reason these units are not debug kits -- because the drive cover is metal. No debug kit uses a metal drive cover; instead it's plastic, the same plastic used on the rest of the unit. And since my kit is about as new as they get, I snapped a picture for you to judge for yourselves:

http://www.shamblersgame.com/images/360_debug.jpg

Blaine Train @ Mar 26th 2007 8:22PM

THERE WILL BE NO TRADE IN PROGRAM. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A 360 AND WANT TO GET THE ELITE YOU ARE F*CK UNLESS YOU JUST FORK OVER AROUND $479 to $500 FOR THAT PS3 LOOK A LIKE

Gemini Ace @ Mar 26th 2007 9:22PM

So, do we know if the hard drive will be sold separately?

ZeroCorpse @ Mar 26th 2007 9:52PM

I'm glad for this redesign, but I'm not getting one. Why should I feel bitter, though? My 360 works great (and quiet; BenQ drive in mine) and I don't have HDMI on my HDTV. I can get the bigger hard drive later, and black is cool but not a deal-maker.

And let me point out that this does NOT "make the 360 the same price as the PS3" because some people DON'T WANT HD MOVIE PLAYBACK and therefore don't want a $200 movie-playing technology on their system, whether it's built-in and you pay for it (like on the PS3) or it's an add-on (like on the 360). It's completely unfair to figure the HD DVD player in the cost of the 360, because it's not part of the out-the-door price for your game console.

If you count the HD DVD drive on the 360, then you have to count the hard drive, camera, and network adapter on the PlayStation 2 as part of the equation, even though they were items that not everyone needed, wanted, or could use.

OPTIONAL items are not part of the price. Don't artificially inflate the price with these optional things (like the HD DVD drive) if you want to be taken seriously. It's lame and desperate.

Some people buy a game console to- gasp! - PLAY GAMES, and that's all. For those people, the 360 is still the better bargain, even when considering the Elite.

I won't get an Elite for the same reason I won't get a PS3-- There's a lot of junk I just don't need on my game console. Bigger hard drive? I'm there. HDMI? Worthless to me, and not that big an improvement (it any at all) to warrant swapping from an older model.

Call me when they sell one that's 3/4 the weight, half the size, comes with the WiFi built in, and a 200GB hard drive, standard. THAT's a worthy upgrade. HDMI is just for whiner videophiles who feel inadequate if they aren't using every jack on their TV.

Benny @ Mar 26th 2007 10:01PM

I work at GameStop and the trade-in value for the 360 has been bumped up from 150 to 190 with a wireless controller and 180 for wired controller and then the hard drive trades in for 25, so basically 215 for a premium 360. I believe they bumped up the trade-in value to get ready to take pre-orders on the elites, and game informer says the elite will cost $479.