Rumor: Leaked MS email confirms 60GB SKU, more

by Terrence Stasse { Jul 8th 2008 at 3:00PM }

Well as E3 approaches, it looks Microsoft just can't keep a lid on their announcements. The lowered price on the 20GB unit has been rumored for a while now, and the idea has even been bandied about that its purpose was to clear the shelves to make room for a 60GB unit. While this of course is still waiting on some sort of official word (likely coming around or at MS's E3 press conference), a leaked email supposedly sent out to GameStop and Blockbuster company buyers seems to confirm both the new 60GB SKU as well as a "Live Starter Pack" for Arcade owners, which consists of a 60GB HDD, 3 Months of Live, a Headset, and an ethernet cable, all for $99.99.

Additionally, the email states the 20GB HDD is being phased out altogether and that the 120GB stand alone drive will receive a price cut to $149.99 (HA!). Word is that the 60GB Pro Unit will hit before the month is out and the Live Starter Pack will hit late October or early November. Whether or not the new 60GB SKU will be subject to the new price drop is unknown, but doubtful. Likely the 20GBs at $299.99 are a fire sale, and the 60GBs will still be $349.99.

The full text of the email can be found after the break.

With the introduction of the 60GB Pro console in July, we have research that suggests it is very important to have a 60GB stand alone Hard Drive to go along with it to allow the consumer a full range of choices and values. In late October/early November (exact date TBD but most likely last week in October or 1st week in November), we will ship the Xbox 360 60GB Hard Drive, tentatively called the "Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack". This will be an excellent value price at and ERP of $99.99 with an 18% retail margin that contains:

60GB Hard Drive
3 Months of Xbox Live
Xbox 360 Wired Headset
Xbox 360 Ethernet Cable (same one that is included with Pro and Elite)

Positioning: For Xbox 360 Arcade and Core console owners, the Xbox 360 60GB Live Starter Pack offers all of the components to get onto Xbox LIVE and jump in to on line multiplayer gaming and Marketplace content downloads at an incredible value.

With the end of life of the 20GB Hard Drive and the price drop of the 120GB Hard Drive to $149.99 in September, this new 60GB hard drive will fit very well into our "Choice and Value" pillar and will fit nicely into our accessory line up. Exact SKU/UPC/Set up info will come soon and once we nail down the exact MSD, I will let you all know immediately.

Tags: 60gb, arcade, hardware, microsoft, price-cut, price-drop, pro, sku

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

untitled @ Jul 8th 2008 3:05PM

MS is real bad at keeping the lid on things.

Bluemanrule @ Jul 8th 2008 3:20PM

Thanks Terrance. Microsoft still disapoints. $149! For real!?! Well, I already have mine but I don't see this expanding their market share any time soon.

Scott @ Jul 8th 2008 3:07PM

I'm really confused about the 20GB 360 price drop and the introduction of the 60GB 360.

Is the 360 20GB going to be dropped by $50 and the 60GB introduced at $349.99? That would leave the Elite unchanged because it would have no where to move with the 60GB so close to its price. What happens with the Arcade? Dropped price or dropped altogether?

I'd rather see the 60GB introduced at $299.99 and the Elite get a price drop. MS needs to have the 360 competitive for the holidays and I can't see that happening at these price points if the 20GB is going to be allowed to end its run at $299.99 and then the 60GB is sitting at $349.99.

Terrence Stasse @ Jul 8th 2008 3:12PM

According to what we seem to know now, the first two sentences of your second paragraph are accurate.

The purpose of the rumored price drop seems to be to empty the shelves of the 20GB so the 60GB can come in at its old price.

But hey, anything could happen.

The Beta Max @ Jul 8th 2008 3:11PM

If true, this sounds like they're phasing out non-HDD equipped 360s all together. Hopefully developers use the mandatory HDDs to their advantage...

joey @ Jul 8th 2008 3:50PM

Shit is gonna hit the fan if MS allow harddrive install.
Even games like GTA IV and Mass Effect can get away with streaming off disk.

The Beta Max @ Jul 8th 2008 3:55PM

Yeah, mandatory HDD installs are garbage. But I'm pretty sure that developers can put some of the game onto the HDD so it cuts down on loading. The reason they don't do that is that some gamers don't have a HDD. Once MS requires sells the HDD on all SKUs then the developers can take advantage of that feature...

Anthony33 @ Jul 8th 2008 3:12PM

$150.00 for the 120 gb is still wayyyyy to expensive for my liking.

The Dom @ Jul 8th 2008 3:13PM

What if you're in option b, which I'm sure many are:

* Have a 20 gb HDD 360
* Only want slightly more storage, 60 GB would suffice, no way paying $150 for 120 GB

Is there going to be a standalone 60 GB for < $99 without all the crap I dont need (live subscription, headset)?

Terrence Stasse @ Jul 8th 2008 3:15PM

No one knows for sure, but it looks doubtful. Microsoft likes to make a tidy profit on their HDDs.

Trogdor @ Jul 8th 2008 3:17PM

If they don't keep the price at $299 I think it's a mistake. The PS3 is gaining momentum and in order to maintain sales I think the 360 needs to be sub $300. Maybe they'll drop it for the holidays, it's been out for 3 years, it's time to get cheaper.

Dadidito @ Jul 8th 2008 3:21PM

Have to say since i can't put in my own hdd ill be first in line for the 60gb.. I am tired of downloading on demo and delete at a time.

Dwag @ Jul 8th 2008 3:28PM

Well this seems like a smart move drop the price like how Sony did and release the new SKU all at the same time for those new coming 360 owners but its exactly like what Sony did when they wanted to phase out the 20GB and the 60GB. Well the starter pack is much better than the 20Gb HDD price so Arcade owners aren't really that screwed over.Come on $150 for a 120GB HDD is still too much and I hope the standalone 60GB HDD is $70-$80.

emirabal @ Jul 8th 2008 3:28PM

That 360 needs to drop to 250 for the low end version. i meangive me a frieking break, get wit the program

Fierod @ Jul 8th 2008 3:32PM

I hope I get a rebate on my 20gb hard drive *grumble, grumble*

Fierod @ Jul 8th 2008 3:32PM

WTF!!!!
I bought my Xbox Arcade console a little over a month ago, and it gets a price drop now??? Geez, i really do have terrible luck =/

Deezul @ Jul 8th 2008 3:40PM

WTF are you doing buying an Arcade, if you're reading X3F?

Fierod @ Jul 8th 2008 5:22PM

The reason I got an arcade was because GTA 4 was coming out, I didn't have enough for a pro and GTA, so I just got the arcade and GTA, and got the Hard Drive later.

tan @ Jul 8th 2008 8:00PM

see
GTA DID sell consoles:)

Phawx @ Jul 8th 2008 3:49PM

If I were Microsoft, I would drop the pro down to $200 just to put the burner under Sony's ass. But than again I would probably bankrupt the company.

Dwag @ Jul 8th 2008 3:55PM

The Elite needs to drop to $400 cause seriously $50 can't do me shit with the way games cost now I mean what can $50 get me a year membership but thats about it and whats that gonna do for me if I got no games for the platform. M$ needs to lower the price on alot of things.
Wireless adapter
Controllers
HDDs
Headsets(come on that wireless should be 40 if not 30)
Remote
Faceplates

Plus they needs to release more things
Different color headsets I'm still waiting for a black wireless headset.
Different color controllers(Red please)
Different color Wireless adapters the white one doesn't match my Elite.
And maybe just maybe a Different color 360s(atleast Blue and Pink to match those controllers)

Procris @ Jul 8th 2008 4:02PM

Dropping the 20gb is a big mistake in my opinion. They really should be shipping that with Arcades now and "up" the Pro's to 60gb. Down right discontinuing the 20gb in my opinion is stupid because the hard drive is just so important to every 360 owner. Seriously, i have like 1gb free on mine, what with all the DLC/Demos i have. Can't imagen how Arcade owners cope. They are almost forced to pay the ridiculous prices to get a standalone 20gb hdd.

Dropping the price on the pro is a good move but like pointed out, its probably only to clear out the old models so they can bring in the new 60gb SKU.

Fierod @ Jul 8th 2008 4:26PM

The reason I got an arcade was because GTA 4 was coming out, I didn't have enough for a pro and GTA, so I just got the arcade and GTA, and got the Hard Drive later.

Dwag @ Jul 8th 2008 4:52PM

@Procris

At first thats what I thought but now that the 60HDD Starter pack is being introduce(if even real) then Arcade owners aren't getting as screwed as they would be as usual I mean for twenty extra bucks you get 3 months of live,a headset,a HDD and a Ethernet cable considering that the Arcade stays the Same price and the Starter pack is released for 100 then the 60GB 360 looks shitty unless they give you 3 months live in the box which they probably won't.

Bucfann @ Jul 8th 2008 5:12PM

I like my 360. I really do. But what the hell is MS doing?

The HDDs should be a lot cheaper. There is no way it costs MS so much to manufacture these hard drives. $150 for a measly 60GB?! Then you got the ludicrous price for the 120 GB. MS needs to wake up. Like it or not Sony is catching up. These little "price drops" which arent enough to persuade anyone, arent going to slow down Sony.

Get with the program MS. We are over charged for everything MS has. All that garbage on Live people buy that is over priced. The price of membership for Live. And you're telling me MS cant at least have a significant price drop and make the HDDs reasonably priced?!

I swear, if Sony starts getting the games that I want to play, I will get one. Luckily for MS, I enjoy the games the 360 offers. But if they dont stop screwing us over, they will not only lose once loyal costumers, but they'll watch Sony fly right past them this generation.

Procris @ Jul 8th 2008 8:03PM

Hard drives cost the amount they do because its Microsoft's way of "making back money" and since you are forced to go with the Microsoft brand hard drive they can keep the price as high as they want.

But honestly, Microsoft aren't the only one's doing it. All 3 companies need to make profit. Sony do it and even Nintendo. For example the Sony brand HDMI cable costs far far more than just picking one off the net. In the PS2 era you were forced to by PS2 memory cards. In Uk for as long as i can remember they cost £25+ and never saw a price drop. They didn't even cost that much to manufacture. Wiimotes sell for $39.99 and thats without a numchuck. The actual Wiimote itself costs a mere $15ish for Nintendo to manufacture. Sure they need to make profit, all 3 companies do but they certainly charge you far more than it probably costs them to manufacture. The same is obviously true with 360 harddrives, just people are actually aware how much cheaper it is.

The Aggie CEO @ Jul 8th 2008 6:09PM

if there is a 60GB I wish they would drop it to the $299 price point after they sell out of the 20GB SKUs........

I'm trying to wait til Gears of War 2 comes out to get a 360 but if the price isnt gonna drop on the 60GB SKU I might as well just get the 20GB........dont think I'd download THAT much stuff off XBL anyways.......just nice to have the space.........

DeaconBlade 360 @ Jul 8th 2008 7:01PM

hmmm predictions...gotta love 'em ;) surely you guys know about this? if true, i got dibs on saying i told ya. ;)

http://www.unscripted360.com/2008/05/28/call-me-an-analyst-what-lies-ahead/2/

john @ Jul 8th 2008 7:22PM

The timing is probably just right for a 60GB sku. But don't be surprised if that spells the end for XBox Elite. Which might not be such a bad thing considering that the Elite is priced more than a 40GB PS3 with its blu-ray drive.

Dwag @ Jul 8th 2008 7:34PM

They could just lower Elite prices.

dagguis @ Jul 8th 2008 7:27PM

arcade user here, i just bought mi 360 soo i guess theyre good news? i dont have live nor headset nor HDD :(

Anticrawl @ Jul 8th 2008 7:46PM

I don't care what they do I just want a black wired controller to match my Elite. I hate the way the wireless controllers feel in my hands and I don't really need to bring my controller with me to the shitter or kitchen. Wireless mic in black would be nice though.

Jason @ Jul 8th 2008 7:48PM

I'm sorry, but who really gives a shit about this? The prices they charge for larger drives is an absolute travesty. I just bought a 750GB external drive for $140 ($130 with Google checkout), and the only reason I can't plug that into my 360 isn't for lack of a compatible port, it's Micro$oft's alienation of it's fanbase by way of avarice.

I have a 20GB model, and if I run out of room, no way am I going to shell out 100 bucks for an effing 60GB drive. They are completely on crack.

And WTF is up with Live not being free? I've paid for their infrastructure for 5 years, which is plenty. With all of the microtransactions that go through, it's inexcusable for them to continue to charge a fee.

I hate them sometimes. M$ and Nintendo are showing the same arrogance that Sony had when it was in the top spot.

Anticrawl @ Jul 8th 2008 8:01PM

I'm not sure what port you are attempting to plug it into but my external drives I have work fine via-USB on my 360. I just can't download encryped Live or 360 data onto it because that could be easily abused. I watch all my movies and tv shows via the 360 from an external drive.

Dwag @ Jul 8th 2008 8:28PM

I mean yeah now paying for online is kinda getting stupid i mean come on they charge way to much for shit that should be free with the PS3 doing some of the shit the 360 is doing they should realize that they need to make it free and let the price on there DLC,Movies and vids pay for there money hungry needs. Plus lets not forget that there programs out there that give free online even if its not official its still free and I heard one of them had 1 million people signed up. MS should realize that we don't really need them for online its just that most of are friends are there and its 'official'.

Also they need to drop the price of the Elite I mean I knew alot of friends who were gonna buy the Elite until they realized they could have gotten a PS3 for 50 bucks less and headset. I know it doesn't cost them that much to produce an Elite 360 model its just the $$$$ signs in there eyes.

Those accessories need a fucking price drop I've been waiting a while to get that piece of plastic that gives me wireless net but it cost too much and I could buy much more for 100 bucks.

Like I said before I like how they are going with the Starter Pack it keeps the Arcade owners who want online not feeling so screwed for there purchased and plus they get a lot more then some of those Pro owners mainly the 3 months live.

If MS does plan on phasing out the 20Gb then they better replace it with the 60Gb at the same price not more unless they are bundling it. Like I said Sony did it so MS should do the same if they plan on standing a fair chance once that FFXIII and God of War 3 bomb hits.

campy1022 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:15PM

Wow this pricing doesn't make sense to me. They lowered arcade to 200. And you can add a 60 GB hard drive and accessories for 100. So your total is 300 bucks. But the 60GB xbox is 350 bucks. So you can save 50 bucks and buy a game if you buy the arcade and add on 60 GB pack. Am I understanding this right?

Campy1022 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:15PM

Wow am i understanding this right?? Arcade for $200 and $100 for 60 GB harddrive and accessories. Total $300 bucks. Wait... no i would much rather pay $350 bucks for an xbox that comes with a 60GB hard drive. Pay an extra $50 bucks for what???? What am i missing?

Campy1022 @ Jul 8th 2008 10:16PM

nig b @ Jul 9th 2008 11:20AM

There is already a new SKU in Best Buys inventory for a new XBOX price point says it is $349.99. No other details are revealed on it yet. release date says july 27

Poddie @ Jul 9th 2008 4:47AM

Wow, people really need to read the article before posting (3 times in a row esp).

Campy1022, who said Arcade will be lowered to $200? Isn't it currently $280?

And Bucfann who thinks the 60GB hard drive will be $150 when the article clearly says 60GB (with extras) will be $100 and 120GB will be dropped to $150.

And Jason, that 750GB $140 hard drive you bought is clearly a 3.5" model. I don't even think they have that big in the 2.5" drives the 360 uses. In addition, all 2.5" drives are much more expensive for the same storage space, so you're comparing apples and oranges. You're right that MS charges a premium, but you're making it seem A LOT bigger than it really is.

This is one of the reasons people get so riled up about things... MISINFORMATION.