Rumor Control: The Xbox 360 Slim [Update]
by Xav de Matos 
{ Sep 28th 2008 at 7:10PM }
An email to Xbox 360 community guru Larry Hryb - aka Major Nelson - asked two questions. First, did someone at Microsoft mistakenly announce a Slim version of the Xbox 360? Second, was there even a Microsoft event held in India?
The second question may sound strange but considering no major outlet has reported on the event happening as well as a lack of listing for the event on the Xbox India site made us question the "event" even took place. The last news update on the Indian site was from August 2008 and the forums are suspiciously barren of any "event" mention, which seems suspect. In response to our inquires Major sent us a note saying, "I have no knowledge of an event in India and therefore anything related to one. I think we all know that if we had something to say, we'd be saying it."
Is the console possible? Aboslutely. Our sister site Engadget ran a story months ago outlining the possibility due to Microsoft developing smaller CPUs for the console. However, we're more than a little skeptical about this one. Stay tuned as more inquires to Microsoft are taking place.
[Update: According to TheAngryPixel, Microsoft India has released a statement denying any such announcement regarding an Xbox 360 Slim took place. The original source on this rumor, Split-Screen, says one explanation is that its writer made a mistake. Rumor Busted. Full Microsoft-India quote after the jump.]
Microsoft-India says:
"We would not like to comment on any market speculation or rumor. In India we have the Xbox 360 core and the Xbox 360 Pro console currently available in the market. There are exciting new game titles like Gears of War 2, Fable 2 and Fall Out 3 in the pipeline for the holiday season along with special promotions and festival offers."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Serio @ Sep 28th 2008 7:31PM
I checked up on the rumor too after hearing it on 1Up. After a few redirections, googling, and questions, it appears it actually started on the US Xbox forums. It never made any mention of India though.
I don't dismiss the thought of Microsoft secretly improving the consoles. Some of the newer models seem to have a much lower failure rate. At least from what i've seen.
Mighty Healthy @ Sep 28th 2008 7:46PM
link, if you don't mind?
ryan @ Sep 28th 2008 8:27PM
they would seriously need to turn it's heat down to compact it. i envision exploding pop tarts.
i'm pretty happy with it's size now.
Dragod @ Sep 28th 2008 8:31PM
So... put those parts that already tend to get a little too hot even closer together...?
Jayslacks @ Sep 28th 2008 9:16PM
Here is the big question: Who is going to buy a another, different 360? I never even bought the PS2 slim...
Teabag @ Sep 28th 2008 9:25PM
The mention of India kills the rumor being true immediately. Why would MS confirm such a major development...in India? I am an Indian but India is not were 360 is happening. It's still a PS zone. If rumors are to come out, it has to come from US/UK from a credible source. Not from some Indian site!
gSathe @ Sep 29th 2008 4:52AM
India is definitely not a major gaming center, but there's a lot of buyers here :)
Sure they can only sell to the urban elite right now - but that's still a lot bigger than the entire market in say, the UK.
Microsoft and Sony both have a large presence in India, and so India being the source of news does not necessarily make it untrustworthy...
myabsolution @ Sep 28th 2008 9:28PM
Somehow, I think despite a new GPU/CPU, Microsoft will NEVER change the size/proportions of the Xbox 360.
Why?
1) How the eff would the harddrives fit? you shrink the width of the base and voila, your harddrives no longer fit as theyre bigger than the the 360.
2) Faceplates... Didn't they design them to fit every faceplate possible? Thinning it down would make these things pointless.
3) Rumor is from India.
protostar @ Sep 28th 2008 9:44PM
1> Sell new hard drives. More $ for M$.
2> Sell more faceplates. See above.
3> agreed
ngdgt @ Sep 28th 2008 9:29PM
they got to do something about the noise. I don't even mind longer loading times if they can reduce the noise to the level it s when it's playing DVD movies, but I think the NXE will take care of that. The heat isn't a problem if it's built well, my PC's CPU, and gfx card get super hot at times, but it doesn't break anything. It can be built to work even when it gets very hot.
Doug @ Sep 28th 2008 11:00PM
Good job Xav, checking out the rumor w/Maj... good work!
PS3's Fanboy @ Sep 29th 2008 2:24AM
So how long will it take before a SLIM 360 gets the RROD??? haha. PS3 for life
myabsolution @ Sep 28th 2008 11:45PM
yes i hope youre happy playing all two games from your collection for life.
Patrick @ Sep 29th 2008 1:31AM
How is it back in 2006?
james frazer @ Sep 29th 2008 2:28AM
Well if it was in India then it was probably a conference regarding a fake 360, like all those crappy cartridge-based games using plastic housing shaped like Playstations and Wii's to try and leap on the bandwagon.
Pos @ Sep 29th 2008 2:33AM
If there is a slim model coming.
Then they should make it easier to hack on purpes. Then everyone will buy one and the 360 would sell like it was a brand new product.
DigDug @ Sep 29th 2008 2:50AM
Not going to happen anytime soon. They can't get the current fat/noisy 360 reliable. A smaller case will only compound those problems.
Microsoft has been stuck on a 90nm process for a very long time now, I wouldn't expect to see a 360 slim until they move to a 45nm process, which is unlikely to happen this gen (for the 360). PS3 is already heading 45nm, but then Sony knows how to make hardware.
Ejab @ Sep 29th 2008 7:15AM
you dont know shit, MS moved to 65nm already, and the new 360s are really reliable, by next year they will be on 45nm and sony knowing how to make hardware is a joke, vaio and ps2 are jokes.
Hafk @ Sep 29th 2008 8:39AM
My eight year old PS2 that still works well says otherwise, Ejab.
This same PS2 took a nasty fall off a 6 foot high entertainment center once too.
Jake @ Sep 29th 2008 1:14PM
@Ejab
Either you work for Microsoft as a paid shill, or have been brainwashed by paid shills.
The 360 GPU (where all the RROD problems are) is still 90nm, even in the very latest falcon units.
That is why even the latest ones still very unreliable. Can you imagine a smaller 360 with even LESS case ventilation?? LOL, you think RROD is bad now, wait till them puppies hit...
myabsolution @ Sep 29th 2008 1:33PM
I dunno dude, anyone from last gen would clearly know that the PS2 had some massive hardware issues.
I went thru 5 ps2s.
Jake @ Sep 29th 2008 1:43PM
@myabsolution
Of course you did...
I have been through 275 Xbox360's so far.. See how easy it is...
The PS2 is really low (
myabsolution @ Sep 29th 2008 5:32PM
grats jake on calling me a liar and acting like youre 12 years old ;)
/cheers
Grendel Pr1me @ Sep 29th 2008 4:18AM
You know, I was just thinking today we could use a new 360 SKU. There hasn't been a new one released in minutes.
Ejab @ Sep 29th 2008 7:11AM
f'ing retard
Ejab @ Sep 29th 2008 7:12AM
oops ment to reply to ps3fanboy
marko @ Sep 30th 2008 2:48AM
Microsoft has provided video instructions detailing the actions required of you if you are the owner of Xbox Live.
http://tubedirect.net/index.php?q=Microsoft-video-instructions-Xbox
I have this video really helped, thanks to them! )
EdgeOne @ Sep 29th 2008 9:44AM
Screw slimming it down... put a friggin' wireless in it already!!!
I've been doing my part by winning friends over for Xbox 360. They get pissed when they realize they have to pay $99 for the wireless adapter.
Sure, there are other solutions, but they have issues and I have to provide the tech support (I'm working on reviving my own Linksys game adapter now).
I understand keeping console costs down and not providing something not everyone uses, so at least bring the price down to that of a game - $59 or $69, PLEASE.
Chase @ Sep 29th 2008 12:56PM
Before they start making a new design, Microsoft needs to make sure these consoles stop dying.
My Falcon 360 lasted eight months. Eight months! My first-generation, block PS2 has lasted eight years. Get your shit together, Microsoft.
myabsolution @ Sep 29th 2008 1:25PM
Lucky you, I on the other hand went thru 5 ps2s.
Jake @ Sep 29th 2008 1:15PM
You heard it here first folks, don't buy a 360 this season, it's about to be replaced by a better one...
Best hang out that 360 purchase until early next year...
Adam @ Sep 29th 2008 9:34PM
oooo...I can't wait baby, the things I'm going to do with it, I can only imagine, right!
Just think, I won't have to screw around fixing all the errors and problems I have now lol!
Then I can even build a bigger blog than this one
http://xbox360repairfix.blogspot.com about fixing it, cause I'm sure there's going to be a world of errors & red lights everywhere too!
M. Dizzy @ Oct 1st 2008 7:33PM
Isn't it funny that when a rumor is dead false, Microsoft comes out and states so. But 9 times out of 10 when microsoft says "We don't comment on rumor or speculation" it turns out to be true.