Cheap remote included in x360 preimum

[jvd]

Bundled remote

sold seprately


Whats up with this ? Looks like there are windows features missing from this remote ?

 

[DeathKnight]

Argh. This has already been argued over plenty at the TeamXbox boards. Now it's spilling over to this board.

You do realize the only buttons that were removed are the numbers and volume/channel. Channel functions were moved to the X and A buttons. Do you have a media center PC where you need the extra buttons? Do you plan on controlling your TV with this remote?

Nothing but endless moaning and groaning over everything. The remote is "free" and people are complaining it's not the "full-featured" one that's sold separately.

 

[jvd]

Yes and yes .

I would like to power my tv and dish. I don't wnat to press channel up going from channel 2 to 600 .

Anyway they are saying media remote packed in and the one on the offical site is diffrent than the pack in . Crappy marketing

Also its not free. Its costing me part of a 100$

 

[Carl B]

Now, why would people be complaining about this incredible deal they're being offered? Hmmm - I wonder.

What it really means is that after the special edition launch version plays out, the $399 premium will no longer be offered with a remote of any sort.

 

[Inane_Dork]

What it really means is that after the special edition launch version plays out, the $399 premium will no longer be offered with a remote of any sort.

If you're going to be nothing but negative, yep.
But you'd have to ignore the strong possibility of game pack-ins later on (2 launch game or 10 top Xbox games, maybe).
And you'd have to preclude the possibility of the fully featured remote becoming part of the package, too.

Hey, if we're going to get into spinning things, we should also start spinning Sony's complete lack of PS3 presence.

 

[DeathKnight]

Then use your TV and DISH remotes that you're already using.

The remote IS a media remote. It's not the universal one, but it certainly retains all the media functions.

It is essentially "free". The hard drive attachment alone is $100 extra. If you purchased the core system and then started adding on all the extras that are included in the $399 SKU you'd be well above $399. It's "free".

Stop complaining. It's amazing that people complain over getting more for less. It happens all too often with customers at our computer shop. They complain over free upgrades like the doubling of hard drive space from a 40 to an 80GB drive. One customer who was wanting a laptop requested a specific model and we could no longer get that exact model. We responded back with the next higher up model that even had a better screen (widescreen and higher res) and offered the upgrade at no extra cost. He complained and accused us of baiting and switching... pathetic.

Stop all the belly-aching.

 

[Carl B]

If you're going to be nothing but negative, yep.

But you'd have to ignore the strong possibility of game pack-ins later on (2 launch game or 10 top Xbox games, maybe).
And you'd have to preclude the possibility of the fully featured remote becoming part of the package, too.[/quote]

Hey, indeed likely - though they're going to have to keep a certain price differential going between the 'Core' and the 'Premium' to continue to justify $99 hard drive add-ons. Not sure then that a full game could be bundled in and do so; unless it's an 'old' game into the consoles life.

Hey, if we're going to get into spinning things, we should also start spinning Sony's complete lack of PS3 presence.

Sometimes Sony can fight even when they're not present.

Anyway the truth is I don't have an issue with Microsoft's price whatsoever; I'm not stepping up to bash them.

BUT, at the same time I will stand to oppose those who say that what Microsoft has offered us is a 'golden opportunity,' because the truth is most of them were expecting better as well. This remote thing - well, people have cause to feel disconcerted. How much more would it have been just to throw in the regular?

 

[DeathKnight]

A bit more. Compound that cost over millions and it adds up. When you're in the business to make money you have to make decisions like that. It happens all the time everywhere. In general we've lost computer bids over mere dollars, but since the bid was for a significant amount of machines it adds up.

The problem here is that people want one SKU: the $399 SKU... but they want it at the $299 pricepoint. That's simply not going to happen with everything that's in there. Then when they offer a no-frills SKU that's aimed toward the casual gamer and buying parents so those folks actually have a choice (instead of being forced into the $399 pricepoint), all the forum-goers are up in arms.

 

[jvd]

Then use your TV and DISH remotes that you're already using.

I'm only using one . I would like to keep it that way . Ms is bundling a remote with the system why can't it be a full feature one ?

That is the problem with bundles . They put in useless crap. Where is a 350$ version with just the hardrive and a wireless controller ? I don't want the head set , face plate and remote (that doesn't have all the features) esp since i'm going to have to rebuy the remote

It is essentially "free". The hard drive attachment alone is $100 extra. If you purchased the core system and then started adding on all the extras that are included in the $399 SKU you'd be well above $399. It's "free".

Na its not free because i will need to repurchase the real remote .


THe wireless controller isn't free because the hardrive costs 100$ . It actually costs me a the price of a wired controller that was removed in place of it . A free wireless controller would be a second controller in the bundle .

Stop complaining. It's amazing that people complain over getting more for less. It happens all too often with customers at our computer shop. They complain over free upgrades like the doubling of hard drive space from a 40 to an 80GB drive. One customer who was wanting a laptop requested a specific model and we could no longer get that exact model. We responded back with the next higher up model that even had a better screen (widescreen and higher res) and offered the upgrade at no extra cost. He complained and accused us of baiting and switching... pathetic.

Was he complaining because u were giving him useless crap to increase the cost of the unit ? Because that is what i see this as doing .

There are only a few things on the accessory list that are actualy price properly and aren't a rip off. I'm sorry but 100$ for a 20 gig hardrive ? 50$ for a wireless controller ? 100$ for wifi ?

They are basicly screwing early adopters drasticly . Esp with things like wifi that will come included in the base package from both rivals .

 

[PARANOiA]

A bit more. Compound that cost over millions and it adds up. When you're in the business to make money you have to make decisions like that. It happens all the time everywhere. In general we've lost computer bids over mere dollars, but since the bid was for a significant amount of machines it adds up.

The problem here is that people want one SKU: the $399 SKU... but they want it at the $299 pricepoint.

DeathKnight: you're missing the point entirely. The complaint is that the remote bundled has less features than an off-the-shelf remote.

The point is not that MS aren't in this to make money. They are, cost-cutting with cheap parts on a quote-unquote 'premium' bundle.

 

[Inane_Dork]

Hey, indeed likely - though they're going to have to keep a certain price differential going between the 'Core' and the 'Premium' to continue to justify $99 hard drive add-ons. Not sure then that a full game could be bundled in and do so; unless it's an 'old' game into the consoles life.

Well, there's lots of stuff they can do. Shrink the price gap, add games, add hardware, add free gold Live, etc. And yeah, they will have an interesting time trying to maintain both SKUs as feasible while adding and subtracting those things.

BUT, at the same time I will stand to oppose those who say that what Microsoft has offered us is a 'golden opportunity,' because the truth is most of them were expecting better as well. This remote thing - well, people have cause to feel disconcerted. How much more would it have been just to throw in the regular?

It's certainly not a golden opportunity. No arguments from me there. I'm rather at a loss as to why they made the cut down version at all.

 

[Tap In]

A bit more. Compound that cost over millions and it adds up. When you're in the business to make money you have to make decisions like that. It happens all the time everywhere. In general we've lost computer bids over mere dollars, but since the bid was for a significant amount of machines it adds up.

The problem here is that people want one SKU: the $399 SKU... but they want it at the $299 pricepoint. That's simply not going to happen with everything that's in there. Then when they offer a no-frills SKU that's aimed toward the casual gamer and buying parents so those folks actually have a choice (instead of being forced into the $399 pricepoint), all the forum-goers are up in arms.

hey, someone else who "gets it".

that's exactly how I see it too and considering they are already taking a LOSS on each piece of HW (more than likely) I can forgive them that. I run a small business and understand this strategy. Many consumers on gaming forums want everything for free (or $299).

 

[jvd]

The thing is this 400$ unit is filled with useless items .

I see no reason why they couldn't sell a 300$ wirless controller + hdd bundle .

Get rid of

20$ face plate
20$ head set
20$ remote

Your already getting 60$ of pretty much usless stuff ms is willing to loose out on to sell premium xbox 360 . So why not just drop it to 300$ with drive or heck 340$ with drive. No non hdd version

 

[Carl B]

A bit more. Compound that cost over millions and it adds up. When you're in the business to make money you have to make decisions like that. It happens all the time everywhere. In general we've lost computer bids over mere dollars, but since the bid was for a significant amount of machines it adds up.

The problem here is that people want one SKU: the $399 SKU... but they want it at the $299 pricepoint.

I agree, people want something - and sometimes what they want does not jive with reality. Still, in this case a lot of it has had to do with Microsoft's poor expectations management. Everything said and done by them recently - even their interviews - implied an HD standard, at least to start, and likely one SKU at launch.

If these little bobbles and doodads cost so much, why couldn't they just do what everyone wanted in the first place - a single SKU with a hard drive included. I'm sure they could have gone as high as $360 per unit and been fine, and left out the HD cables and the remote and the headset and the rest of it. But, that's not what they did.

 

[Acert93]

The thing is this 400$ unit is filled with useless items .

I see no reason why they couldn't sell a 300$ wirless controller + hdd bundle .

Because to MS the HDD is worth $100?

At least that is how much they are going to retail it for.

Think of it this way, the Premium Package had the $100 HDD but you also get:

- Headset ($20... necessary IMO)
- Wireless controller ($10 upgrade value)
- Component Cables ($40)
- Remote ($20)
- Ethernet Cable ($10)

So you get an extra $100 worth of stuff ontop of the HDD.

MS, in their own words, are aiming this at HD gamers with HDTVs. With the headset and ethernet cable it is clearly for Online gamers as well.

With that audiance in mind they are saving $40 in NOT having to buy additional cables, get a FREE controller upgrade, and also get a headset/ethernet cable.

Lets put it this way: HD owners will be GLAD they do not have to buy the $300 SKU and THEN buy the HD AV Cables ($40) and then the HDD ($100). They are saving $40 right there, and a wireless controller to boot.


Again, I dislike the move by MS, but what was the HDD used for this gen? Game content caching? Sounds like the 360 can do that. Addon maps? That will still happen. Music? Still in the works.

The HDD could have been an IMPORTANT part of the system, but MS lost that vision IMO (fear of expenses?) So giving people the choice is not bad... NOT what I would have done (me, William, Steve, and Peter need to sit down and talk this over) but until then we are stuck. Hmmm now how do I get onto Mercer Island without getting shot?

 

[JasonLD]

hey, someone else who "gets it".

that's exactly how I see it too and considering they are already taking a LOSS on each piece of HW (more than likely) I can forgive them that. I run a small business and understand this strategy. Many consumers on gaming forums want everything for free (or $299).

It would make a sense if MS didn't hype the hell out of HDD and wireless controllers...also, they talked about them like they would be standard on every console..I don't have any problem about price point, but fact that $299 core version is missing all the stuff that made Xb360 so great is not so great sounding strategy.

 

[Tap In]

I agree, people want something - and sometimes what they want does not jive with reality. Still, in this case a lot of it has had to do with Microsoft's poor expectations management. Everything said and done by them recently - even their interviews - implied an HD standard, at least to start, and likely one SKU at launch.

If these little bobbles and doodads cost so much, why couldn't they just do what everyone wanted in the first place - a single SKU with a hard drive included. I'm sure they could have gone as high as $360 per unit and been fine, and left out the HD cables and the remote and the headset and the rest of it. But, that's not what they did.

The HDD IS standard in the system it's just that it's $399, not $299 as many people wanted it to be.

I just don't understand. I agree with you that they COULD have offered thus and such or this and that instead of the bundle they did, but they didn't. They had to pick a list that would be the most commonly used features and to be honest, they are EXACTLY the features that I want. I will use ALL of them.

For those that want ala carte, go core and add only what you need. Yea, I know it's a rip compared to the std system but that just goes to show what a great deal the Main system bundle is!

 

[Tap In]

It would make a sense if MS didn't hype the hell out of HDD and wireless controllers...also, they talked about them like they would be standard on every console..I don't have any problem about price point, but fact that $299 core version is missing all the stuff that made Xb360 so great is not so great sounding strategy.

I disagree.

the standard stuff Wireless and HDD that they said would be there ARE there. You do not have to pay extra for it, you get it in the box at a discount below after market add-on pricing.

It's the $399 price (compared to an over-expected $299) that is the real issue here. Not that they didn't give us what they promised. IMO

 

[DeathKnight]

I'm only using one . I would like to keep it that way . Ms is bundling a remote with the system why can't it be a full feature one ?

Then don't use the remote. "But, but, but, I want to use the remote"... then use the remote... "But I don't want *god forbid* two remotes"... all I have to say to you is WAH. Why does it have to be the "full featured" one that only adds the number keys and volume control?

That is the problem with bundles . They put in useless crap. Where is a 350$ version with just the hardrive and a wireless controller ? I don't want the head set , face plate and remote (that doesn't have all the features) esp since i'm going to have to rebuy the remote

Not everyone is going to think it's useless. However, there are people like you who think the world revolves around them. Maybe there will be that $350 bundle (either from Microsoft or a retailer) down the line to appease you jvd.

Na its not free because i will need to repurchase the real remote .

That doesn't change the fact that the media remote you get with the console is indeed free. It's just not the one you wanted....

THe wireless controller isn't free because the hardrive costs 100$ . It actually costs me a the price of a wired controller that was removed in place of it . A free wireless controller would be a second controller in the bundle .

I never said the wireless controller was free did I? What I said was free was the remote.

Was he complaining because u were giving him useless crap to increase the cost of the unit ? Because that is what i see this as doing .

He was complaining because it wasn't exactly what he wanted. He could have gotten got free upgrades (better screen mainly), but refused it and accused us of baiting and switching. We never baited him in the first place and we didn't quote him a higher price for the next model up so it wasn't a switch. Obviously this situation is a little different, but the point I was trying to get at is there are always going to be people who complain about something (and that something is often utterly stupid and miniscule).

They are basicly screwing early adopters drasticly.

Every single early adopter gets "screwed" no matter what it is. Almost everything drops in price over time. I guess I got "screwed" when I bought my original Xbox on launch day for $299. There's always a premium for the latest and greatest.

DeathKnight: you're missing the point entirely. The complaint is that the remote bundled has less features than an off-the-shelf remote.

The point is not that MS aren't in this to make money. They are, cost-cutting with cheap parts on a quote-unquote 'premium' bundle.

It's missing the volume control and numbered buttons, but it's FREE. The complaint is pretty baseless and nothing more than complaining for the sake of complaining. If they were actually charging you the price of the accessory remote THEN you'd have a legitimate complaint.

Cheap parts? What cheap parts? I don't see any cost-cutting going on. They're throwing in all kinds of extras for the retail cost of a single hard drive attachment and it itself is included too. They're reducing their margins to slim (possibly even close to none) with the accessories they're bundling in there and only charging you $100 for.

People LOVE to complain. People want everything their way too.

 

[Tap In]

.... (me, William, Steve, and Peter need to sit down and talk this over) but until then we are stuck. Hmmm now how do I get onto Mercer Island without getting shot?