Three Versions of XBox2?

[Dave Baumann]

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=19615

L'Inq are hypothesizing on "XBox Next", "XBox Next HD" (Hard Drive) "XBox Next PC" (PC/Media center version) with the PC version release aimed at around PS3's launch.

 

[London Geezer]

Interesting, but this is the Inquirer we're talking about......

 

[thop]

And just when i thought MS learned something from their XBOX mistakes :? This is simply not gonna work, SONY must be happy reading this.

 

[passerby]

Xbox Next PC is, according to the presentation, an entry-level PC that runs Windows and all standard PC software.

My crystal ball predicts we will see the first virus-infected console in history!

 

[Phil]

thop - on what grounds do you think this would not work out well for MS?

(not about to debate, just genuinely interested as I'm really not feeling too well to make up my own mind just yet... :? )

 

[McFly]

This sounds so stupid, it could be true.

Fredi

 

[hey69]

i think MS took those "3 diferent versions of PS3" rumors back in the day too serious

 

[ChryZ]

Why not make the HD/VGA/keyb/mouse an upgrade option? ... oh wait

 

[London Geezer]

Xbox Next PC is, according to the presentation, an entry-level PC that runs Windows and all standard PC software.

My crystal ball predicts we will see the first virus-infected console in history!

Doesn't need to be........ (u'll gonna think about this in a while and laugh)

 

[one]

So, with Xbox Next PC, after 8 or so years absense of RISC NT kernel, MS starts to release it for possible replacement of x86/x86-64/IA64 to compete with Dell and other PC manufacturers? WinNT 4.0 for PPC had "Win32 x86 Emulation on RISC" so Xbox Next PC will be able to run legacy non-.NET unmanaged x86 Win32 apps on it, but how will it affect the releationship with Intel/AMD/others in not-so-unclear-under-the-table level and in i'll-sue-you-for-antitrust-violation level? Just too much ambitious for MS, IMO.

 

[pahcman]

Xbox Next PC sounds great! May be the HTPC solution im looking for.

For the record, there are already "3-4 different versions" of PS2 - regular, PS2 BB Unit, PSTwo, PSX and "2 different versions" of GC - GC, Q.... IIRC.

 

[rabidrabbit]

I really don't know if that is smart or stupid from MS :?
Three different versions seem a bit too much though, two would make more sense (non HDD and PC versions)

Somehow I get the feeling Microsoft are losing focus on the console battle.
Why would they release a HDD version of xbox2? To bring backwards compatibility to those who already own xb1, making the non-HDD xb2 a console for xbox novices?

Will the HDD version have media box capabilities, and if so how limited wil they be compared to the PC xbox?

Are the mass consumers smart enough to know which version they would like to buy? If PS3 is approximately comparable to the xb2 HDD version, will the people find it more simple to go for the one simpler solution?

Will three different console versions mean even more losses in hardware for Microsoft? Will they be able to cut the manufacturing costs of three different versions?

Will all games be still compatible with the basic xb2? That would mean the HDD will only be used as a media player (/recorder).

Th xbox2 PC is not upgradable by consumer. Why would one want to buy this instead of a real (Media)PC and the basic xbox, or a real (Media) PC and PS3?
The xbox2 PC is able to play PC games too? Will it have enough PC power to run the games of that time as well as a "real" PC? Will it be able to run the top PC games of that time, or are you limited to play PC games of yesteryear?
Will the xbox2 PC have the same graphics processor, CPU and memory as the basic xbox2 to retain compatibility with console games? It will probably have XP Media Edition OS. Will it be too slow for top PC games of that time?
Will it cause the PC games development to slow down technically because they would be designed also for xbox2 (already it can be seen with PC/xbox games like the latest Deus Ex, Thief... and I do have my fears about HL2 )

 

[rabidrabbit]

Xbox Next PC sounds great! May be the HTPC solution im looking for.

For the record, there are already "3-4 different versions" of PS2 - regular, PS2 BB Unit, PSTwo, PSX and "2 different versions" of GC - GC, Q.... IIRC.

You forgot to mention the PS2 with HDD and PS2 with HDD and BB

Well, if one wants to nitpick, one could also count the different DVD-ROM station versions inside xbox (Samsung, Thomson, Philips...) some of which read +R -R RW discs, some of which do not, different HDD's (8GB, 20GB, different manufacturer's...), those connected to Live vs. those not, xbox with DVD movie play, xbox without DVD movie play, modded xbox, non-modded xbox, different revisions of xbox dashboard, xbox with original huge controller, xbox with smaller controller, different color xboxes, and isn't there going to be soon some xbox media player extension to the dashboard...

 

[London Geezer]

I think that the y could do this as long as the main attractor of the Xbox - gaming - is intact , equal and compatible among the different versions of the hardware. Like it is today.

 

[pahcman]

Somehow I get the feeling Microsoft are losing focus on the console battle.

If they are, then its probably no less focus lost than Sony.

However this news is taken off some third party source, whereas IIRC SCEE Manager came forward and say the same thing about different PS3 versions. If you keep track on many interviews, you know Kutaragi direction for Playstation is hardly console gaming focus.

Sure there are many questions to ask, but without any more concrete info, we have to take this news at face value, and i am hesitant to make any conclusions.

You forgot to mention the PS2 with HDD and PS2 with HDD and BB

That would be the PS2 BB Unit.

Well, if one wants to nitpick, one could also count the different DVD-ROM station versions inside xbox (Samsung, Thomson, Philips...) some of which read +R -R RW discs, some of which do not, different HDD's (8GB, 20GB, different manufacturer's...), those connected to Live vs. those not, xbox with DVD movie play, xbox without DVD movie play, modded xbox, non-modded xbox, different revisions of xbox dashboard, xbox with original huge controller, xbox with smaller controller, different color xboxes, and isn't there going to be soon some xbox media player extension to the dashboard...

Nothing to do with nitpicking. I think you need to better understand the current scenario first.

 

[London Geezer]

Yeah and then there's the PS2 with the N.E.R.D. sticker on its side, and the Silver PS2 with fluffy trolls attached to the top, right next to the EYETOY.

I don't see an issue. They are all compatible with what 99% of the people bought them for: games.
Same will be for the Xbox2, or any other console, if it comes out with different flavours.

 

[pahcman]

Same. I dont see much issues either. If anything, Xbox PC sound intriguing. Hence im quite surprise with some replies. Like i say, this scenario is more or less in place now, and even past consoles with funny cross breeding.

 

[Nick Laslett]

Is it true that Longhorn will be compatible with Xbox2 and Xbox1 games?

Doesn't this negate the need to buy a console when you will be able to play all these games on your PC?

 

[Mariner]

I'd be happy if a "XBox Next HD" was available and came with TiVo-style features for use as a PVR in addition to a games console.

Probably too much to ask, though (and even if it did have these features the thing probably wouldn't work with my bloody cable connection).

 

[Shogmaster]

XBox 2 PC Edition? Running Windows on mulitiple G5 succesor equipped hardware? What's next, running OSX on a PC?