When is the best time to buy a 360 ??

somaKing · 25-10-2006, 9:08 AM

Hiya,

Does anyone know whether there will be any new package deals before/after Xmas? I was hoping for a price drop when the PS3 was due out in Nov - but don't expect this will happen until March now. Best deals I've seen are around £299 for premium package plus a game or £280 for premium, extra controller + game.

I also remember reading that Bill Gates said the 360 would drop in price each year to ensure it's competitive edge in the market, but haven't heard any news about this since.

I also read that in the new year there would be a new build 360 (new chipset or something ??) that would solve a lot of the overheating/noise issues. Does anyone know whether this is true or just another rumour?? If so I think I'll wait as I'm not keen to experience the 'ring of doom' problems that I've read about so often.

I'm going to have a bit of redundancy money to spend soon, so don't think I can wait until March to get my 360, but will happily wait until after Xmas if it means I can get an extra game or a bit of kit thrown in for free.

Cheers !!

Bilbob · 25-10-2006, 9:23 AM

Price drop: unlikely given the lack of competition. Bundles? Quite likely, although I doubt the offer of premium + extra controller and game for 280 will get better, game might change though.
A bundle of Premium and HD DVD drive is quite likely, don't back on it until after christmas though.
There WILL be a new build of the 360, it's a smaller processor to reduce heat... don't expect these to be around to buy until at least march, maybe later, so don't hold your breath! Most of the heat issues are sorted now anyway, and even if they ain't, wait until yer 360 is nearly a year old and send it back, you'll get a new one

Have fun!

tigernuts · 25-10-2006, 9:29 AM

About half past three in the afternoon, statisically the safest, especially if you wear a tin helmet.

Some bundles knocking about, thought I saw HMV offering premium with pgr 3 and extra wireless controller and a free copy of Dale Carnegie's How To Win Friends And Influence People On Xbox Live* for £299. Don't know if this is the best but shop aorund.

*honestly.

chrisafc · 25-10-2006, 9:59 AM

I got from toys r us, in store.

Premium
Extra Controller
PGR 3
Amped 3
Final Fantasy (Which i sold)

299.99

I was really ****** when the changed the deal, as dead or alive 4 was with this just 2 days before i bought it...you can imagine the frustration.

Mercules · 25-10-2006, 10:51 AM

The best time was yesterday, and you 're to late, so not tomorrow but now!

HD-Gaming brought by MS today, not in march, not next year but today!

Munkey Boy · 25-10-2006, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somaKing

Hiya,

Does anyone know whether there will be any new package deals before/after Xmas? I was hoping for a price drop when the PS3 was due out in Nov - but don't expect this will happen until March now. Best deals I've seen are around £299 for premium package plus a game or £280 for premium, extra controller + game.

I also remember reading that Bill Gates said the 360 would drop in price each year to ensure it's competitive edge in the market, but haven't heard any news about this since.

I also read that in the new year there would be a new build 360 (new chipset or something ??) that would solve a lot of the overheating/noise issues. Does anyone know whether this is true or just another rumour?? If so I think I'll wait as I'm not keen to experience the 'ring of doom' problems that I've read about so often.

I'm going to have a bit of redundancy money to spend soon, so don't think I can wait until March to get my 360, but will happily wait until after Xmas if it means I can get an extra game or a bit of kit thrown in for free.

Cheers !!

MS have withdrawn on their idea to have official price drops each year since news of their competition's pricing was released (ie. the PS3 costs loads) - they just don't see the need apparently. I would expect the best way you can save money is to buy a bundle pack (like you mention above) - there is a Pro Evo bundle coming out on Friday and you can bet there'll be a Gears of War bundle for Xmas.

New builds - well, the new CPU will apparently be more efficient at cooling, but it won't solve the major noise issue which is the DVD drive. Only the very early builds suffer from overheating according to MS anyway.

All in all, I wouldn't see any great advantage in waiting for a price drop, because it'll either be small or ages away, or both. Why wait two months to save £30?

Vellocet · 25-10-2006, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbob

wait until yer 360 is nearly a year old and send it back, you'll get a new one

Have fun!

A new 360 after a year? How exactly? If you send one back faulty you get a refurbed machine back..

Any news on these supposedly black 360 units?

25-10-2006, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vellocet

A new 360 after a year? How exactly? If you send one back faulty you get a refurbed machine back..

Any news on these supposedly black 360 units?

What about this fabled HDMI lead. Maybe the new build will include the digital video out and a built in HD DVD.
It's all conjecture though, it's up to you to make your own mind up and whatever happens you can rest assured that you made the best, most informed choice at the time.

Gamestation are doing 360 + PGR + additional wireless controller + any other game (including the pre order for Gears) for £309.

ukkev2000 · 25-10-2006, 3:37 PM

The time is RIGHT NOW. I mean how much are you going to save with a bundle deal? £30? £40? Insignificant amounts compared to the fun you'll be having.

The problem is that the longer you leave it, the more games you will have to play, and that's a right Rse because you'll have 5 or 6 games you want to play and you won't be able to choose

GRAW, COD2 COD3, PES6, GoW, Rainbow6, Splinter Cell, Test Drive, Saints Row, then while you're getting through that lot, FORZA2, HALO3, BioShock, Assasins Creed turn up... you need to get started ASAP because fitting all those in and watching all those HD-DVD movies... you'll be glad you ain't got a job, you won't have time for one

Just one question - you DO have a HD Ready TV?

kevlar · 25-10-2006, 3:46 PM

Best time to get a 360 = 2/12/05

patrober · 25-10-2006, 3:54 PM

I wouldnt be surprised if there is a decent bundle with the hd-dvd drive around christmas. At least , thats what i am hoping for...

W1zz · 25-10-2006, 4:38 PM

Can't see a HD-DVD bundle before Xmax myself - Stocks of these things are going to be short.

They'll have trouble getting stock for the current Xbox360 owner market.

somaKing · 26-10-2006, 8:08 AM

Cool. Cheers for all your views/advice. Was mainly concerned as everytime I've bought a console in the past it's been reduced the following week. Gutting when that happens!

I've got a nice big HDtv ready, but didn't want to spend £400 odd on kit if I knew something was being released a month later for better value or, more importantly, more stable.

Cheers guys

leeb · 26-10-2006, 9:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevlar

Best time to get a 360 = 2/12/05

I remember that date well!

grimoor · 26-10-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by W1zz

Can't see a HD-DVD bundle before Xmax myself - Stocks of these things are going to be short.

They'll have trouble getting stock for the current Xbox360 owner market.

I wouldn't be surprise if some shops put some HD-DVD drives aside only for bundles. As what's better in the cast machine selling a HD-DVD drive on it's own or tempting someone to buy an Xbox360 & HD-DVD together.

MonkeyKnuckle · 26-10-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vellocet

A new 360 after a year? How exactly? If you send one back faulty you get a refurbed machine back..

By taking it back to the shop you bought it from, i sent mine back to gameplay.co.uk and got a fresh new one today.

And to answer the question, the best time is any time before Gears of war comes out, then buy gears of war.

Vellocet · 26-10-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyKnuckle86

By taking it back to the shop you bought it from, i sent mine back to gameplay.co.uk and got a fresh new one today.

And to answer the question, the best time is any time before Gears of war comes out, then buy gears of war.

So the retailer has to give you a new machine if you take it back to them? Ive never had a problem with mine yet but my friend has had 3 xbox 360's by ringing the MS line and getting it shipped away and a refurbed back, I didnt know the retailer had to swap it?

Im presuming yours was faulty?

**inzaman** · 26-10-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimoor

I wouldn't be surprise if some shops put some HD-DVD drives aside only for bundles.

Thats what i am thinking, or hoping, as i will be getting a 360 once this comes out; just really waiting to see if any bundles are going to be released or not.

MonkeyKnuckle · 26-10-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vellocet

So the retailer has to give you a new machine if you take it back to them? Ive never had a problem with mine yet but my friend has had 3 xbox 360's by ringing the MS line and getting it shipped away and a refurbed back, I didnt know the retailer had to swap it?

Im presuming yours was faulty?

Yeah, i had the 3 red lights, gave gameplay a call, they said it was still in warranty(12 months) and they sent a courier to pick it up then sent a new one back by courier, which i'm told has been delivered to my house today.

leicesterlad · 26-10-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigernuts

About half past three in the afternoon, statisically the safest, especially if you wear a tin helmet.

Was trying to think of some quick witted, rather unhelpful yet funny comment myself but you beat me to it

somaKing · 27-10-2006, 7:58 PM

Thing is about the HD drive... I'm happy to wait 6 months until more HD titles are released and get a 2nd hand (and virtually unused) drive from ebay for £50. I know, I'm a tight b*st*rd, but I'm on a budget!!

ps. RE: the HD Drive - you'll be able to use it with your PC as well. Bargain!

**inzaman** · 28-10-2006, 9:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somaKing

ps. RE: the HD Drive - you'll be able to use it with your PC as well. Bargain!

Is that a definite though?

Spooksta · 28-10-2006, 12:00 PM

There will be a price drop before chrimbo.... and a shocking one.

Mr.D · 28-10-2006, 12:29 PM

Expect shortages whne the hd-dvd unit is released and in the run up to christmans ...might be safer buying sooner rather later.

davieg1 · 28-10-2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooksta

There will be a price drop before chrimbo.... and a shocking one.

Are you sure ?

Do you have inside info

Spooksta · 28-10-2006, 1:20 PM

No inside info, just my suspicions.

DragonOfSilver · 28-10-2006, 1:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inzaman

Is that a definite though?

its been confirmed that the drive will show up in windows, but not whether software will play HD-DVD movies off it yet. though I'd be surprised if couldn;t.

somaKing · 29-10-2006, 3:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inzaman

Is that a definite though?

That's what I read. standard USB connection. I suppose your pc would have to be able to handle a HD source.

also see this for more info... http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/...FpMhRlimUp.php