Microsoft on Monday introduced a slimmer version of its Xbox 360 console during demonstrations of its controller-free Kinect (neé Natal). The unveiling came during E3 2010, the premiere gaming expo.
The new Xbox 360 costs the same as the current console $299 and starts shipping to retailers today, according to Microsoft. The redesigned 360 includes a 250-GB hard drive (up from 120 GB) and built-in 802.11N Wi-Fi connectivity. Microsoft also claims the new Xbox runs quieter than previous versions.
Built in wifi is a definite plus, as the 360 was the only console lacking support out of the box. Whether the N functions at both the 5GHz and 2.4GHz or just the 2.4Ghz like Apple’s new iPhone 4 (and many, many cheap notebooks) remains to be seen.
It sort of looks like what would have come from Sony, had they designed the Wii.
