XBOX 360 Slim?

At a recent event held in Delhi, Microsoft revealed some very interesting pieces of information. For one thing, most sites have posted conspiracies and possible shots of what appeared as the console’s slim version; Engadget received a tip as far back as May concerning the planned 45nm Valhalla combined CPU / GPU motherboard design for the 360 and how it would most likely come in a new slim case.

MS execs here confirmed that the Xbox 360 Slim exists and you can expect an official announcement on the console in December.

cooldawn wrote:They'll need to do something like this pretty soon. PlayStation3 is going 45nm next year so Sony are likely to launch a slim version of the PlayStation3 ready for next years rush. It would be a big slap in the face if Sony came out with a slim version first and undercut the original XBOX360.

Cyburn2 wrote:typical SONY, makes a bulky version of the console first then a few years later release a slim version that looks more attractive.

Cyburn2 wrote:typical SONY, makes a bulky version of the console first then a few years later release a slim version that looks more attractive.

Rodders9 wrote:

Cyburn2 wrote:typical SONY, makes a bulky version of the console first then a few years later release a slim version that looks more attractive.

I really like the look of the PS3 - I much prefer it to the original PS2.

It was Nintendo that started all this "smaller lighter quieter version" with the "dog bone" NES.

Can anyone go back further?

rinks wrote:Atari VCS/2600.

something fishy wrote:

cooldawn wrote:They'll need to do something like this pretty soon. PlayStation3 is going 45nm next year so Sony are likely to launch a slim version of the PlayStation3 ready for next years rush. It would be a big slap in the face if Sony came out with a slim version first and undercut the original XBOX360.

when have either of them hit these targets on time this gen? prob be a 2010 model.

cooldawn wrote:

something fishy wrote:

cooldawn wrote:They'll need to do something like this pretty soon. PlayStation3 is going 45nm next year so Sony are likely to launch a slim version of the PlayStation3 ready for next years rush. It would be a big slap in the face if Sony came out with a slim version first and undercut the original XBOX360.

when have either of them hit these targets on time this gen? prob be a 2010 model.

It'll be earlier than 2010. Sony have already successfully manufactured 45nm so now it's just a case of gearing production lines. Sony have been pretty aggressive in trying to make the platform as cheap as possible to produce.

bear wrote:Frankly I'd prefer them to focus on making the current model quieter and integrate the PSU into the main console.

At the Human Weapon Gaming Night organised by The History Channel on Friday, September 26th, Microsoft India’s Retail Services Manager Rahul Datta was also present as various 360 games were being used to promote the event. While there, he spoke to members of the gaming press, and talked about the holiday bundle and upcoming games in the months to come.

Questioned about the 360 Slim, he said that an announcement has not been made as yet, but that one can be expected around December, without giving more details. However, speaking to Microsoft’s PR representative today, we were told that this was not what was meant, and that he had in fact said, “I haven’t heard anything about this, but if you wait for some months then who knows? Things keep evolving in this business and for now just imagine what it’d look like.”

Incidentally, they re-confirmed everything else mentioned in our story. Their official response to the story meanwhile was:

We would not like to comment on any market speculation or rumour. 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.

What does this mean? There are just 2 options as I see it:

1. Our reporter made an honest mistake. Our bad, mea culpa, big apologies.

2. Microsoft has been sitting on this announcement for a while, waiting for the right opportunity, and Rahul Datta let the cat out of the bag accidentally - after all, the official statement isn’t an outright denial either, even if it reads like one. And when asked, Microsoft’s PR reps said they could NOT offer a more definite statement…