360 Slim 4GB OR 250GB

The new Xbox 360 Slim is immense compared to the PS3 and the Wii, and if your asking why, then read on and I will tell you. Its got a lot of new features then the old Xbox 360, for instance, it has a new sleek design, built in WiFi, a whisper quiet system and the big boom here, the Kinect add on. There's sure to be some talk about this new system and its upgraded features, for now let me inform you on everything about the new Xbox 360.
For those of you who don't know what comes with Xbox 360, let me tell you. It has Xbox live which lets you connect with friends and people around the world to play with and contact each other. It also allows you to access the game marketplace where you can find new games to download, the music marketplace where you can access Zune and last.fm, the video market place which lets you watch videos from the following places: Zune which allows you to watch, rent and buy HD videos, Netflix when downloaded gives you movies to watch instantly and ESPN where you can get over 3,500 events. Plus you are able to create your own avatar which is shown to you and your friends on the Xbox Dashboard and you can customize him/her up from head to toe with clothes and accessories.
A new glossy black sleek design for the Xbox 360 Slim is the makeover that has been done to the old clunky Xbox 360. The new Xbox 360 slim is 17 percent smaller than the old Xbox 360 and is now touch-sensitive to the power and disk tray, plus there are now 5 USB ports, 2 in the front and 3 in the back.
The built-in WiFi allows you to access the internet wirelessly and lets you instantly get HD videos, music, movies and more.
One good fan instead of those two none consistent fans makes the new Xbox 360 slim quieter, smoother running and no chance of getting the red ring of death. The system will now shut down in the case of overheating.
Another good upgrade that the Xbox 360 Slim has is the Kinect add-on. Kinect allows you to play games without a controller and you pretty much are the game. You can control the games and movies with you talking into it or waving your hand and you pretty much interact with it like your in the whole set up.

360 Red Ring fix

The Xbox 360 red ring death fix is something that many gamers end up searching for online when they are faced with the red rings. Instead of spending time enjoying playing your games you are now faced with the problem of fixing your console.
There are a couple of solutions available when you are looking for a Xbox 360 red ring death fix, however you can repair the problem yourself. It does not matter if your console is new or old, you are still prone to the same problems. Even consoles that are still under warranty from Microsoft may be a struggle to repair quickly because it means sending them off to be looked at. We all know the huge amount of consoles they face in repairing, it could take weeks or even months before you have it back.
Before you start to panic and call Microsoft's expensive support lines about your Xbox 360 red ring death fix you should simply unplug your console for a couple of minutes and try to start it up again and see if the red ring is still present. If it is still there then stay calm as there is a very simple fix that you can do which could mean your console can be up and running again in a matter of hours.
This simple Xbox 360 red ring death fix is not a temporary fix like those towel or hair dryer tricks you may have seen, which end up making the problem worse in the long term. The problem you may have usually occurs from one of two problems with the design of the console which are easily fixed.
- The first problem with the design is that the thermal paste on the processor chip may have dried up causing the console to overheat all the time because it is not being cooled properly.
- The second problem is that the motherboard may have flexed to cause a problem with the contacts on it.
The Xbox 360 red ring death fix is something you can definitely do yourself with the right advice. It is really simple, even for those who lack skills with games consoles. This will save you paying out a huge sum of money and time for Microsoft or a third party repair service to do because you are able to do it yourself.
To fix the problem you have to follow these steps. This what I have done following my repair guide.
- Take the front off the console and then the sides by un-clipping them
- Take off the front and back covers, removing all of the screws
- Move the dvd-rom drive to the side to get access to the CPU and GPU heat blocks and take the clips off holding them down
- Clean the chips and the heat block surfaces and apply new thermal paste
- Use new screws to fix the heat blocks on and then re assemble your console to complete the Xbox 360 red ring death fix
The best solution is to fix both of the above problems. This is done simply by removing the case off the console and adding new paste to the processor chip which is very simple. Then you make you replace one of the brackets holding the motherboard with a couple of screws. I found this very simple to resolve the problem the first time I faced it. Even though I was in a big panic when the red lights first appeared. This is only a brief overview of the repair and you are best following a guide which has detailed videos.

The future of the 360

Computer gaming has really come a long way from past few years; we are light-years away from the ancient game consoles like the predecessors of handheld consoles with the first versions of Donkey Kong and Super Mario brothers. Gone are the days of the pixilated, two dimensional versions of Duke Nukem and Doom, they have now been replaced by updated versions with different game consoles like the Playstation and Xbox 360, or Xbox Live offering fluid and flawless graphics with superb sound and solid game play.
The gaming industry has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the economy with annual earnings not going below 10 billion and increasing each year, this also gave rise to professional gaming with young players enjoying lucrative jobs where they can play and earn, all at the same time. Game and game console manufacturers also took advantage of the advances being made over the internet and conjured up ways to enable players all over the globe to connect and play with each other. The gaming scene today, one of the leading game console manufacturers is Microsoft, with its flagship console, the Xbox and its upgraded successor, the Xbox 360 complete with online capabilities via the free Xbox Live service you get when you purchase your very own Xbox.
This latest version of the Microsoft's game console simply known as the Xbox 360 boasts a brand new appearance and an A-list motherboard called the Valhalla which allows 25 to 30 percent more space for other hardware, this is combined with the XCGPU, a first class micro processing unit that combines the Xenon Central Processing unit and Xenos Graphics processing unit, plus eDram all in one chip to create the most compact and efficient model of the game console yet. Other new features include: five standard USB ports plus a special port for the Xbox Kinect, touch sensor activated power buttons, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi for internet browsing capabilities and the free Xbox Live service, and a built in TOSLINK S/PDIF optical audio connector.
One feature of the Xbox 360 that sets it apart from other consoles and predecessor models is the ability to take advantage of a high speed Wi-Fi connection and connect to the free Xbox Live service that gives users access to online entertainment like; watching the latest movies through Netflix, following live sporting events and viewing TV shows on demand through ESPN for free Xbox Live, and listening to the top hits on the charts via Zune or Last.fm. The free Xbox Live membership enjoyed by the consoles' owners also permits them to use their Xbox 360 just like a normal PC with an internet connection, the free Xbox Live service covers Facebook, Twitter, and video Kinect, a new way to chat with and video call friends and family using the TV monitor and Kinect sensors that can recognize hand gestures. Leaving your home and your Xbox game console does not mean that cannot connect to the Xbox Live server, Microsoft already came up with the Windows phone that comes with its own free Xbox Live membership that lets its users stay in touch and in the game with all the features of Xbox Live for the Xbox 360 modified and fitted unto the palm of your hand.
Of course, the most important feature of the free Xbox Live membership service for any gamer out there is the capability to enter the Xbox Live gaming server where a vast amount of downloadable games, game upgrades or add-ons, and demos are available and more than enough to fill any hardcore gamers' appetite. Friends and family can play cooperatively or compete with each other via a plethora of action packed, hard hitting games that require tactics, teamwork, and a steady hand, in a race to get to the top spot. To the more subdued gamer, there is also a wide array of other games to choose from, like puzzle games, sports, and music themed games.
These are some of the top Xbox 360 games as rated by the International Gaming Community
Halo: A series of sci-fi inspired first person shooter games set in the futuristic 26th century that places the player into the identity of a super soldier with cybernetic enhancements battling hordes of alien life forms and robotic enemies on an artificial planet called Halo.
Starwars: Knights of the Old Republic: A role-playing games based on George Lucas' extremely successful Starwars franchise where the player assumes the role of a former Sith lord who was betrayed by his apprentice and saved by a Jedi Knight. The story follows the main characters journey from his dark past to becoming a Jedi knight and choosing to end the Sith once and for all or take advantage of its dark and powerful potential to rule the Galaxy.
Ninja Gaiden: an action-packed, third person view adventure game about a fallen ninja named Ryu Hayabusa, who was brought back to life by his clan's raven spirit to avenge the death of his clan and reclaim a legendary sword stolen by the murderers. The story is set in Japan in the fictional Vigoor Empire.
For the more "dedicated" gamer, whose insatiable gaming appetite cannot be satisfied by the free Xbox Live version, he can opt to avail of the Xbox Live Gold membership and gain access to perks like playing the full version of online games and connecting with friends, watching the latest live TV shows and HD movies instantly, listening to and downloading personalized playlists on Zune, and having unlimited connection to Video Kinect, Facebook, and Twitter. In a nutshell, the gold membership gives its holder more freedom to enjoy all the Xbox Live has to offer to the fullest.
For those looking for a cheaper way to gain the perks of a gold member, some sites offer Xbox live points that you can use to purchase games on the Xbox live website in exchange for participating in surveys. You just have to register a valid e-mail address and start answering those surveys.

Best Gaming Headphones :)

1. Sennheiser PC360
   If money is no issue and you are ready to drop some cash of a nice pair of high quality headphones, then go with the Sennheiser PC360. Sennheiser has long been known for top quality audio equipment. They have velour ear cushions to make sure your ears never get tired coupled with an open design to keep consistent ventilation. These feature an ultra-long cable for easy mobility and the microphone goes to mute when it's flipped. There is no actual mute button, all you have to do is flip it upwards!
2. Razer Megalodon
   Talk about cool - these headphones light up while using them. The Razer Megalodon connects to your computer or gaming station via USB which is an easy way to connect. They come equipped with an audio processing chip that does the work right on your ears instead of on your computer. These headphones come in at the mid-range price but also offer first rate sound - 7.1 surround sound to be exact.
3. Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5
   Finding the right headset for the Xbox 360 or the PS3 can be tricky. If you have an Xbox 360 and/or a PlayStation 3 game console, then the Turtle Beach Ear Force PX5 should be a serious contender for you. These gaming headphones are extremely expensive, however they are worth the price. These come packed with cool features like voice morphing and on-ear controls. The on-ear controls prompt you to things like low battery. The headset is both wireless and rechargeable. The headband is cushioned and breathable to ensure you don't even realize that they are on.
4. Logitech G930
   Looking for a great price on a good pair of headphones? The Logitech G930 is a perfect choice. They include the standard features such as 7.1 surround sound, wireless technology and programmable keys. A really neat feature about these is the memory foam headband that provides a super comfortable fit. A noise-canceling microphone provides clear audio that gives your peers a clear gaming experience. These provide a great value for the features they offer and the price that they come in at.
5. Plantronics GameCom 777
   Looking for the best headphones your small budget can afford? The Plantronics GameCom 777 features a great price along with some super features. Its got an extra long cord and easily concealable microphone boom. Its got "inline" mute and easy volume controls along with 7.1 Dolby surround sound. Oh and the earpiece is very comfortable to boot.

Difference between Old and New Xbox Consoles :)

The Xbox 360 is Microsoft second gaming console and was released in November of 2005 (the first being the Xbox) a year before the launch of PS3 and Nintendo Wii. In June 2010 an upgraded version of the Xbox 360 console was released replacing the old Xbox models. We shall be looking at the differences between the various Xbox 360 models to date.
Xbox 360 Core: The Xbox 360 Core was released alongside the Xbox Pro in November 2005. The console was a basic one lacking a hard drive which meant you could not store games on it nor make use of Xbox Live. The console was also not compatible with titles from Microsoft's first gaming console. One of the main issues with this console was the problem of overheating. This model was discontinued and replaced with the Xbox Arcade system.
Xbox 360 20 GB Pro:The 20GB Pro (also known as Xbox 360 Premium) was one of the consoles released in 2005. The console was capable of playing some of the titles from her groundbreaking console. Highlights of the console include the ability to play games in High Definition, connect with other gamers online and play games via Xbox live. In addition the console had a HDMI ouput with a resolution of 1080p. However this model was discontinued in August of 2008 and replaced with a 60GB version of the box at the same price. One of the problems associated with the Xbox 360 20GB Pro was the red ring of death which made the console to crash.
Xbox 360 Arcade: This system replaced the Xbox 360 Core in October of 2007 and was best suited for casual gamers. Like the "Core", the system lacked a hard drive instead a 256MB internal memory was provided which was later upgraded to 512MB. Gamers requiring extra hard drive space could however purchase an external hard drive which could be fitted externally to the console. Also included were a wireless controller, HDMI-output support and five Xbox Live Arcade games. The Arcade system was replaced in August 2010 with the 4G Xbox Slim console.
Xbox 360 Elite: This system was released in April 2007 and featured a 120GB hard drive with a black matte finish. The Xbox 360 Elite was also capable of playing some of the old Xbox titles and had support for a wireless controller and headset. It also was capable of connecting to Xbox Live where the gamer could download games and engage in multi-online play. The system had issues among which were a noisy DVD drive and cooling fan.The Xbox 360 Elite console later replaced the Xbox 360 Premium 60GB for the same price and became outdated with the release of Xbox 360 slim version.
Xbox 360 Super Elite: The console first appeared in October 2009 and had some similarities to the Xbox 360 Elite however differed in that it had a 250GB hard drive and was packaged with two wireless controller. The Xbox 360 Super Elite has been sold as a bundle with the following games: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Forza Motosport 3, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST and Final Fantasy XIII.
Xbox 360 Slim: In June 2010 Microsoft released the 250GB slim model and followed it with the release of the 4GB slim model in August of 2010. The slim consoles are replacements for all old Xbox 360 models. The slim models were an improvement on previous consoles, fixing among others issues like loud fan noise and high power consumption. Also the Xbox 360 Slim models have built-in WIFI and are Kinect ready. In terms of design the 4GB has a black matte finish, while the 250GB version has a glossy black finish.
It has been highlighted by Microsoft that the new Xbox 360 models might last another four years due to the Kinect. What we have done so far in this review is to give you an overview of the major differences between the old and new Xbox 360 consoles. Whether you should buy one of the new Xbox 360 slim versions is dependent on your requirements.