XBox 360 Pro Vs. XBox 360 Elite

The Xbox 360 gaming system is one of the premiere video game consoles available to today's gamers. Besides just being a video game console, the 360 also provides access to movies, music and an array of Internet features. Microsoft has manufactured multiple models of the system, such as the Pro, Arcade and Elite, giving consumers various options.

Availability

Currently, only the Elite and Arcade models are still in production. The Pro is still available in stores, but Microsoft is no longer manufacturing the model.

Memory

Memory is where Microsoft has provided the widest area of customization. Memory is important because you use it to store saved game data and any movies/demos you download. The Elite model provides the most memory, coming with either a 250 Gigabyte (GB) or 120 GB detachable hard drive. The Pro is available in either 60 GB or 20 GB. The Arcade model does not come with a hard drive; it comes with built-in memory of either 512 or 256 MBs. However, you may purchase a hard drive separately and attach it to the Arcade model.

XBox Live

Xbox Live is the online network that lets gamers play with friends, family and anyone across the globe. It also enables you to download movies, videos, music, game demos and game add-ons, and it even has Facebook and Twitter on it. All Xbox consoles come with the ability to connect to the Internet, however, users must pay a separate annual fee for Live membership. Also, the Arcade is the only model that does not come with an Ethernet cable for connecting to a modem or router. You may also purchase wireless adapters for the Xbox system.

Accessories

An Xbox 360 controller

All Xbox gaming systems come with multiple accessories. All models come with power and video cords (the video cords contain plugs for both AV and Component sockets), and at least one wireless controller (the 250 GB model of the Elite comes with two controllers). The Elite and Pro models also come with a headset that allows the gamer to talk to other players during game play, while the Arcade does not.

Miscellaneous

The most obvious difference between the Elite model and the other models is color of the system itself. The Elite comes in a stylish black, while the Arcade and Pro models come in a more traditional white. For gamers who still want to play games from the original Xbox system, the Elite and Pro models posses backward compatibility---meaning that Xbox discs will play on the 360 system. However, the Arcade model will only play Xbox 360 games (selected original Xbox games are available for download via Xbox Live).

All models of the 360 are HDMI compatible, although you must purchase the HDMI cable separately. The Xbox 360 also comes in different bundles, meaning that the system is packaged with a certain game or comes with a special design.

Price

The Xbox 360 is available in multiple price packages.

Perhaps the most crucial element in deciding which model to purchase is the price. Elite models are the most expensive, running about $400 for the 250 GB model and $300 for the 120 GB. The Pro is listed at $250, while the Arcade goes for $200. You can also find refurbished (used) systems at certain retail stores, such as GameStop.

References

• Xbox

Resources

• GameSpot: getting started with Xbox 360