Help me choose a gaming console.

[ImaYoyo]

That is good to know.

Will it connect through a normal wi-fi connection, providing I get the xbox 360 wireless connector of course, or is there something special I will need to do?

Do you have an opinion you are willing to share on which version I should get?

It will connect to a normal wi-fi (secured or unsecured, either way). If you're big on high-def and reliability, I would go with the elite version or the Halo 3 version. If you REALLY have to have a white one, then go with the premium. But there's no reason to get the core, since the 360 is fairly pointless w/o a hard drive. And though 20 gigs sounds like a decent amount for a game console, once you see the cool stuff on XBox Live Marketplace and XBox Live Arcade, it fills up quick. So I recommend the elite for the bigger hard drive.

My 2 cents on that.

Another thought; skip the HD-DVD add on. XBox Marketplace has Hi-Def DVD rentals for 3, 4 and 5 dollars (converted to Xbox Points, 240, 320, 360 and 400 for most High Def rentals), or you can pay 180 bucks to buy and rent them from a store and play them in a drive instead of downloading them... hmm........ If you have a decent broadband connection (I have brighthouse 10mbps), your High-Def movies will be ready to play in 5 minutes. (Xbox 360 lets you start the movie and watch while it downloads in the background).

 

[Master Yoda]

It will connect to a normal wi-fi (secured or unsecured, either way). If you're big on high-def and reliability, I would go with the elite version or the Halo 3 version. If you REALLY have to have a white one, then go with the premium. But there's no reason to get the core, since the 360 is fairly pointless w/o a hard drive. And though 20 gigs sounds like a decent amount for a game console, once you see the cool stuff on XBox Live Marketplace and XBox Live Arcade, it fills up quick. So I recommend the elite for the bigger hard drive.

My 2 cents on that.

Another thought; skip the HD-DVD add on. XBox Marketplace has Hi-Def DVD rentals for 3, 4 and 5 dollars (converted to Xbox Points, 240, 320, 360 and 400 for most High Def rentals), or you can pay 180 bucks to buy and rent them from a store and play them in a drive instead of downloading them... hmm........ If you have a decent broadband connection (I have brighthouse 10mbps), your High-Def movies will be ready to play in 5 minutes. (Xbox 360 lets you start the movie and watch while it downloads in the background).

Thanks. That is about what I thought. I have never heard anyone complain that their hard drive was to large. Definitely a bigger is better satistic. I was also not super worried about the HD-DVD. I really do not want to be on the loosing side of the HD format war. I was waiting until the dual format players are perfected or a decent HD-DVD or Blu-Ray cracks the $200 mark which from I here will be November 3rd for HD-DVD this year.

Are the MS wireless controllers pretty durable or is there a better aftermarket solution?

 

[ImaYoyo]

Thanks. That is about what I thought. I have never heard anyone complain that their hard drive was to large. Definitely a bigger is better satistic. I was also not super worried about the HD-DVD. I really do not want to be on the loosing side of the HD format war. I was waiting until the dual format players are perfected or a decent HD-DVD or Blu-Ray cracks the $200 mark which from I here will be November 3rd for HD-DVD this year.

Are the MS wireless controllers pretty durable or is there a better aftermarket solution?

I still haven't seen a decent 3rd party controller for the 360, and I've never had an issue with the Microsoft ones I have. They've got a GREAT range. We found waterproof casings for the controllers, so now we can play using our projector out at the pool! It's awesome I use rayovac rechargeable plus AA batteries, and get about 40 hours worth of play per charge.

 

[Master Yoda]

I still haven't seen a decent 3rd party controller for the 360, and I've never had an issue with the Microsoft ones I have. They've got a GREAT range. We found waterproof casings for the controllers, so now we can play using our projector out at the pool! It's awesome I use rayovac rechargeable plus AA batteries, and get about 40 hours worth of play per charge.

Sounds great. Well now I know what to ask Santa for this year.

 

[ImaYoyo]

Sounds great. Well now I know what to ask Santa for this year.

When Santa visits, be sure to add my Gamertag; THEPAULSE.

 

[Master Yoda]

When Santa visits, be sure to add my Gamertag; THEPAULSE.

I wonder if Master Yoda has already been taken?