Xbox 360 Core Vs. Premium: It’s Not Just About The Money!

I have read many posts regarding the core versus premium debate over in the Xbox forums. I have not joined in on that debate because it seemed logical that if someone wanted to save a few bucks they could buy the core system and a memory card to enjoy all the aspects of the new Xbox, including the Live experience. I did agree with other posters that the core system, plus the added accessories included with the premium bundle, would cost well over 200 dollars more. At the same time, I was forced to purchase a core system with a memory card because of availability at launch day. (I have since upgraded to a premium and sold the core for EXACTLY what I paid for it!)

I have changed my mind! I now, after listening to Major Nelson’s most recent podcast, believe the core is a complete waste and even wonder why Microsoft would put out such a system in the first place. The person Major had on from the Microsoft accessories team confirmed what had been thought all along about the hard drive for the system. The hard drive is being used, and will be used in the future for game caching. Therefore, a core system WILL see performance issues, including load times, on some games.

If the release of the premium system bundle is just for the launch, and the only systems available in the future for new purchase will be core systems, then I can understand the marketing behind it. (I have no proof of this, but had heard a rumor before the launch that this was the case.) If the plan is to have both a premium and a core system in the stores indefinitely, then this information about degraded game performance without the hard drive needs to be expressed somehow. Either Microsoft needs to put it in the ads, on the box, or we need to inform everyone ourselves.

Now don’t misunderstand me. I love my Xbox 360. I can’t get enough. But I would have been pretty upset if I played a friend’s premium and went out and bought a core only to discover that the same games played slower than they had at my friend’s house. My hope is that Microsoft will decide to ditch the core system altogether and drop the price of the hard drive for the ones that bought the core at launch. I know some will say that everyone knows to just buy the premium. It’s not the gamer I worry about, but the average consumer that does not read the forums, channels, or blogs.

Check out Major Nelson’s Blog and Podcast for more information.

[Andy Girton]

[tags]xbox,xbox 360,andy girton,xbox 360 core,xbox 360 premium,core vs premium[/tags]