Microsoft To Release Three Versions Of Xbox 2

KingFishKingFish
edited November 2004 in Science & Tech
A slide from a non disclosure agreement (NDA) presentation seen by the Inquirer points towards Microsoft launching three versions of the Xbox 2, one of which is a fully functioning PC.
The presentation, understood to have been given to analysts and market researchers in the UK earlier this year, plots a timeline for the introduction of the systems. Xbox Next and Xbox Next HD are planned for Autumn 2005, whereas the Xbox Next PC is pencilled in for Autumn 2006. The standard Xbox Next will not include a hard drive, which will allow Microsoft to cut costs on this basic unit. Xbox Next HD, as you might imagine, does include a hard drive and will offer increased functionality based on this. Xbox Next PC is, according to the presentation, an entry-level PC that runs Windows and all standard PC software. It also includes CD Burner, Wireless keyboard, mouse and controller and will work best connected to a high-definition TV or PC monitor. Media Center functionality - like movies, music and photos - is also included. The device will also play most available PC games.
Source: The Inquirer

Comments

  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    interesting... though I would never buy a PC version of XBOX unless it's dirt cheap.
  • SputnikSputnik Worcester, MA
    edited November 2004
    ditto
  • CycloniteCyclonite Tampa, Florida Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    Looks like I'll have the HD version. :) Already going to have a nice PC.
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    Isn't it supposed to have an IBM PowerPC970 processor, like the same as a Power Macintosh G5?

    -drasnor :fold:
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited November 2004
    I wonder if anyone will figure out how the XBOX PC is playing XBOX games, and make a port of the software for regular PCs?

    THAT would be something I'd buy.
  • Micks 109
    edited November 2004
    will the xbox 2 have memory cards then, as it does not have a hard drive.
    All the xbox pc does is allow pc format games to run as well as xbox format games, all consols with hard drives could do it
  • TheBaronTheBaron Austin, TX
    edited November 2004
    not necessarily micks, they use different architectures that the games are not compiled for
  • jaredjared College Station, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    I think this is a pretty lame idea myself. If you want to buy a entry level Xbox PC you might as well go buy a p.o.s. emachines or something equivilant. The only reason I could see anyone wanting to buy a 'Xbox PC' would be if it was a fully functional PC and console.. aka played xbox games, however; this is not going to be the case. I don't have a problem with Microsoft trying to get into the entry PC market but they should not introduce this under the Xbox brand, the two (xbox and xbox pc) should not cross paths.

    Just how i see it. :D
  • drasnordrasnor Starship Operator Hawthorne, CA Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    If Xbox2 is still going to be powered by a PowerPC970, then it really isn't comparable to any kind of x86 PC. Anyone care to name the only other desktop machine on the market powered by a PPC970 and it's starting price?

    -drasnor :fold:
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    jared wrote:
    I think this is a pretty lame idea myself. If you want to buy a entry level Xbox PC you might as well go buy a p.o.s. emachines or something equivilant. The only reason I could see anyone wanting to buy a 'Xbox PC' would be if it was a fully functional PC and console.. aka played xbox games, however; this is not going to be the case. I don't have a problem with Microsoft trying to get into the entry PC market but they should not introduce this under the Xbox brand, the two (xbox and xbox pc) should not cross paths.

    Just how i see it. :D

    Exactly. Consoles & PCs should not mix. Ever.
  • jaredjared College Station, TX Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    Yeah the Xbox 2 console is going to be powered by the IBM chip (similar to the G5). But the Xbox 2 PC is going to be nothing more than a e-machine with a 'Xbox PC' brand on it. I just think MS shouldnt use the consoles success to try and launch a regular ole' entry level pc. I have a feeling they are going to end up shooting themselves in the foot on this one.

    :scratch:
  • wanna be
    edited November 2004
    i think that the only way console and pc shopuld merge is isin the emulator arena.
    pcgames on a console - already exists. But you can get emulators to run console games on your pc and most are freeware. the only problem is that there is no emulator for xbox. the codes just too good. (if they'd hire the same people to make some new version of windows that'd be great)
  • CyrixInsteadCyrixInstead Stoke-on-Trent, England Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    There's nothing wrong with combining a PC & games console. Sega & IBM sucessfully married a 286 and a Megadrive. The Sega Teradrive!!

    td_header.png

    http://nfg.2y.net/games/teradrive/
    http://assembler.roarvgm.com/teradrive/teradrive.html

    td_system1.jpg

    Oh, perhaps this didn't go down so well... :scratch:

    ~Cyrix
  • MedlockMedlock Miramar, Florida Member
    edited November 2004
    Never heard of it; the 286 was before my time...

    Why would they release versions of the xbox with and without a HD? Wouldn't that make certain games/content unavailable to some customers? Sounds pretty stupid to me...
  • CyrixInsteadCyrixInstead Stoke-on-Trent, England Icrontian
    edited November 2004
    It would be more like a PS then. You have a memory card probably, but with a HDD could save more stuff.

    ~Cyrix
Sign In or Register to comment.