Xbox 360 Slim Review

We all are aware that the video game console market is booming right now, and right at the top of the charts is the phenomenal Microsoft Xbox 360, competing directly with the likes of the Sony PlayStation 3 and the Nintendo Wii. Reading Xbox 360 Slim reviews will help you understand what exactly has changed in the newest version, and what all you can do with this console today.

The new Xbox 360 Slim was released in June 2010 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), an annual conference where all the biggies of the industry show off their latest offerings. The biggest difference between the Xbox 360 Slim and the previous model is the size of the console itself, which is 17% smaller and much lighter. This difference in the size stems from the fact that the hard drives position has now been changed from the side to inside the console, even though it can still be removed. The shape of the console itself is concave in nature, and it meets at the center where the power button is positioned.

The next thing you will notice is the quality of the finish of the console. While the new PS3 Slim has an inferior quality and look about it now, Microsoft has replaced the old matte finish with a sharp glossy finish, and also changed the color from white to black. This lends the console a classy expensive look, but it does become a fingerprint magnet in the process. The power button itself is now a touch sensitive button, and it even makes a slight sound when you press it.

Xbox 360 Slim : A Review

Microsoft seems to have bungled up a bit with the hard drive removal process though, and this is something that has been acknowledged on most reviews of Xbox 360 Slim. You will need to pull a cord which sets into place the release mechanism to remove the 250GB hard drive, and this is something that will get weaker over time. The best way to avoid problems is to refrain from removing the hard drive, and use an external hard drive and connect it via the USB ports instead. Incidentally, the console now has 5 USB ports, so this is not something that should be a problem for you.

The biggest change however is that the Xbox 360 now offers 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity, something which was lacking in the earlier models but was ominously present in the PS3. In addition to this, you also have an additional AUX port that will be used to run Microsoft Kinect, the new motion sensing gaming platform developed by Microsoft. Interestingly, this is a revolutionary development where, as Microsoft likes to put it, "You are the controller". The chip system inside is the new and improved Valhalla system, which is faster, smoother and quieter when running Xbox 360 games. And it also causes less overheating problems, which was something earlier models regularly had to deal with. The fact that Microsoft have achieved this after reducing the number of cooling fans from 2 to 1 is commendable in itself.

So one can gather from most Xbox 360 Slim reviews that the plus points of this new version are as follows.

• Better visual appeal, with a smaller design and glossy finish.
• Wi-Fi connectivity, which increases the functionality of Xbox Live.
• Makes lesser noise and cools down faster.
• Better chip set inside the machine.
• 5 USB ports available.
• Compatibility with the new Kinect motion sensing gaming system.

All this is well and good, but ultimately you have to compare this new model to the PS3, most notably the new PS3 Slim and carry out a PS3 Slim vs Xbox 360 Slim comparison. Though the PS3 is slightly more expensive, you do get the advantage of the console being a Blu-Ray player there. This is something that cannot be overlooked, but this is more of a feather in Sony's cap, rather than a thorn in Microsoft's side. The clumsy method of removing the hard drive is not something that is worth writing home about either. This Xbox 360 Vs PS3 Vs Wii comparison will also be useful.

All in all, if you own an older version (any of the different types of Xbox 360 consoles) of the Xbox 360 it is best to stick to that, especially if you own the 250GB version. It is assumed that you must have already found a way to get around the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity by using a dongle or an adapter. The Blu-Ray player of the PS3 is a big advantage, and if you are looking to buy a new console, this Xbox 360 Slim review suggests that you opt for the PS3 Slim instead of the Xbox 360 Slim.