Microsoft To Release Three Versions of X-Box 2's

[DjmUK]

One of them will be like a PC, shock

By Wil Harris: Thursday 11 November 2004, 10:23

A SLIDE from a non disclosure agreement (NDA) presentation seen by the INQ 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.

- X-Box Next

- X-Box HD

- X-Box PC

System outline specifications note that internet browsing and instant messaging would be key applications, and that the entire unit will be smaller than the current Xbox, although it will not be possible to upgrade the shipping memory or processor.

The year-long gap between the mooted introductions of the 2 standard Xboxes before the Xbox Next PC is an interesting decision, which suggests that Microsoft realises the time that the market needs to acclimatise to TV media functionality. Since the Vole expects to ship Xbox Next before the Sony PlayStation 3, 2 versions of the console allow it to get the first wave out before PS3, but to also spoil the launch of Sony's flagship by concurrently announcing the PC version.

Source: The Inquirer

[Brandon]

o joy... i might pick up the cheap one when it goes on sale!

[noyb]

Hmm, they say they are releasing a PC type XBOX that will run Windows and PC software but the XBOX2 will be based on PowerPC chips and Windows and thus Windows software is compiled to run on an x86 platform and thats counting Longhorn in that to.

Am i the only one confused by this because either the story is bull or MS have made some massive strides with VPC.

[vincent]

I just dont see the point of them doing this. Why?

All we want is an improvement on what we have now. Xbox. Not three if i wanted a pc xbox(although thats waht the current is kinda like) id just build myself or buy a media center box.

or has the xbox modding community had an influence on this decision?

[d3nuo]

yay! been waitin for this for a while.. ill prolly end up getting an XBOX HD and then waste my money by springing for the PC edition when it's released... thnx for the update :D

[idoia]

Hmm, they say they are releasing a PC type XBOX that will run Windows and PC software but the XBOX2 will be based on PowerPC chips and Windows and thus Windows software is compiled to run on an x86 platform and thats counting Longhorn in that to.

Am i the only one confused by this because either the story is bull or MS have made some massive strides with VPC.

584903135[/snapback]

you got a point there

[spiegel]

goes to eb games and sits in front of their main window waiting for the new xbox systems

:shifty:

[emel]

hmm// there is some linux distros that can run in ppc and they have their x86 version. Microsoft has the source code of their OS so they can modify it to run on a ppc.

[Kriz]

Wow, more money for me to spend :)

[STV]

this is either very, very genius

or

very, very stupid.

only time will tell.

i would be interested in the PC version

STV

[noyb]

hmm// there is some linux distros that can run in ppc and they have their x86 version. Microsoft has the source code of their OS so they can modify it to run on a ppc.

584903260[/snapback]

Its not just a case of simply recompiling the Windows code. And the other and probably the main hurdle would be the Windows software because that would need to be recompiled for PowerPC.

Im going to have to say that this is bull until i see proof because to my knowledge technically its not possible and emulation is not really going to be an option.

Edit: The only other possibility is that they have revised the specs and scrapped the IBM chips in favour of an x86 brand, but that can't be right because the game developers have already been given their Mac's to get to work with.

Arghh im confused i need to see proof because this is bugging the hell out of me.

[neufuse Veteran]

hmm// there is some linux distros that can run in ppc and they have their x86 version. Microsoft has the source code of their OS so they can modify it to run on a ppc.

584903260[/snapback]

the PPC chip that microsoft was working on with IBM is not a standard PPC chip, it has a custom instruction set so the standard PPC linux would not work by default possibly, it would need to be recoded for the new IA to work

[[Fosters]]

I hate the Inquirer because it usually just speculation not news.

But Windows + XBox games on a single machine would be cool.

Unfortuantely what I don't understand is -- XBox 2 is suppoed to be PPC based how on earth can it play Windows games?

[Veedems Veteran]

If I go woth MS and not Sony, I'd get the middle of the line. I don't want a full blown OS running on my console.

[kainashi]

If I go woth MS and not Sony, I'd get the middle of the line. I don't want a full blown OS running on my console.

584903443[/snapback]

same here. that's what my pc is for. :yes:

[iconboy]

does anyone else think that selling the xbox in 2 forms, one with the hdd and one with out the hdd (pc one aside) is a stupid idea!? have they learned nothing from other companies that sold vital peripherals seperatley? the end user will not go out of their way to buy a peripheral after they buy the system, and what do u have? inconsistancies when making games... because now u have to worry about wether or not the person has an hdd and wether or not they are willing to go out and buy it for your game- to M$ i say, put an hdd in every xbox, shutup and eat the cost and your extremly stupid if u think this plan is gunna help you in anyway! :p

oh as for the xbox pc- keep the price low and its simply brilliant. give people an xbox and inexpensive pc. My only problem is the hdd vs. non hdd xbox, because u see it will only divide the user base.... sega has a million failed peripherals... oh and lets not forget what a HUGE success the PS2 hdd was! :p :p

[Dark_INk]

woo hoo - i'll b getting the xbxPc :woot:

(can't wait to use my trackball in halo2 n' my bigxbx control in pc games)

Edited November 11, 2004 by Dark_INk

[DarkPhantasmo]

What if the XBOX PC is basically a "normal" pc with an add-in card that is the xbox piece. No need for microsoft to recompile windows for ppc, etc...

[threetonesun]

Doesn't make any sense, XNA is supposed to make cross platform development easier, so the XBox and PC could share the same games anyway, they wouldn't need to be the same thing.

[Stokkolm]

does anyone else think that selling the xbox in 2 forms, one with the hdd and one with out the hdd (pc one aside) is a stupid idea!? have they learned nothing from other companies that sold vital peripherals seperatley? the end user will not go out of their way to buy a peripheral after they buy the system, and what do u have? inconsistancies when making games... because now u have to worry about wether or not the person has an hdd and wether or not they are willing to go out and buy it for your game- to M$ i say, put an hdd in every xbox, shutup and eat the cost and your extremly stupid if u think this plan is gunna help you in anyway! :p

oh as for the xbox pc- keep the price low and its simply brilliant.  give people an xbox and inexpensive pc.  My only problem is the hdd vs. non hdd xbox, because u see it will only divide the user base.... sega has a million failed peripherals... oh and lets not forget what a HUGE success the PS2 hdd was! :p :p

584903574[/snapback]

Nobody said they are going to be selling an external hdd. It's not that hard for the game to detect a hdd or a memory card. They will probably sell the non-hdd one for $200 and the hdd one for probably $350 - $400.

[ANova]

Since the Vole expects to ship Xbox Next before the Sony PlayStation 3, 2 versions of the console allow it to get the first wave out before PS3, but to also spoil the launch of Sony's flagship by concurrently announcing the PC version.

What's really funny is the fact that MS thinks they have a chance of competing with the PS3. :p

[Stokkolm]

What's really funny is the fact that MS thinks they have a chance of competing with the PS3. :p

584903817[/snapback]

I think it's the other way around. Unless Sony gets something to compete with XBL they will lose the next gen console war.

[Dark_INk]

What's really funny is the fact that MS thinks they have a chance of competing with the PS3. :p

584903817[/snapback]

be realistic.

xbx isn't going away :D

[vincent]

What's really funny is the fact that MS thinks they have a chance of competing with the PS3. :p

584903817[/snapback]

Go back under your bridge troll, a TRUE gamer would agree that all consoles that have existed since the coleco vision. were and are Damn good

[Cloud Geek]

According to reports streaming in from some loose-penned European press, Microsoft will release three different versions of the Xbox Next. The standard Xbox Next will be a basic gaming console. The Xbox Next HD will include a hard drive. Then, about a year later, the Xbox Next PC will be released as a fully-functioning Windows Media Center PC, all in a package smaller than the current Xbox. It is slated to come with a wireless mouse and keyboard and a CD Burner. This should cause some healthy consumer confusion next year while making things difficult on developers. Keep in mind chances are good the thing won?t even be called Xbox ?Next.? Fanboys, start your engines!

http://www.engadget.com/entry/6717250847203461/

Edited November 11, 2004 by MvT Cracker