It wasn't so long ago that kids who got the "new" Nintendo 8-bit
gaming console or the Sega system for Christmas were the envy of
every less fortunate and burned out Atari owning neighborhood
playmate. As time elapsed, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, and
NES's Turbo Graphix 16 became all the rave. Anyone now in their
twenties can recall being impressed by the awesome advancements
in playability and graphic display of the Nintendo 64 and Sega's
Dreamcast system, and even more recently (only five or so years
ago) the advent of Microsoft's Xbox, Nintendo's Game Cube, and
the Play Station by Sony. The Video Gaming industry has made
great strides in the past twenty years: from slow-moving, barely
recognizable forms on screen in original Atari games such as
Pac-Man, Calga, and Tron, to the extremely vivid and life-like
graphics of Tomb Raider, Splinter Cell, and Tekken; available
for the Xbox and Play Station. Now, just in time for Christmas
2005, Microsoft has made the next move in the continuing race
for Video Gaming Supremacy with the introduction of the Xbox
360. The result is truly phenomenal.
The Xbox 360, as with all video game consoles, is basically just
a computer with hardware and software dedicated to the function
of running video games. The original Xbox was pretty much just a
Microsoft PC with a modified Pentium III processor, some
powerful graphics and audio capabilities, and a modified version
of the Windows 2000 operating system, all packaged in that
distinctive black box.
This year Microsoft has released two versions of the Xbox 360:
the Xbox 360 and Xbox 360 Core System. The Xbox 360Core System
is "plug and play", that is, that in addition to the console, it
includes an integrated controller and an AV cable. The Xbox 360
(not the "Core system") comes with a wireless controller, an HD
AV cable, an Ethernet connectivity cable, a headset, a media
remote, and a removable 20-GB hard drive.
For anyone who thought the original Xbox was a technological
marvel, you must try this out! As amazing and realistic as the
play on the first Xbox was, the Xbox 360 makes its predecessor
look tired and worn-out. Microsoft has rebuilt the Xbox from the
ground up. From the name to the look, from hardware to features,
the Xbox 360 is a radically different and more powerful machine
than the original Xbox. Far more than a video game console, the
Xbox 360 is a total media center that allows users to play
games, network with other 360 owners; rip, stream and download
all types of media, including high-definition movies, music,
digital pictures and game content, as well as play DVD movies
and audio CD's.
The Xbox 360 will revolutionize the gaming world. Microsoft has
definitely set the new standard in video game technology.
---------- Mitchell Medford is an author and product consultant
for several consumer electronics manufacturers. Visit his
websites for more information on the Xbox 360 and satellite TV.
About the author:
Mitchell Medford is an author and product development consultant
for several consumer electronics manufacturers. Visit his
websites for more information on DLP and satellite TV:
http://www.newtechnologytv.com http://www.1stboard.com
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