Opinions - Microsoft slashing Xbox 360 prices, but is now a good time to buy?

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This Friday, Microsoft will lower the cost of its Xbox 360 console to £129.99. But there's one reason not to buy, and it's called Jasper.

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In summary, we know what Jasper is, and we know roughly when to expect it, and that brings up back to our original question; is now a good time to buy? The price cuts are hugely appealing, and the Xbox 360 in our opinion does offer great value for money. However, with a new-and-improved console just around the corner, the right time to buy could be just a few weeks away.

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This type of price drop isn't intended to sway the sort of people who visit tech forums like Hexus. Its designed for headline grabbing, its designed for parents who's kids have been pestering them for ages to get a 360. Will they care about the differences? probably not. Will they even have heard of the RROD? Probably not.

Its a very good time for MS to drop the price with Christmas only 3 months away, and the 360 celebrating its 3rd birthday. My main concern is that it is its 3rd birthday. We will start seeing the 3 year RROD warranty ending for lots of people. What happens after that? No one knows, or more than likely no one cares, after all MS have a new more reliable console, so why bother with the hassle, i'll just buy a new console.

beanbandit...you 100% right and thats exactly what microsoft are counting on; that their main customer base dont really know and most probably dont even care... im sure most of the population dont know exact details of earlier revisions either...theyll go on buying the console dependant on the price...

For me personally, £130 still doesn't entice me to grab an X360. I think Microsoft should have gone for £109 or better yet £99.

I know what you mean. £99 feels like you're spending less than 3 figures, even if it's only by a few pounds, and that can tip a buying decision.

But I suppose that kind of price point will come with the Valhalla revision, if it comes. Then they might be able to hang at the level the PS2 currently inhabits all by itself.

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Originally Posted by beanbandit

so why bother with the hassle, i'll just buy a new console.

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i certaining wouldnt buy another one if it broke outside the warranty. i never re-buy the same product that causes soo much trouble.

the 360 is not the only thing you can use to enjoy next ge gaming. maybe the cheapest but doesnt matter when it breaks all the time.

If jaspar doesnt fix the rrod then i dont think it will ever be fixed

I still think that the RROD isn't always caused by heat. Seeing as MS have taken steps to reduce it, it shows that other factors must pay a part. Has the RROD decreased on each newer console revision? (I am asking!)

I would look at getting an XBox, maybe after Christmas.

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Originally Posted by beanbandit

This type of price drop isn't intended to sway the sort of people who visit tech forums like Hexus. Its designed for headline grabbing, its designed for parents who's kids have been pestering them for ages to get a 360. Will they care about the differences? probably not. Will they even have heard of the RROD? Probably not.

Its a very good time for MS to drop the price with Christmas only 3 months away, and the 360 celebrating its 3rd birthday. My main concern is that it is its 3rd birthday. We will start seeing the 3 year RROD warranty ending for lots of people. What happens after that? No one knows, or more than likely no one cares, after all MS have a new more reliable console, so why bother with the hassle, i'll just buy a new console.

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Well put. However, its the people who re-buy a consistently faulty piece of hardware that exacerbate the issue. Just buying another console after the original one is faulty isn't really the right thing to do. MS haven't been quick to fix the source of the issue, just offer longer warranties and pay to have the consoles refurbished.

What is the current estimated failure rate now (not Microsofts estimate). I read a whila ago that the issue was sorted with the new chips, but you always hear contradicting statements due to all the fanboys. I just like cold hard facts.

Not interested in purchasing personally, that choice past along time ago, I purchased a PS3 by the way due to the RROD at the time. (I hate both Sony and Microsoft by the way, the only bias may be who I hate more).

Most places have bundles and new prices up now.

Game & Gamestation in particular.

I've been tempted to update mine, bigger HD, HDMI and running cooler and quieter. But then I think I've had mine since release day without a hint of trouble, why bother spend more?

I'm becoming tempted at this price point :-)

It would mainly be to replace my old xbox which is used solely for XBMC these days, though I'm sure with a 360 I'd end up playing Halo 3 at some point...

Slightly off topic I know, but any views on whether a 360 is any good as an xbmc replacement? Is it even in the same ballpark?

I think now is still a good time to buy, regardless of what is "around the corner".

The thing is that with technology, there will *always* be a new version just around the corner, there will always be something worth waiting for. For me the bottom line is that if you want one, get one now and be pleased with it, otherwise you will spend your whole life waiting to buy something and will probably never get it.

It was worth waiting 1-2 weeks for the price cuts as we knew for sure they were coming, and pretty much knew when it was going to be..but it would not have been worth waiting a month ago, and isn't really worth waiting for a hardware revision which could possibly appear on the shelves in 1 months time.