Gear-up gamers, more action awaits you as the gaming companies hot up the competition. Coming out with limited editions is one way to ensure your market share and Microsoft seems to be well aware of this fact. The latest gossip surrounds the Xbox 360 with rumors about the Elite version. The above image is of the original 360-dev kit. The Elite will of course be a limited edition set with maybe a couple hundred thousand pieces only. The new packaging will include a black case, controller, and Live headset. Elite will be a 3rd SKU; it will be sold alongside Premium and Core packs. The rumor is that after the Elite is sold-out, it will dawn the new avatar of the Xbox Premium (which will have will have 120GB / HDMI.). The Elite models run cooler than normal 360s and may have 65nm chips. The HD DVD drive will not be internal or bundled (Microsoft does not plan to put an HD DVD drive in the 360, as yet). The whiff is that neither the Elite nor the Premium will integrate WiFi into the system, but you never know.
The Elite will be priced at about $479. However, the 120GB / HDMI may become a standard feature for Premium by late summer or fall. The prices may vary once the 65nm chips are fitted into the system.
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