Xbox One Controller An Xbox 360

(Pocket-lint) - The Xbox 360 has been effectually for some time now, so following the revamp from Sony of its PS3, it's simply natural that Microsoft would want to get in on the re-invigorating activity for its panel, boosting sales and fixing a couple of issues along the way. In steps the new Microsoft Xbox 360, or every bit some call it the Xbox 360 Slim or as the name on the back of the panel itself refers to information technology, the Xbox 360 Due south.

Before we talk well-nigh the new slim console, it's probably worth just noting what you go far the box. In brusque you lot get virtually zip that isn't cadre to the unit. Yep, at that place is the panel, the power pack, a controller and a headset, just there is no mode of really connecting it to your Telly. Y'all'll need to bring the HDMI cablevision yourself.

At present that we've got that out of the way the first thing you'll notice virtually the new console is the size. As y'all might expect, information technology'southward now considerably smaller. Not Nintendo Wii small, only reduced enough that at the Microsoft press conference at E3 in Los Angeles, Microsoft hid the new Xbox 360 inside the erstwhile model before the big reveal. Incidentally the aforementioned trick Sony performed when information technology launched the slimline PlayStation two.

Pocket-lint

The new Xbox 360 Southward also brings with information technology a new sleeky design that is even more than masculine than the previous matte outings. There is nothing family friendly about this device when information technology comes to looks, strange considering Microsoft'southward gunning for a family unit audience with the Kinect later this year, but that doesn't mean it looks awful. Out are the rather large bulbous edges; in are stark lines, hard edges and plenty of grills.

Part of the new design is at present a very big fan grill on the top (when laid apartment), plus ii grills/vents that engulf both sides. It's all to stop information technology over-heating you run across - something previous models were prone to. But while that means it is considerably quieter, and nosotros mean quiet enough that you lot can accept it on in the groundwork without you noticing, information technology also means that you can't put anything else on height of it like you lot could with the original design (yes that'southward what probably acquired the overheating in the first identify).

While Sony opted for a curved top with the PS3, Microsoft has gone for a apartment design with air vents, and it is something you should business relationship for in your Tv set stand up if space is tight.

Pocket-lint

The design has also seen the front of the console cleaned up as well. The IR receiver has been subconscious behind the casing, while the memory unit slots are gone altogether. You lot yet, yet, go ii frontward facing (hidden) USB sockets for connecting things like USB storage drives.

For those actually into playing spot the difference, the DVD eject push has shrunk and become touch sensitive, while the On switch is now sliver rather than the aforementioned colour. Gone besides is the Ruby-red Band Of Decease (RROD) warning sign, replaced instead with the carmine centre of doom.

Around the back and there is plenty of change also. Microsoft has added an Optical Southward/PDIF socket for sound buffs, two further USB sockets bringing the rear total to three and the overall console full to 5, and a defended AUX socket to power Kinect for Xbox 360 when information technology becomes available later this yr.

Pocket-lint

Besides that there is an AV socket, an HDMI socket for connecting to your Telly, Ethernet and of course the power. There is now too a Kensington lock then you tin commodities information technology to something rather than having it nicked when someone comes to burgle your house.

As earlier the hard drive is fully replaceable and rather than a big clunky affair sticking out of the side (every bit with the Xbox 360 Aristocracy) it's now neatly tucked away out of sight backside 1 of the side vents in its ain caddy; accessing it is very easy. The final outside change is the power brick; and yes it's still a brick, which you could easily fend off evil foes with, only now effectually one-half the size.

Pocket-lint

Inside, Microsoft hasn't inverse the graphical ability, the processor power or much else for that thing although it has added Wi-Fi and increased the storage. For the first time the Xbox 360 console won't require a network cablevision ready to use behind your TV, neither will you lot have to exit and purchase a wireless dongle for another £60.

And the wireless connection is no slouch either, every bit you'll get wireless b/thou/n support, which meant that we enjoyed fast downloads (obviously based on your connection speed) via Xbox Alive just as if nosotros were connected via a wire.

In our tests playing a number of games online and downloading content via Marketplace, nosotros were more than than happy with the performance the wireless connectivity brought. And the lack of cabling meant that for the first time (we've never bought the wireless dongle out of principle) we could play from our bed.

Pocket-lint

Likewise new is the default storage the Xbox 360 S comes with. You now get 250GB of storage at your disposal. That'southward a lot of saved games, or movies and adding new content is very easy thanks to the system now supporting any old USB storage bulldoze y'all've got, rather than just Microsoft-branded options.

Of form information technology's not all add, add, add; Microsoft has still left out a Blu-ray player for loftier definition videos other than those that you lot've downloaded, and the DVD playback quality notwithstanding isn't swell when compared to what the PS3 or other regular DVD players are capable of through upscaling. If you're buying this as an entertainment hub wait to have to download to enjoy decent quality movies.

Pocket-lint

If this is going to be your commencement Xbox 360 then migrating data isn't something you are going to accept to worry about, but for those looking to upgrade from an Xbox 360 Aristocracy then it'south worth thinking about. There are a couple of means to practise this: mainly via Microsoft's Hard Bulldoze Transfer Cable, or the cheaper pick of a USB storage bulldoze you might take lying around.

While the USB drive option is inexpensive, unless you lot've got a large drive you'll exist in that location for some time copying the data beyond. The simplest way by far is to use the Hard Drive Transfer Cable. Whip out the drive from your old Xbox 360, plug it into the cablevision and then to your new panel via one of those v USB sockets. 30 seconds later you are washed. It'south well worth the £15.

Once you've got everything set, and your data transferred it's time to play. Turning on the console you'll notice no real deviation, the software interface is the same, the gaming feel is the same, the games y'all've played will still play. Remember this is merely a hardware refresh rather than an overhaul of how the Xbox 360 works.

We played all the games you would await (Alan Wake, Spilt/Second, Gears) on the hottest weekend of the year in the UK. Yep the console got hot, but no hotter than we would take expected after 10 hours of gaming and watching movies.

To recap

The Xbox 360 S is a keen refresh and one that Microsoft should be praised for. We like it, and with Kinect coming soon, these should sell like hot cakes.

Writing by Stuart Miles.