Additionally, the email states the 20GB HDD is being phased out altogether and that the 120GB stand alone drive will receive a price cut to $149.99 (HA!). Word is that the 60GB Pro Unit will hit before the month is out and the Live Starter Pack will hit late October or early November. Whether or not the new 60GB SKU will be subject to the new price drop is unknown, but doubtful. Likely the 20GBs at $299.99 are a fire sale, and the 60GBs will still be $349.99.
The full text of the email can be found after the break.
With the introduction of the 60GB Pro console in July, we have research that suggests it is very important to have a 60GB stand alone Hard Drive to go along with it to allow the consumer a full range of choices and values. In late October/early November (exact date TBD but most likely last week in October or 1st week in November), we will ship the Xbox 360 60GB Hard Drive, tentatively called the "Xbox 360 60GB LIVE Starter Pack". This will be an excellent value price at and ERP of $99.99 with an 18% retail margin that contains:
- 60GB Hard Drive
- 3 Months of Xbox Live
- Xbox 360 Wired Headset
- Xbox 360 Ethernet Cable (same one that is included with Pro and Elite)
With the end of life of the 20GB Hard Drive and the price drop of the 120GB Hard Drive to $149.99 in September, this new 60GB hard drive will fit very well into our "Choice and Value" pillar and will fit nicely into our accessory line up. Exact SKU/UPC/Set up info will come soon and once we nail down the exact MSD, I will let you all know immediately.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
7-08-2008 @ 3:05PM
untitled said...
MS is real bad at keeping the lid on things.
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7-08-2008 @ 3:07PM
Scott said...
I'm really confused about the 20GB 360 price drop and the introduction of the 60GB 360.
Is the 360 20GB going to be dropped by $50 and the 60GB introduced at $349.99? That would leave the Elite unchanged because it would have no where to move with the 60GB so close to its price. What happens with the Arcade? Dropped price or dropped altogether?
I'd rather see the 60GB introduced at $299.99 and the Elite get a price drop. MS needs to have the 360 competitive for the holidays and I can't see that happening at these price points if the 20GB is going to be allowed to end its run at $299.99 and then the 60GB is sitting at $349.99.
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7-08-2008 @ 3:12PM
Terrence Stasse said...
According to what we seem to know now, the first two sentences of your second paragraph are accurate.
The purpose of the rumored price drop seems to be to empty the shelves of the 20GB so the 60GB can come in at its old price.
But hey, anything could happen.
7-08-2008 @ 3:11PM
The Beta Max said...
If true, this sounds like they're phasing out non-HDD equipped 360s all together. Hopefully developers use the mandatory HDDs to their advantage...
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7-08-2008 @ 3:50PM
joey said...
Shit is gonna hit the fan if MS allow harddrive install.
Even games like GTA IV and Mass Effect can get away with streaming off disk.
7-08-2008 @ 3:55PM
The Beta Max said...
Yeah, mandatory HDD installs are garbage. But I'm pretty sure that developers can put some of the game onto the HDD so it cuts down on loading. The reason they don't do that is that some gamers don't have a HDD. Once MS requires sells the HDD on all SKUs then the developers can take advantage of that feature...
7-08-2008 @ 3:12PM
Anthony33 said...
$150.00 for the 120 gb is still wayyyyy to expensive for my liking.
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7-08-2008 @ 3:13PM
The Dom said...
What if you're in option b, which I'm sure many are:
* Have a 20 gb HDD 360
* Only want slightly more storage, 60 GB would suffice, no way paying $150 for 120 GB
Is there going to be a standalone 60 GB for < $99 without all the crap I dont need (live subscription, headset)?
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7-08-2008 @ 3:15PM
Terrence Stasse said...
No one knows for sure, but it looks doubtful. Microsoft likes to make a tidy profit on their HDDs.
7-08-2008 @ 3:17PM
Trogdor said...
If they don't keep the price at $299 I think it's a mistake. The PS3 is gaining momentum and in order to maintain sales I think the 360 needs to be sub $300. Maybe they'll drop it for the holidays, it's been out for 3 years, it's time to get cheaper.
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7-08-2008 @ 3:21PM
Dadidito said...
Have to say since i can't put in my own hdd ill be first in line for the 60gb.. I am tired of downloading on demo and delete at a time.
7-08-2008 @ 3:20PM
Bluemanrule said...
Thanks Terrance. Microsoft still disapoints. $149! For real!?! Well, I already have mine but I don't see this expanding their market share any time soon.
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7-08-2008 @ 3:28PM
Dwag said...
Well this seems like a smart move drop the price like how Sony did and release the new SKU all at the same time for those new coming 360 owners but its exactly like what Sony did when they wanted to phase out the 20GB and the 60GB. Well the starter pack is much better than the 20Gb HDD price so Arcade owners aren't really that screwed over.Come on $150 for a 120GB HDD is still too much and I hope the standalone 60GB HDD is $70-$80.
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7-08-2008 @ 3:28PM
emirabal said...
That 360 needs to drop to 250 for the low end version. i meangive me a frieking break, get wit the program
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7-08-2008 @ 3:32PM
Fierod said...
I hope I get a rebate on my 20gb hard drive *grumble, grumble*
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7-08-2008 @ 3:32PM
Fierod said...
WTF!!!!
I bought my Xbox Arcade console a little over a month ago, and it gets a price drop now??? Geez, i really do have terrible luck =/
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7-08-2008 @ 3:40PM
Deezul said...
WTF are you doing buying an Arcade, if you're reading X3F?
7-08-2008 @ 5:22PM
Fierod said...
The reason I got an arcade was because GTA 4 was coming out, I didn't have enough for a pro and GTA, so I just got the arcade and GTA, and got the Hard Drive later.
7-08-2008 @ 8:00PM
tan said...
see
GTA DID sell consoles:)
7-08-2008 @ 3:49PM
Phawx said...
If I were Microsoft, I would drop the pro down to $200 just to put the burner under Sony's ass. But than again I would probably bankrupt the company.
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