Xbox 360 Pro Console 20GB [Old Version]

by Microsoft

• All games are High-Definition -- supports 16 - 9, 720p or 1080i with anti-aliasing
• Detachable, Upgradeable 20GB hard drive
• Supports Memory Units starting at 64MB
• 512MB internal memory (700 MHz GDDR3 RAM)
• 12x Dual-Layer DVD-ROM

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000B43OY4
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 11.5 x 7.2 inches ; 14.4 pounds
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 15, 2005
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (780 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great! December 2, 2006

A Kid's Review

Edition:Pro Console 20GB

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

Alright, first off, I'm just going to say that I don't actually own this system, my older cousin does, but I've spent many many hours at his house playing it. This, out of all three systems out now (360, PS3, Wii) is the best one. First, you really get what you pay for, second, why buy a PS3 when the Blu-Ray format isn't doing so great, and third, the Wii has graphics comparible to the Gamecube's. Here are the pros and cons of the Xbox 360:

Pros:

- Great graphics, not quite as good as PS3's, but very close.

- Excellent wireless controller, really well felt.

- Great design, very lightweight.

- Xbox Live!!!

Cons:

- In order to connect to a wireless home network, you need to buy an extra device for $100, and old Xbox wireless adapter isn't very compatible.

- Can't play all original Xbox games, only somes with downloads coming to play most of them.

- 2005 model overheats.

As I mentioned, the 2005 models overheat. My cousin has gone through 3 2005 systems (he is a hardcore gamer), and now he has a 2006 model and it works perfectly. Even the newer versions overheat, so here's what to do:

- Do not buy the InterCooler, it is basically a waste of money to purchase something that plugs into the overheating device, and then have both of them overheat more severely.

- Place the system horizontally, NOT VERTICALLY, so the airflow completely goes through the sides.

- If you can avoid using the 20 GB hard drive and use memory units, it is a good thing. Unattach the HD and use a memory unit instead.

- ONLY place your system in a well ventilated, (NOT A CLOSED CABINET), area. Avoid putting game cases and accessories around it.

The games for this system are amazing, and there really is something for every age level. The system will not read the games if they are scratched up, so avoid putting the games on the floor or in a cabinet, rather, put them in the original case. DO NOT TOUCH THE BOTTOM OF THE GAME CD WITH YOUR HANDS!!! Doing so will greatly increase the risk of the game not working.

Also, if you can, purchase the extended warrenty. It's not neccessary, but just in case your system blows, you'll have something to depend on.

-Simon Read more ›

4 of 0 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 360 and Wii March 6, 2007

By Nicholas M. Folts VINE VOICE

Edition:Pro Console 20GB

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

I have both the 360 and the Wii... If you are a hardcore gamer then a 360 is a must have. Gears of War is worth the purchase of a 360 alone. If you are looking for a console that the whole family will enjoy, then I suggest the Wii because it has more party oriented games. 360 is definitely worth every penny, and Microsoft isn't trying to rip you off like Sony.

132 of 152 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Should Call This The XBOX180 July 28, 2007

By Amazon Customer

Edition:Pro Console 20GB

Fun: 1.0 out of 5 stars   

First of all, the name XBOX360 is a misnomer. This product should be called the XBOX180. Because when you first buy this item, you are going to love it. Give it a year and you are going to do a complete 180 and really dislike this thing. I loved it and spent a lot of money on games and accessories, and now a year and a half later I am finally getting this wretched piece of electronic negativity out of my home for good.

Right out of the box, your hardware will eventually fail. The only probability in this equation is the "when" component. I played mine about 1 hour a day. It lasted 13 months before I received a complete hardware failure. The second "refurbished" unit they sent me didn't ever work, it was broke right out of the box. The third "refurb" they sent me lasted for 2 weeks. My brothers first unit lasted 2 months, his second was a dead on arrival, he's currently on his third. I have other friends and this paragraph could go on and on, but to summarize, everyone I know that has owned a 360 has experienced it break.

But the product is unstable, fine. But that's not all you get out of the 360. You get to be treated rudely by an obnoxious twenty-something brat everytime you successfully navigate through the obnoxious robot hell that is 1-800-4MY-XBOX. And you will be calling it a lot. In fact, that is the only way to cancel your play-to-play online subscription. Anyone that experienced the AOL-impossible-to-cancel-hotline will feel right at home.

Here's one of my favorites. You have to pay for everything with "Microsoft Points" with are sold in $20 increments. Want to play the remaining levels in that $59.99 game you just bought? Not so fast, hotshot. You need to log into the "marketplace" and pay for those last few withheld levels. Want a new wallpaper? Nuh uh uh... gotta pay first. Change your gamertag? That will be $20 more please. The nickel and diming gets old really really fast.

But all those things you are buying are "DRM'd" to your console. That means that *only* your console will be able to use downloads. It's tied to your machine. But the really cute part is that when your machine breaks, and they send you a refurb... yep, you guessed it. Nothing works anymore and you get to pay for it all again. And again. And again.

This machine isn't fun, the Microsoft customer service will be smug and arrogant, and they pay-to-play model is Draconian. Microsoft is running this show like they have a monopoly. And they don't; there are much better consoles for the money out there. Read more ›

111 of 128 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars After a Year, Still a Great System December 18, 2006

By Lisa Shea HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE

Edition:Pro Console 20GB

Fun: 5.0 out of 5 stars   

We've had our XBox 360 for a year now, and have played it quite regularly. Here is our review of how it performs compared with our Wii and PS3.

First, if you're going for an XBox 360, make sure you're getting a unit with a hard drive, and get a wireless controller. The hard drive lets you download updates for your games, add your own music to soundtracks, save as many save files as you want, and do a number of XBox Live functions. They even now offer tv shows and movies to download. Believe me - you're only getting 20 gig, and it'll fill up quickly! You want to have that hard drive.

Most importantly, you can NOT play any old XBox (original) games if you don't have the hard drive. That is because the old games have to be 'converted' by software on the hard drive to be able to play in your new system. Not that not all games play on the 360 - but the most popular ones do.

Comparing this to the Wii, it's a different market area. The 360 has much better graphics than the Wii does. That's on purpose - the Wii doesn't support high definition. The Wii's motion-sensing controllers are actually a *ton* of fun for sports and party games, so if you like to play a lot of golf or "party fun" types of things, you might swing towards the Wii. If you're more a hard core gamer and love games like FarCry or Prey, it's the 360 that you'll want.

The harder comparison is between the XBox 360 and the PS3. Both support high definition graphics. Both have incredible RPGs on them (Fable, Final Fantasy). Both have incredible combat style games on them (Gears of War, Resistance). Both have hard drives for easy game saves, both have wireless controllers which I love. Both play previous-gen games.

One way to look at this is that you should get the system that supports the franchises you love. If you are completely addicted to Final Fantasy, go with the PS3. That way you can play all the old FF games and enjoy the new ones. If you are a Halo Head, and play Halo 24 hours a day, then the XBox 360 is your sure bet.

But what if you fall in the middle? I can tell you the 360 is really loud - but the PS3 gets really hot. Both seem prone to failure if poorly cared for - but both have worked perfectly fine for us so far. What else would swing your vote?

With the huge head start XBox has on the Live feature, I would have to give a nod to the XBox if you are interested in online multiplay. Sure, both the 360 and the PS3 support it - but XBox has had it for years, and many people have built up quite a network. There are tons of people online at all hours of the day or night. It's been tried, tested, and is stable.

On the other hand, if you're looking for an all-in-one media center, the PS3 with its 60 gig hard drive has the advantage. It makes it super easy for you to organize your photos, music, and much more right in the system. You don't have to siphon things from your PC or come up against quickly running out of space. I still question why the 360 only has 20 gigs of data - and they fill almost half of it up right away with system files. With Microsoft now offering to let you download high definition movies - at about 5 gig each - that's going to fill up your entire hard drive after only one or two movies. They really need to offer larger hard drives quickly.

But until then, if you're an online player, a Halo fan, or just can't get your hands on a PS3 and are tired of playing low-def games, I highly recommend the XBox 360. There are a ton of games on this system that we love, and we actively use it. Even with the Wii and PS3 in the house, there are many games that are great on the XBox 360 and we choose to play them.

Let me know if you have any specific questions on this system! Read more ›