Buying an XBOX360, halp!

[hashiriya1]

So, I am finally caving. I have been a Sony fanboy, but too many Japan-only 360 exclusives are making me buy a JDM 360. I already have a small collection of 360 titles, but I have no 360. Now, I do not know what to look out for. All I have heard were bad things about the 360, and I guess the one I will buy will eventually get the red rings.

I am guessing a used one is out of the question. A used 360 goes for $100 here, but I am afraid of a used 360. Or am I being paranoid? My question is that are any types of 360s better than others? Is an Elite going to outlast a regular one? I don't want an Elite because I want a white 360 to match my white PS3 and Wii (yeah, I am weird like that). So a new 60gb 360 seems to be the one I want, but is it constructed differently than an elite, or is the HDD and color the only major difference?

Thanks for your advice.

[the7k]

Well, Jasper units last longer. However, I dunno if they ever made Elite Jaspers. As far as I've heard, they've only been Arcade units. (Granted, I haven't heard very much.) There is a way to tell if a system is a Jasper just by looking on the info near the serial number (something dealing with voltage), but I'm not sure about the specifics.

Wish I could help ya out more, but the 360 is not my forte, it seems. However, I would definitely recommend not going with a used system, as you have already figured out. Most of the used systems I've seen get returned, usually get returned within 1-3 months.

If the Elites are using Jaspers as well, then that means the only difference between an Arcade and an Elite is the hard-drive and the color. Other than that, they are the exact same unit.

[Hobie-wan]

I don't have a 360, nor am I actively looking for one right now.

That being said, here's a guide to help identify which revision a unit is.

[GSZX1337]

Since the7k already mentioned Jasper, I'm going to chime in with: get a new 360! You'll want the warranty (consoles aren't built like they once were).

[lisalover1]

I've had my 360 for over two years now, with now problems at all. Either I'm lucky, or I just don't leave my 360 on for a week straight under a freaking couch. As long as you don't play it for excessively long periods of time, you should be able to avoid the red ring of death. Nevertheless, I'd still buy a new unit, because you really can't predict how other people have been using their 360's. I've been careful with mine, and it's paid off.

[nickfil]

Since the7k already mentioned Jasper, I'm going to chime in with: get a new 360! You'll want the warranty (consoles aren't built like they once were).

agreed. Unless you are buying from a friend who you trust to give you a legit back story and buy date on the console, i wouldn't buy a 360 used. You'll get screwed.

I assume that most 360s that are used are ones that have red ringed before, and are having chronic problems. When the seller gets the console working again, he sells it. Leaving you with the problem.

With a new one, you know you are getting the warranty from 3 years past your buy date. That is really the main thing to be sure of, even past chip set. If you get a 360 from someone, even if it is sealed, you have no idea when it was bought and so you have no idea if it is under warranty.

I've had my 360 for over two years now, with now problems at all. Either I'm lucky, or I just don't leave my 360 on for a week straight under a freaking couch. As long as you don't play it for excessively long periods of time, you should be able to avoid the red ring of death. Nevertheless, I'd still buy a new unit, because you really can't predict how other people have been using their 360's. I've been careful with mine, and it's paid off.

It is still a crapshoot though. I'd say you got a lucky one. I have a launch 360 that has never ringed. The disc drive is starting to die out only because of the frequent use. Normal wear. But i also have a Jasper that RRoDed on me within a year after i got it. And the jasper was in a better ventilated area with tons of space and only on for short periods of time. You honestly just never know.

[Niode]

I've had mine since launch and it hasn't had any problems. Granted I don't leave mine in a media center or cramped space and actually has ventilation. As long as you keep them ventilated you shouldn't have any problems.

[Bootaaay]

Granted I don't leave mine in a media center or cramped space and actually has ventilation. As long as you keep them ventilated you shouldn't have any problems.

I'm on my 4th 360 and each one has been kept on a completely clean desktop with about a foot of space each way between the 360 and other appliances, just because a 360 is well ventilated isn't insurance against it breaking down (for a variety of reasons). It's just the luck of the draw.

[Krooner]

I'm on my third living room system right now (Falcon board) If you can get an already RROD console cheap the fix is real easy to do, I bought a red ringed Japanese console for £45 and it's outlasted 2 of my others...

[puke_face]

I got a used pro 360 with hdmi output and a 20gig hard drive from the b/s/t thread. Haven't had it for very long, but haven't had any issues. The only 2 games I have for it are Fable II and Forza Motorsport 2, and both are very good games. Bootay said it best, just the luck of the draw.