360 free storage upgrade

[Doctor Fugue]

Has anyone tried this yet? Microsoft is offering a free (refurbished) 20 GB hard drive to anyone who doesn't have one. I haven't heard too much about it and don't know all the details.

I know the haters out there will pounce on the obvious attempt to get users to pay more for downloading movies and such, but still it seems like a nice gesture towards people who weren't willing to buy a hard drive in the first place.

Also, is it just for old Core customers, or does it include recent Arcade customers? Can someone go out today and buy an Arcade console and then immediately get the upgrade?

The official site doesn't make everything completely clear, but other "news" sites seem to think it's a fair deal without the usual small-print qualifications.

http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/hardw ... efault.htm

[Niode]

This sounds like Microsoft is finally going to push everyone to use a hard drive with it's console. It's a sly move but they really needed to do it. Especially if they want to compete spec for spec against the PS3.

[Scooter]

Also, is it just for old Core customers, or does it include recent Arcade customers? Can someone go out today and buy an Arcade console and then immediately get the upgrade?
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/hardw ... efault.htm

That's a very good question. I might just breakdown and buy an Arcade 360 if I could get a free hard drive in the deal.

[Mr. Stripe]

Can anyone confirm this?

This might be the deal breaker for me. I'd love an arcade + free hd.

The price of the Pro scares me though

[Pulsar_t]

If only MS went Sony's route and used a standard SATA interface for its Xbox. It bit them in the ass with the original Xbox so I imagine they got a better deal this time around. Still, even being the neo-control freaks Sony did impress me with the choice to make its PS3 compatible with standard hard disks.

[superlarz]

I wonder how to know who exactly is eligible. i would run out and buy an arcade if i knew i could get a free hard drive..

[Flak Beard]

This offer is only for adopters of the original core model. Basically MS is providing a way for all users to be able to experience NXE. You cannot get a free HDD by purchasing an Arcade model, because it comes with a 512MB memory unit which is able to store the 128MB NXE download.

Also, from what I've read, the memory upgrade program will be giving out 512MB cards for free but the 20GB HDDs will be $20 to those that qualify.

[Doctor Fugue]

Ahhh. Thanks for the extra info. I didn't suppose I could get a free HDD with a new JP Arcade model!

Twenty dollars is not bad for those who want the NEW Xperience, coupled with a fantastic amount of blockbuster movies available from Netflix, not to mention all the great Xbox Originals and XBLA coming soon! Yes, I work for Microsoft.

Off-topic, I refuse to use those damn avatars if at all possible. I will look away any time it comes on screen.

[nickfil]

This offer is only for adopters of the original core model. Basically MS is providing a way for all users to be able to experience NXE. You cannot get a free HDD by purchasing an Arcade model, because it comes with a 512MB memory unit which is able to store the 128MB NXE download.

Also, from what I've read, the memory upgrade program will be giving out 512MB cards for free but the 20GB HDDs will be $20 to those that qualify.

yup- the second junker xbox i have upstairs at the computer is an old old guy. I have no idea what he came with originally because i got him used from a friend who got it used off of craigslist. I put the info in and low and behold- i can get a memory card or 20 bucks for a harddrive.

picked up the HDD.

[ZenLogikos]

Off-topic, I refuse to use those damn avatars if at all possible. I will look away any time it comes on screen.

Supposedly, the first thing you do upon successful NXE dash install is to create an avatar. Mandatory. But there are templates and you could pick one and be done with it.

We're not looking forward to your hideous doppelganger anyway!