So, the rumors are apparently true. The black Xbox 360 will be released sometime later this year and will be known as the Xbox 360 Elite. Other than a shiny new coat of black paint, each purchase of this spanking new console will feature an upgraded 120GB hard drive in addition to an HDMI port and cable. Looks like Microsoft has upped the ante against the Sony PlayStation 3 by offering a console that is much closer in specifications when compared to the Xbox Premium bundle. Of course, Microsoft still has not made the move to throw a HD DVD drive into the bundle in order to increase the market penetration of the HD DVD format, which is a rather strange thing since Sony is already sounding the death knell for HD DVD and trumpeting Blu-ray’s “victory”.

The big question would be – how much will the Xbox 360 Elite cost? This new bundle will set you back by $479, bringing the price closer to the 60GB PS3. It will arrive sometime later this month at retail shelves in limited quantities, and once the initial run is over, you won’t be able to get any anymore. The current Premium bundle will also be replaced with the white version of the Xbox 360 Elite. Will this be the end of the Core system, just like how retailers everywhere have given up on the 20GB PS3?

If you do not yet own either an Xbox 360 or PS3, will the release of the Xbox 360 Elite force your hand into making a decision? Will you wait until the current Premium bundle drop in price? After all, Microsoft did mention before that 20GB was more than enough, and now they’re stuffing 120GB down our throats. It would be interesting to see how the console war pans out with the introduction of the Elite.

Source: Joystiq

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