Xbox 360 Data Transfer Cable
The Xbox 360 Slim Model
As you might know, Microsoft have released a brand new slim version of the Xbox 360. This console had been in planning for quite a while, and it was not expected to be launched as fast as it has been.
The very first thing that you see with this console is that it's not loads slimmer, it's just more compact than the older version. The actual base unit is roughly an inch and a half smaller in size, and it has a much smoother plastic case on it. The shiny black look is very cool, but grubby fingerprints are all over it if you touch it, just like the old PS3 models. The good news is that you can wipe them off easily, however they will come back!
The power button and DVD drive button are now touch sensitive, which is the same as the PS3 console. It's a cool little change as it saves the console pointless wear and tear from jabbing the buttons repeatedly. The power supply brick, as some call it, is now smaller than the old one, by around a couple of inches. It also weighs a bit less than the original block. This may or may not be important to you, but it is a change that I found.
There are also a few more hardware improvements with this new system. The hard drive that comes with the slim console is much smaller than the older model. The previous hard drive was a long block that snapped into the console (and would sometimes fall off) whereas the new one is a very small disk style hard drive that is harder to take off. You can transfer data from one console to another with a transfer cable, which is fairly cheap to purchase.
The Xbox 360 slim has five USB ports, whereas the old console had just three. If you're somebody that like to connect lots of things in (things such as wired controllers, an Xbox Camera, headset or anything else) then there's lots of space to add them on. You can also use the new USB hard drives that Microsoft released last year, which you will require as the new model doesn't actually have any slots for memory cards.
Now onto one of this big problems that hit lots of the original Xbox 360 models - the hated "red ring of death." Old systems commonly overheated, stopping the system completely and causing the three red lights to flash on the front. The Xbox 360 slim tackles this issue with a new Valhalla chip set, which lets the system run a lot quieter than earlier models. The system can get rather hot at the top of the vent, so be careful when touching it. If the system ends up overheating it will automatically shut down to save itself, which avoids the RROD. The only problem with this is that it's rather annoying if you're half way through an intensive game, however look at the bright side, you just saved your console. Or should I say, your console saved itself!
The new systems contain built in wifi, whereas the older systems required a special connecter which was rather expensive to be able to connect wirelessly. Connecting to your wireless network is very straight forward now.
All in all the Xbox 360 slim console is nice, as it's smaller and efficient than the older 360 models. And there's the bonus of no more RROD! It's not perfect, but it's slowly getting there.
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