Last week, we reported on a purported K-Mart circular ad that showed a price drop on the Xbox 360 Premium, Microsoft’s mid-range console that packs a 20GB hard drive. The page looked real enough, but with Photoshop these days, you could make a convincing photo of a massive Oreo being erected in New York City. That rumor has gotten a vote of confidence from an anonymous source that has contacted Ars Technica claiming that the 20GB price drop is real and is part of a move to discontinue that particular SKU in favor of one containing a 60GB hard drive.
The source, whom Ars Technica refers to as being “usually trustworthy,” forwarded the following communication to Ars: “At E3 Microsoft will make an official announcement that we are dropping the 20GB pro console to $299… As we launch the 60GB SKU throughout July, the 20GB SKU will DISCONTINUE. You will see the new SKU on your 7/1 price list.”
As I said regarding the original rumor, I’d wait to see if this is true before buying a 360. If you can get a bigger hard drive or save some cash, why not do it? Unless you’re dying to play Guitar Hero: Aerosmith or Hellboy: Science of Evil, there’s nothing releasing right now to warrant buying a 360 right this very second.
7 Comments to Rumor: Xbox 360 Price Drop is Real, 60GB to Replace 20GB SKU
by: brandonjclark
On June 30, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Speaking of Hellboy, I can’t wait for Golden Army!
by: Teknomuffin
On June 30, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Well, that sucks, because I payed more money for a 20GB hard drive, I wonder if we could send in our 20 GBs for a 60 GB.
by: Hekynn
On June 30, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Not bad. But I am never gonna get a 360 you have to pay to play online which I dont do. I only pay to play MMO’s like AoC.
by: Evismang
On July 1, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Ya, hopefully we can send in our 20GB drives. Seriously, we payed more money for less storage. I don’t really see it happening, but it’d be really awesome if they let us. Those 20GB ran out way fast.
by: Steve
On July 2, 2008 at 9:20 am
Long overdue. This should have happened last summer.
MS took a big gamble that people would still buy a regular 360, despite everyone’s recognition of including an overpriced low-capacity hard drive (and don’t get me started about the insanity of even having the non-hd SKU to begin with).
Since MS have been obviously been making a profit per unit sold now, it leads me to believe that replacing with a 60GB hard drive won’t affect their profit margin if it all (you eventually get to the point where the costs to manufacture a 60GB hard drive equate to the same as a 20GB hard drive).
Recent PS3 sales probably prompted them to intiate “Plan D” too
by: Marek
On July 2, 2008 at 9:50 am
This sounds great and it’s about time i got a 360 and what better time then with a
price cut and the 20 going to a 60 GB. This will go great with the Bad Company i am going to purchase with it.
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