thinking about getting a 360....

[sportsdude]

So, I've finally decided to put the ole XBOX (bought it used and never had a problem) to rest and pick up a 360. I like the Wii and the PS3 but they don't satisfy my taste in shooters and online play. Plus, Halo 3, enough said for me.

Anyway, I was reading the "3 rings of death - discuss here" thread and now I'm scared. I mean, how many people here have had no trouble with their 360s? Anybody? Buehler? I don't play games all that much anymore since I work so much, but I usually find enough time in the week to get in some good rounds of XBL, usually Halo 2 or Rainbow 6, and it with so many people now on the 360, it's hard to find a decent game.

I like XBL, I like the 360 controller, I like the price. I do not like the horror stories. Like I said, I work a lot, so if I had a 360 that died I wouldn't really have the time to call up customer support and ship out/receive a fixed one, not to mention I don't like the idea of continually paying for extended warranty though I figure I would almost have to.

So basically my question is, is it worth it? I've played the 360 and love it, but after seeing these horror stories about 3 rings of death, I am not so enthusiastic now. I thought by now they would have the kinks worked out and have quality systems on the shelves but I suppose that's not happening either. What should I do?

[nyisles16]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

yes..... the 360 is worth it.. indeed it does have it's problems (I am on my third right now), but the best piece of advice is to get a store warantee.. I have brought back mine 2x's, & just for $40 (each), I get a new machine, no questions asked.. better than waiting for MS to repair/ send you out another refirb machine ......

[jgo777]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

I'm still on my launch system and haven't had any problems (knock on wood). I have a buddy who bought a 360 in November and his has worked like a charm also. He leaves it on for days at a time too, the crazy bastard. Buy an in store warranty and you should be fine.

[Gary Armida]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Definitely go the in-store warranty--well worth the money. It's much easier to exchange yours, if it breaks down (or even a controller) than waiting a couple of weeks to get a refurb through MS.

[Scottdau]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Definitely go the in-store warranty--well worth the money. It's much easier to exchange yours, if it breaks down (or even a controller) than waiting a couple of weeks to get a refurb through MS.

Yep best way to do it. I got mine at bestbuy with a 2 year warranty. best thing I ever did. I have had no problems yet and I have had it almost 7 months!

[TIm]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

On another thread like this someone said that Target is one of the best places to get a warranty. The reason is instead of just swapping it out you get a giftcard for the purchase price of your 360...I might go pick my 360 at target and down the road if the price drops I'll bring it back along with my receipt and get a gc. Then repurchase the 360 at hopefully 299

[jdros13]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

I bought mine in October, and haven't had a hint of a problem. I did buy the warranty from Best Buy though, and would recommend you do the same since there have been such horror stories.

I do two things different with this than I did with my xbox - (1) it is on top of my little entertainment table, not on one of the shelves (better airflow) and (2) I always go to the dashboard before I turn it off. The loudness everyone complains about is the dvd drive whirring, so I just make sure that I stop that before shutting down. I compare it to a car....You (should) always put your car in park before you turn it off, not turn it off while you are still moving. Going to the dashboard first is like putting the 360 in park IMO, since it shuts down the dvd drive.

Have fun gaming...and I hope you have a HDTV to get the most out of the system!

[sportsdude]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Hey thanks for the feedback guys. My fear has subsided now and I will likely get one tomorrow since it's my only day off for another week or so.

A couple more questions though:

Should I get the Core or the Regular? I Don't plan on saving too many games so I could probably get by with a memory card, but I like the wireless controller. Can I buy a wireless for the Core, or is it mandatory to have a Regular 360 to use wireless controllers?

What's the best place to buy one? I've heard Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc., but what place is truly the best? Which place offers good warranty options?

As far Live accounts go, I currently have one for XBOX and would upgrade to gold or whatever it is when I got my 360. But I'm tired of my gamertag and want a new one. Can I change it when I go gold, or do I just have to start a new account?

For the Live, can I use my old headset and mic (first party) or do I have to get the 360 specific one?

Thanks.

[davehughes14]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

I've had my 360 for a year now and haven't had any problems with it. I do have the intercooler on the back, but I don't know if that's helping or not. I've read some people's horror stories with the intercooleron here, and I 'm actually thinking about taking mine off. But just like everyone has said, get the instore warranty. Gives you piece of mind that if something should happen, you'll easily be able to get a replacement!

[The GIGGAS]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Hey thanks for the feedback guys. My fear has subsided now and I will likely get one tomorrow since it's my only day off for another week or so.

A couple more questions though:

Should I get the Core or the Regular? I Don't plan on saving too many games so I could probably get by with a memory card, but I like the wireless controller. Can I buy a wireless for the Core, or is it mandatory to have a Regular 360 to use wireless controllers?

What's the best place to buy one? I've heard Target, Best Buy, Walmart, etc., but what place is truly the best? Which place offers good warranty options?

As far Live accounts go, I currently have one for XBOX and would upgrade to gold or whatever it is when I got my 360. But I'm tired of my gamertag and want a new one. Can I change it when I go gold, or do I just have to start a new account?

For the Live, can I use my old headset and mic (first party) or do I have to get the 360 specific one?

Thanks.

I would suggest the Premium, but you can use wireless controllers on the Core.

Go with a place with a good warranty just to be safe.

You can change it for a price of 800 MS Points which I think is about 10 bucks.

I believe the new mic comes with the Xbox 360 itself, so you're good there (yes, you do have to use the new one).

[sportsdude]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Is there any difference between the Core and the Regular besides being able to save games?

[Skyboxer]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Is there any difference between the Core and the Regular besides being able to save games?

To me it makes no sense to get the core. Downloadable content off of LIVE, demos etc.. ESPECIALLY the downloadable content (Extra maps / levels)

Having to not worry about memory cards also is huge with me. You also get the headset, remote control and wireless controller with the premium.

just my .02.

[TIm]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Yeah. By the time you get a wireless controller and a Memory card you will have almost paid the price of a premium

[sportsdude]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

To me it makes no sense to get the core. Downloadable content off of LIVE, demos etc.. ESPECIALLY the downloadable content (Extra maps / levels)

Having to not worry about memory cards also is huge with me. You also get the headset, remote control and wireless controller with the premium.

just my .02.

At a $100 less, I'm looking for reasons to get the Premium. I won't download much content (no trailers or any of that crap, just some additional content/map packs for my shooters) and I don't mind worrying about memory cards as long as they can hold a lot of storage. I should reiterate that I'm not going to have many games or play a lot of saved game type stuff. Mainly, I'll probably pick up Pro Evolution Soccer, Gears of War and Rainbow Six: Vegas and that will tide me over until Halo 3 comes out.

[sportsdude]

Re: thinking about getting a 360....

Yeah. By the time you get a wireless controller and a Memory card you will have almost paid the price of a premium

OK well I hadn't looked at prices yet but I was concerned about this. I suppose I'll just bite the bullet and get the premium.