Review of XBOX 360
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The US Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is a truly excellent gaming platform. However, as with any piece of brilliantly executed hardware, the software that backs it up can do much to improve or hamstring the hardware itself. In the case of the Xbox 360, it is actually a mixed bag. The latest software versions do some things very well but in other cases, the unit is so held back by the software that it is almost tragic. For those outside of the United States especially, they have to be creative to gain access to the US Xbox live marketplace which is the actual hub for all things Xbox 360 related.
Xbox 360 Basics
The Xbox 360 console debuted in 2005 to much praise initially. From there, the consumer complaints from around the world began to ominously trickle in of hardware failure issues. Since then, Microsoft has taken great pains to improve the reliability of these units and in 2009 issues a ground up overhaul, calling the new unit the Xbox 360 slim. Both sport a triple core PowerPC processor running at 3.2ghz each and the difference from the older unit to the new one is a slightly smaller architecture as well as dramatically improved cooling to help prevent the dreaded red ring of death that many early units were plagued with.
Xbox 360 units can output video at up to 1080p but can scale down as far as standard definition and work on an older more square TV. Newer models have HDMI connections while older ones have a proprietary connector requiring the purchaser to pick the right adaptor for their particular needs. Audio output is in Dolby digital surround. Storage varies from a 256mb memory card up to a 180gb harddrive that housed in a proprietary shell that attaches to the exterior of the unit. For those wanting to transport their data, it is handy but it is next to impossible to upgrade the harddrive to a larger one, unlike the PS3 which will accept any standard 2.5 inch harddrive.
Xbox 360 In Use
The Xbox 360 delivers an amazingly immersive experience when being used for what it was originally designed: gaming. The video is excellent at all times and the surround sound audio can elevate game play and actually make a player better, especially in first person shooter style games. The number of games in the Xbox 360 catalogue is absolutely staggering as well, especially considering how few were released when the Xbox 360 was originally available. Many are cross platform title but Microsoft has in house designed games including the popular Halo series which is almost enough for some to consider owning an Xbox 360 by itself.
Other elements of the Xbox360, however, are not as stellar. The main competitor, the PS3, does some things far better than the Xbox360. DVD playback is less than stellar on the Xbox 360 and since the HD DVD format war has ended; there is no usefulness to having an HD-DVD player (versus the Bluray player in the PS3).
On top of this, Xbox 360 software has very strict geolocation controls. Trying to use a Xbox 360 console in other parts of the world can be incredibly frustrating because of these controls. This is more on the server side than the Xbox’s side but it is still frustrating. Xbox Live is the online access portion of the Xbox and is a necessary thing to have for getting updates as well as getting access to game previews and other content. For those in other countries, they get their country’s version of Xbox Live but it is, in general, an unworthy substitute for what Americans get.
Getting around the Geolocation on Xbox 360
Luckily, it is possible to gain access to the Xbox marketplace from other countries but it takes some doing. By connecting the Xbox 360 to a laptop running a VPN client, it is easy to connect through the laptop to the VPN which then has a US IP address. XBOX VPN These VPN services are inexpensive and have fast download speeds. For unlocking features of games or even updating games, this may be necessary because of the way the Xbox 360’s servers have set up their geolocation access.