Long story short I'm buying another Xbox 360, but because its not for myself I want to make sure I get a newer one so the chances of failure are lessened.

Basically what I want to know is if should I check the manufactured date. I ask this because the more recently manufactured are supposedly less prone to failure and even though I have not had problems with mine (which I got about 3 months after launch) I do not want to give someone a defective present.

So - Is checking the manufactured date still needed or can I safely go pick one up without worry of getting an older model?


Thanks for any help and insights anyone can offer.

i think there ok i got a elite altough i got it just this christmas and havent had a problem yet and its gotten played alot.

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im nervous about the whole situation too. I want to buy one but I hear nothing but issues almost everyone I know that has one has had to send theirs in. looks great when it works just super weak when it breaks

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I know what you're saying. I'm amazed mine has lasted so long. I take good care of it, but still...its almost unheard of when someone has one so old.

I went ahead and bought one though. I researched it more and found out that all you have to check is the power consumption(175w instead of 203w) to find one with a new chip in it. Just look on the box and it says. Hopefully it lasts...

What about that Falcon??? Xbox 360 Elite and how can you tell?

yea if i pick one up im definitely getting the extended warranty. Im still not sure what it has over my PS3 though I would just be getting it to hang with local friends instead of people around the country...oh well we shall see.

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From what I've been told in the emails I've gotten from Xbox 360 Hardware Assistance all the newer systems(Arcade, Pro, Elite, Halo LE) have the improved Falcon Chip. The way you can identify the Falcon is by the power supply. The Falcon uses 175w while the older chips all used 203w. By looking on the box/console you can identify if your Xbox has a Falcon Chip in it - all it has to say is 175w.

Every time a new system comes out you know its going to have problems which is fine, it's technology and its new perfectly understandable for it to have issues. So I had planned on waiting like 6 months to a year before picking a 360 up but they just kept having problems, so I guess now finally it appears to be coming around.

Just hate how I'll be stuck between buying for PS or MS

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Thanks for that info, was getting worried about my 360, So I checked what you said and the powerpack reads this "175w" :).

edit: no worries

I agree with you on that...I wait about a week after a game comes out and a minimum of 3 months before I buy a new system to see how it is and what not. Although I kinda jumped the gun on the 360 and bought it before the problems went away, I have to say I gotten lucky - I've had no problems with mine. Hopefully my brother will have none with his.

And I don't quite mind choosing between MS and PS because both companies produce good products(usually). My only gripe is that I wish they would test them further and not try to get a head start(both guilty this time). Its counter intuitive to rush to release so you can get a large fan base only to lose what you gained because you rushed.

Happy I could help.

Ive never needed to get a new xbox lucky me

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