Xbox 360

So what exactly is all the fuss about? We take a look at the Xbox 360 hardware...

The Xbox 360 Core System

The Xbox 360 hardware is certainly a deceptive bit of kit. Just look at those lovely svelte lines. It really looks the part sat under the TV. Yet for all its beauty it's not actually much smaller than the old Xbox. Clearly the design really works and makes what is a huge console, seem quite a reasonable size.

In the image above you can see the disk tray on the left with the button to open it. Below it, from left to right we have the IR port (for using a media remote), two memory card slots and the wireless controller connect button. Over on the right we have the USB bay and the large power button surrounded by lights.

These lights are used to show how many controllers are connected and to give error messages to the user. The two USB ports are hidden neatly by the flap on the right. There's another round the back too. You can use these sockets to connect wired controllers, cameras, media players, iPods, PSPs and the like.

Look at the size of that thing!

I'm certainly impressed by the looks of the machine, though it is hard to find somewhere to put it. It can easily overheat and it must be placed in a well ventilated spot. I've had no problems with my own console as far as overheating goes, but I've been pretty careful with it.

As you can see in the photo of the power supply, it really is a large item. I've placed a game case next to it to help you judge its scale. However as long as you hide it away in some well ventilated location you really don't have to think about it again. Having an external power supply keeps the console itself a little cooler and keeps the size down. The 360 draws more power than any previous console and needs a substantial power source. It's important to make sure your power supply has room to breath as the Xbox 360 won't boot if the PSU or the console itself is too hot.

Fitting the 20 GB Hard Drive

While the Core System offers a lower entry into next-gen gaming, you're going to find your experience hampered without a way of storing game saves and other media, especially if you're going to use Xbox Live. I fitted the official 20 GB hard drive to my console. The console will use 7 GB for itself, as a scratch disk for example during play. But that will leave 13 GB to fill with media, music and the like.

Fitting the hard drive is simplicity itself. You merely push in a little tab on the side of the console to remove the side plate and then replace it with the hard drive, which slots in neatly. There's no need to format the drive, it's ready to use right away. You can go into the Xbox Dashboard though and format the drive if you wish or rename it.

In operation the Xbox 360 is rather noisy, not in an unpleasant way as the original Xbo was, but you will notice it. Thankfully not all the fans operate at once. When just looking around the dashboard and not playing a game the console is pretty quiet. It's only when you fire up a game that the volume of fan noise increases as the Xbox 360 tries to keep all that custom hardware cool.