xbox next

[AXmichigan]

Next Xbox to skip hard drive? *updated*
>> It was already a rumor before and now there's more talking about it.
From news.com:

Flash memory maker M-Systems announced on Wednesday that it has signed a contract to provide storage products for future versions of the Xbox, bolstering speculation that Microsoft may ditch the game console's hard drive.

M-Systems said in a statement that it has signed an agreement with Microsoft to develop "customized memory units for future Xbox products and services."
Ronit Maor, chief financial officer at Israel-based M-Systems, said the company could not discuss details of the contract. But Maor said the devices under development would be of significantly higher capacity than the 8MB Xbox memory units Microsoft currently sells to save game and user data. "What we're going to offer for the Xbox doesn't currently exist," Maor said.

Jay Srivatsa, a senior analyst at research firm iSuppli, said the Xbox hard drive so far has been used mainly for ancillary functions like saving progress in a game, not to improve the way games work. Sacrificing the hard drive could be a relatively painless way to trim $10 or $20 per unit from production costs. "I can see why they'd attempt to do that--the hard disk usage on the current Xbox has been pretty minimal," he said. "At some point, this has got to be a profitable business for Microsoft. They have to draw some lines; look at what can they take out."

Update: gamepro.com has more info about which type of memory will be used:

According to M-Systems, the memory will be "based on the Smart DiskOnKey platform," sharing the "same firmware and software components."

(February 25 23:28 GMT+1) - (direct link to article)
(Posted by:: XanTium)

i have one word to describe this
but i think i could get banned for life for sayin it 8)

[rms2001]

I read this over at X-S's frount page. It blows.
I think Microsoft would be fools not in include a HDD in the XBox2.

[AXmichigan]

yea it would suck soo bad then
my thoughts still are, are that the systems that are out now
will be the peak for gaming..
just because any new system after thats gonna be almost, if not actually, a pc

[MrCaine01]

a lot of people think that one of the reasons they're getting rid of the HDD is cuz of all the flexibilty it has on modding the system and people pirating the games. personally I liked the Hdd in the system cuz I didn't need to shell out an extra 40 bucks for a memory card....figures now I have to do it, stupid microsoft.

[AXmichigan]

i love the hdd idea
very clever
takin it out will be the absolutely stupidest move they can do
and if they make it non-compatitable with xbox games.. they can just wish their money good buy
id even think about buy a ps3
although sony sucks @$$
right tyler 8)

[Quall999]

me too. The xbox hdd was a big reason for me wanting the xbox. Because of the soundtrack feature mostly.

[MrCaine01]

I'll bereally disappointed in some of Microsoft's decisions about xbox 2 if they prove to be true. I mean it wasn't my favorite system to begin with but it had some great functionality and when modded became so much more than just a game console and I fell for it because of it's potential, not what it was supposed to be. By limiting what the next incarnation of the the 'box it might cause a market backlash against microsoft, making home consoles even more of a hole to dig out of. MS really needs to consider some other options before they screw themselves...leaving Sony in the winner's circle again.

[Quall999]

MS losing the HDD and baclwords compatability will pit them in the sme position in the market as the first xbox. Like they are just entering into the gaming scene. Downgrading system options amd expecting to sell more consoles than the xbox. Can we say "unrealistic"?

[Pop Smith]

I found a quote somewhere (I forgot where) that said getting rid of the HD would not effect backwords compatablity w. the original Xbox games, but, this is crap. Microsoft has even said themselves that the Xbox HDD helps the games function better and load faster.

[AXmichigan]

oo no
i didnt say the dependence of that was on the hdd
im just sayin
if they dont have at the least, both of those
they better expect not getitn much sales

[Pop Smith]

I know that you did not say that the box is dependent on the hdd, i read it somewere esle. I agree w. MrCaine01

MS really needs to consider some other options before they screw themselves...leaving Sony in the winner's circle again.

. Sony would definetly be the winner if microsoft takes out the hdd. Its really stupid to take out the hdd just because it makes it a little (or alot) eaiser to backup games. People were backing up PS2 games pretty quickly after it came out and it did not have a hdd. Microsoft would definetly mess up any chance of beating Sony in the console war if they take out the hdd for the Xbox 2.

[AXmichigan]

hmm k
yea
the ps3 will own xbox, hands down, cuz the ps3 will have an hdd, if microsoft bails
say good bye to their money

[TylerDurden]

Originally posted by AXmichigan
the ps3 will own xbox, hands down

Tyler!

[AXmichigan]

hehe
shut up!
its the ps3 if anythin!
not taht garbage ps2!
8)
thats if
and only if
the xbox next doesnt have an hdd

[Pop Smith]

It has been confirmed today (3/5/04) that the Xbox 2 won't have a hdd. You can read about it here
looks like MS has screwed themselves over and are going to loose the PS3 vs Xbox2 war when it debuts next year.