Xbox 360 to use solely with Kinect - 4GB or 250GB version?
December 23, 2010 11:40 AM Subscribe
I want an Xbox 360 to play Kinect games. Should I buy the 4GB version or the 250GB version?
Does the 4GB version of the Xbox 360 provide enough space to play Kinect games? I already have a PS3 and still plan to use that as my main gaming system. I want the Xbox 360 just for Kinect. Is it really worth the extra $100 for the 250GB version if I'm only going to play Kinect games?
Also, how difficult is it to install a larger hard drive on the 4GB version?
The 4GB model is enough space for Kinect-enabled games (Kinect Sports, Kinectimals, Dance Central). Especially if you're only using it memory purposes - no XBLA downloads, etc.
Once the software library gets a little bigger, you may want to spring for the standalone 250GB internal hard drive.
posted by AloneOssifer at 11:44 AM on December 23, 2010
Once the software library gets a little bigger, you may want to spring for the standalone 250GB internal hard drive.
posted by AloneOssifer at 11:44 AM on December 23, 2010
I can easily see Kinect games down the line that would need more than 4 gig. I would definitely get the 250.
posted by jbickers at 11:45 AM on December 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by jbickers at 11:45 AM on December 23, 2010 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You could easily get by with the smaller version. On the other hand, I'd recommend getting a bigger one. Long ago, I bought a 360 with no drive at all (!), ended up buying a separate 20GB drive for it which cost more in the long run.
I'm not up on the current line of 360 products. But do they have some unit priced between 4GB and 250GB? My 20GB is a little small in my opinion, but 250 is gigantic and probably not worth it at all unless you're going to download movies or use it as a media center.
I'm not a member of XBox Live Gold, but anyone can download free demos, which are a really good way of trying a game and can be +/- 1.3GB each. Also, Xbox Live Arcade has some really great games you might want to try some day... and more and more keep coming out. Save games which are saved to the HD also can stack up.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:49 AM on December 23, 2010
I'm not up on the current line of 360 products. But do they have some unit priced between 4GB and 250GB? My 20GB is a little small in my opinion, but 250 is gigantic and probably not worth it at all unless you're going to download movies or use it as a media center.
I'm not a member of XBox Live Gold, but anyone can download free demos, which are a really good way of trying a game and can be +/- 1.3GB each. Also, Xbox Live Arcade has some really great games you might want to try some day... and more and more keep coming out. Save games which are saved to the HD also can stack up.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:49 AM on December 23, 2010
Best answer: The 4 GB will not suit you for the medium-to-long term. I have a 20 GB drive on my non-Kinect 360. I can install (installing reduces load times and DVD drive noise) at most one or two games, with the rest of the space taken up by a few add ons and saved games. If you get a single 360 game that you would like to install, 4 GB isn't enough.
posted by meowzilla at 12:05 PM on December 23, 2010
posted by meowzilla at 12:05 PM on December 23, 2010
You can use USB keys for game installations, saves, and everything.
So if you're like me and have a bunch of 64gb USB sticks lying around the 4GB system works fine.
posted by zephyr_words at 12:24 PM on December 23, 2010
So if you're like me and have a bunch of 64gb USB sticks lying around the 4GB system works fine.
posted by zephyr_words at 12:24 PM on December 23, 2010
Just get the 4GB. You don't need to install games to play them. You don't need to worry about DVD drive noise with the 4GB model, as it's newer and quieter than the one meowzilla is talking about.
posted by sinfony at 1:01 PM on December 23, 2010
posted by sinfony at 1:01 PM on December 23, 2010
Best answer: I believe Xboxes can only use up to two 16gb sticks at a time, so don't count on being able to use any 64gb sticks for game storage purposes. Still, 32gigs should be plenty for game installs and such. I guess the question is: how sure are you that the Xbox will remain a Kinect only experience for you? If you are dead-set on only using it for Kinect, I'd think the base model plus maybe one thumbdrive should be all you'd need.
posted by joelhunt at 1:14 PM on December 23, 2010
posted by joelhunt at 1:14 PM on December 23, 2010
I bought the 250gb. It is silent and fast. I am positive the Kinect library is going to grow quite a bit and I don't want the hassle of installing more memory or using sticks/flash drives.
By the way, the Kinect is tons of fun, and definitely provides a great workout.
posted by bearwife at 1:26 PM on December 23, 2010
By the way, the Kinect is tons of fun, and definitely provides a great workout.
posted by bearwife at 1:26 PM on December 23, 2010
My coworker bought a Western Digital 250gb caviar black drive and a xbox360 hard drive enclosure. Works fine.
posted by liquoredonlife at 2:07 PM on December 23, 2010
posted by liquoredonlife at 2:07 PM on December 23, 2010
My coworker bought a Western Digital 250gb caviar black drive and a xbox360 hard drive enclosure. Works fine.
I wouldn't recommend this route, Microsoft comes down real hard on anyone modifying hardware (i.e. Not using official Microsoft-branded hardware). This is a quick way to get a console ban.
posted by InsanePenguin at 3:01 PM on December 23, 2010
I wouldn't recommend this route, Microsoft comes down real hard on anyone modifying hardware (i.e. Not using official Microsoft-branded hardware). This is a quick way to get a console ban.
posted by InsanePenguin at 3:01 PM on December 23, 2010
There have been no bans, ever, for user made or 3rd party hard drives on the 360. My own hard drive has been on live for 2 years, no problem. Modding the firmware on the dvd to play disc copies, yes, plenty.
The drive caddy liquoredonlife links to is for the older 360, not the new slim model. Its substantially easier to fit your own laptop drive to the new slims, you don't even need a caddy at a pinch. Failing that, you can buy the official slim 250gb drive later, i think its $130. Still not as simple as the ps3 though.
If its just for kinect, you can get away with the 4gb for now no problem. I like my drive for disc installs, but the slim is way quieter anyway so its less of an issue.
posted by ArkhanJG at 6:17 AM on December 24, 2010
The drive caddy liquoredonlife links to is for the older 360, not the new slim model. Its substantially easier to fit your own laptop drive to the new slims, you don't even need a caddy at a pinch. Failing that, you can buy the official slim 250gb drive later, i think its $130. Still not as simple as the ps3 though.
If its just for kinect, you can get away with the 4gb for now no problem. I like my drive for disc installs, but the slim is way quieter anyway so its less of an issue.
posted by ArkhanJG at 6:17 AM on December 24, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! I think I'll go for the 4GB version for now and if necessary purchase official slim drive later.
posted by parakeetdog at 9:25 PM on December 29, 2010
posted by parakeetdog at 9:25 PM on December 29, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
That said, you'll be better off with the 250gb model because a lot of xbox games expect it, and some (Halo:Reach comes to mind) won't allow you to use co-op if you don't have a hard drive.
posted by Oktober at 11:43 AM on December 23, 2010 [1 favorite]