The Xbox 360 has gone Elite, as Microsoft launched yesterday the high-end version of its video game console. With a larger storage capacity, a sleek matte-black look and a high-definition video port, the Xbox 360 Elite will retail for $479.

Although the price tag is about $80 more than the Pro version of the Xbox 360, it’s still slightly less expensive than the lower-end model of Sony’s PlayStation 3. Both are substantially more than Nintendo’s popular Wii.

The Elite includes a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), component video cables and the Xbox Live headset, as well as a wireless game controller. The HDMI connection is a single cable which combines both high-definition video and digital audio output. Both the headset and the controller come in Elite black.

The Elite’s detachable 120GB hard drive, six times larger than previous 360 drives and twice the size of the PS3′s, is available for sale separately to owners of existing Xbox systems.

Some initial reviews of the Elite have expressed disappointment over whether the machine delivers more than current models. They note that the WiFi adapter and HD DVD must still be purchased separately.

But Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research, said features are “always a balance” against costs. “Wireless can easily be added on,” he noted, “and HD DVD is still available if consumers want it.”

Source: Sci-Tech Today