Competition Makes Everyone a Winner: 360 Elite to Get Price Cut August 30th?

Via Kotaku.

Looks like we have an execution date for the Xbox 360 Pro model, with this shot from a Meijer catalogue due on August 30 indicating the 360 Elite is in line for a Pro-sized price cut.

You'll remember, of course, that the origins of this rumour - Ars Technica's ever-reliable Microsoft mole - are that the 360 Pro is being phased out, taken off the market entirely, and that the 360 Elite will have its price slashed to that of the Pro to compensate. This will leave only two 360 consoles to choose from: the cheap, hard drive-less Arcade and the 120GB HDD Elite.

'Lo and behold, according to this catalogue, that move looks like it'll take place a couple of weeks from now. So long, 360 Pro model. You lived, you red-ringed, you loved.

We've contacted Microsoft for comment, and will update if we hear back from them. If they don't confirm today there's a good change they'll announce next week during Gamescom.

So basically, just a bigger harddrive versus the Pro, right? Good deal all around. Though the potentially $100-$200 (for the $400 and $500 PS3 SKUs, respectively), price drop for the PS3 will probably have a much larger impact. Good news all around.

Does that price drop include the Resident Evil 4 bundle do you think? If so that is a pretty good deal, especially since they are Jaspers.

It's too bad practically everyone (myself included) already has a 360!

Give it up. Price cuts are Red Ocean material. Come up with some Blue Ocean tactics.

Oh, I see. The console that Microsoft should have released from the start is now going down in price? Too late for a lot of disgruntled consumers who've already shelled out next to £350 to get an inferior model and had it break down on more than a few occasions.

Bah.

~ Adhamh.

Originally Posted by Adhamh

Oh, I see. The console that Microsoft should have released from the start.

What is it with misinterpretations like this?

People were also saying that the Wiimote should also have had WM+ preinstalled from the beginning, yet they fail to look at it from a business perspective.

Originally Posted by Double A

What is it with misinterpretations like this?

People were also saying that the Wiimote should also have had WM+ preinstalled from the beginning, yet they fail to look at it from a business perspective.

What? Selling a truly inferior piece of hardware just to re-release a supposedly better one, even though you've had to spend a fortune in postage and repairs for customers who have had repeated faults?

No, I don't really see that as good business. I can't believe Microsoft have gotten off so lightly when it comes down to how poor the original 360 was. If anything though, it's the fault of customers who just keep going back.

~ Adhamh.

What? I just got a new X-box 360 Pro and replaced my old broken one. No matter, the 360 is kinda old anyways.

Oh, god damnit. I just baught my elite a week ago for $349. Uh.. Last year I got screwed buying my PS3. I got my 40 gig two weeks before the 80's droped price and the 40's got discontinued. Well, at least I got my Wii at the right time...

Originally Posted by Koulatio

Oh, god damnit. I just baught my elite a week ago for $349. Uh.. Last year I got screwed buying my PS3. I got my 40 gig two weeks before the 80's droped price and the 40's got discontinued. Well, at least I got my Wii at the right time...

Get a price adjustment.

What do mean?

Originally Posted by Koulatio

What do mean?

Bring in your receipt and see if they will refund the difference.

Originally Posted by Mr. Wonderful

Bring in your receipt and see if they will refund the difference.

I might just try that. I could buy a game with the extra money : )