Xbox 2: No Hard Drive

Bond · 03-07-2004, 05:42 PM

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March 05, 2004 - In an interview with Globes Online, M-System's CEO, Dov Moran, confirmed that the successor to the Xbox will not include a hard drive. Here's the quote from the article:

"Microsoft has taken the hard disk out of its Xbox. The only thing left will be a CD; that's all. At some point, when users want to save their e-mail messages, copy music, or anything like that, the only storage they'll have is what we give them."

While Microsoft is mum on the subject, M-Systems was recently announced as the official supplier for the Xbox 2's flash memory units (memory cards). We don't know much about them, but they are said to be considerably bigger in size than current ones.

The lack of a hard drive implies several things. First, that either the new memory cards will be really, really big, or that Microsoft intends to expand on its server-side storage feature implemented in Xbox Live 3.0. Secondly, the lack of a hard drive means that we could see an end to custom soundtracks in games, as well as some of the other multimedia features showcased in Xbox Music Mixer and the like. Thirdly, expect the Xbox 2 to be significantly smaller than the current iteration.

With online play finally hitting its stride, it'll be interesting to see how Microsoft deals with downloadable content, patches, etc.

Could Microsoft release a hard drive add-on like Sony is doing with the PS2? It's entirely possible, but will users want to shell out another bill for the added functionality? Will certain games require its use? It's too early to answer any of these questions. Hopefully Microsoft will make some sort of announcement regarding the matter at this year's Game Developer's Conference or E3. Until then, savor every block of your Xbox's hard drive.

Source: IGN

It should be interesting to see what Microsoft does without a hard drive.

Null · 03-07-2004, 06:21 PM

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Originally Posted by Bond

It should be interesting to see what Microsoft does without a hard drive.

heard about this couple months ago. interesting to see it confirmed now.
could hurt them tho cuz they built up how a hard drive is such a great thing. and then users will see it in the PS3 and not Xbox2.

Most likely they have found a differnt form of memory at a very good price.

Hero2 · 03-07-2004, 06:31 PM

NOOOOOOOOOOOoooo...... it cant be true. that ****en sux. ohh well looks like ps3 will be God for next gen consoles. unless nintendo pulls something big off and while that possiable Im not holding my breath. ohh well I still have my computer.

Happydude · 03-07-2004, 06:33 PM

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Originally Posted by Null

Most likely they have found a differnt form of memory at a very good price.

they better have.

TheGame · 03-08-2004, 01:21 PM

Yuck, bad idea... but hopfully they follow through with another big memory format unlike Nintendo's SD card tease. I for one would much rather have a big card than some type of online online memory space.

Jonbo298 · 03-08-2004, 01:43 PM

Why can't MS use the HD's that laptop's use. Those are tiny as hell and can fit a good amount on it.

TheGame · 03-08-2004, 01:47 PM

T think the reason they don't want a HD is piracy issues... I still say make a HD with just too little space to save the average full game. Oh, and have it be 100% unreplaceable or upgradeable

bobcat · 03-08-2004, 03:56 PM

I remember making a post about piracy and how MS shouldn't have put a HDD in it's console and concentrated more on piracy policies.

Now they listen

Null · 03-08-2004, 04:39 PM

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Originally Posted by TheGame

T think the reason they don't want a HD is piracy issues... I still say make a HD with just too little space to save the average full game. Oh, and have it be 100% unreplaceable or upgradeable

too little space woudlnt work. What consoles need to build up to is the ability computers already have, which is mods for games. Be able to download them and play differnt modes. If consoles are ever going to keep up with online games and be able to play them online, actually have pc users and console users play together, is to be able to download the same things pc users do. so a small hard drive isnt the answer.
they can put other ways on there that would be a bit more effective.

problem is nothing is ever and will ever be totally piracy free

And Junbo, i dont think the actual size of the hard drive (size, not how much it holds) is the issue. thoes laptop hard drives cost more then normal hard drives. so that wouldnt really be good for em.

TheGame · 03-08-2004, 05:15 PM

Well, Null, I was thinking big enough for a game update, but not big enough to hold a full game (like Xbox does)... thinking somewhere in the range of 500MB to 2Gigs

Jonbo298 · 03-08-2004, 05:27 PM

A 20 gig laptop HD would be fine for next gen. If mods were used more for consoles, MS could make it so you can upgrade to say a 40 gig, etc...

Null · 03-08-2004, 06:22 PM

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Originally Posted by Jonbo298

A 20 gig laptop HD would be fine for next gen. If mods were used more for consoles, MS could make it so you can upgrade to say a 40 gig, etc...

why would a laptop HD make any difference tho? thats just a more expensive HD then a normal one, which would boost up the xbox 2 price, and have no advantage at all.

And game, that would prolly hold console updates of today. but trust me, once consoles get rolling into the online like they eventually will... wont be nearly enough. i've had game updates take up well over 500 mb in size

Jonbo298 · 03-08-2004, 06:44 PM

Im talking about using laptop HD's because they are alot smaller then standard PC HD's. Even though they cost a little more, thats why MS should've included like a 20 gig or something with the option to upgrade. Since after seeing that the original XB contains a standard PC hd that takes up half the size of the XB and how people hate the size, using a laptop HD would be a more sensible solution. Even though price is a big thing, MS doesn't give a damn about price it seems so they could've chosen to include say a 10 gig or 20 gig hd with option to upgrade.

Null · 03-08-2004, 07:30 PM

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Originally Posted by Jonbo298

Im talking about using laptop HD's because they are alot smaller then standard PC HD's. Even though they cost a little more, thats why MS should've included like a 20 gig or something with the option to upgrade. Since after seeing that the original XB contains a standard PC hd that takes up half the size of the XB and how people hate the size, using a laptop HD would be a more sensible solution. Even though price is a big thing, MS doesn't give a damn about price it seems so they could've chosen to include say a 10 gig or 20 gig hd with option to upgrade.

no. its costing them quite a bit more to do it like that. and a normal hard drive takes like a small percent of it. a quarter of it maybe, looking down upon it. the PS2 has a full size HD slot in it. and the GC could fit a hard drive in it. or maybe more like the GB addon for it would be about that size.

but no. its not a size issue. theres no need to make it that tiny right now and jack up the price.

TheGame · 03-09-2004, 01:00 PM

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Originally Posted by Null

And game, that would prolly hold console updates of today. but trust me, once consoles get rolling into the online like they eventually will... wont be nearly enough. i've had game updates take up well over 500 mb in size

lol... well, that just sucks then

The only way I see MS implementing some type of big memory is if it can prevent piracy... or at least make it harder than it is now.