10 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy an Xbox 360

With the hype that has been created over the newest generation of gaming consoles, it's no surprise that even the small time gamers are wondering if they should take the plunge. Most stores were sold out even before its release (thanks to preorders) and the stores that weren't only had a handful for the day of its release. People actually started camping out the day before the release to make sure they got one, only to be disappointed that there were none left. This drove gamers to new level of desire and soon they started popping up on eBay; some for as much as a 1000 dollars. If you lay the hype aside and look at what's left you get my top ten reasons why you shouldn't buy an Xbox 360.
With the hype that has been created over the newest generation of gaming consoles, it's no surprise that even the small time gamers are wondering if they should take the plunge. Most stores were sold out even before its release (thanks to preorders) and the stores that weren't only had a handful for the day of its release. People actually started camping out the day before the release to make sure they got one, only to be disappointed that there were none left. This drove gamers to new level of desire and soon they started popping up on eBay; some for as much as a 1000 dollars. If you lay the hype aside and look at what's left you get my top ten reasons why you shouldn't buy an Xbox 360.

1. The cost. Why anyone would pay as much as 1000 dollars for a video game system is beyond me. Even if it's something you've got to have, wait a couple of months for the supply to increase and the demand to decrease and at least then you'll get a better price. Another consideration for this situation is the release of the new Nintendo and the new Playstation in the near future. These releases will obviously make the price of the Xbox 360 drop to a more reasonable amount.

2. The release of the new Nintendo and the new Playstation. Why buy a system when two other new ones are coming out and you could want one of those ones? You should always wait to see what system you want before spending the amount of money they want for an Xbox 360. Not to mention we all know the Playstation 3 is going to blow them both out of the water.

3. The system is designed to maximize HD qualities and if you don't have an HD television it's not much different than the previous Xbox. You can always hook it up to your computer monitor for better graphics (if it's not ancient), but then you have a much more limited viewing area and the inconvenience of being at your computer (or disconnecting your monitor to move it when you want to play).

4. Microsoft's prying eyes are everywhere. When you use the internet connection to do any of the thousands of useless things offered on the Xbox 360 live it tracks your stats, achievements, what you're playing, how long you're playing it, with whom you're playing, if you're buying or renting games, even what time you started playing it. I don't know about you but I think Microsoft collects too much information already, and the idea that they are tracking me like a lab rat gives me the willies.

5. The DVD player the Xbox 360 boasts doesn't really boast anything except mediocre-ness. You would expect from such an expensive system that's main bragging rights come from amazing graphics to have spent more time and money on the DVD player. It doesn't compare to the video game graphics; you're better off with your current model of DVD player.

6. The Xbox 360 overheats easily. The amount of heat the Xbox 360 output is astonishing. The fans are noisy and obviously can't handle the demand of the system. Overheating obviously leads to your Xbox dying and your going through the hassle of getting it fixed (hope you bought that warranty). You can try and avoid this problem (notice I said try) by making sure its open on all sides for ventilation and turning it off frequently, but good luck.

7. The game titles are very limited compared to other systems. Unless you like fighting, sports, or racing, there isn't much out there for you. There are especially few titles for children. I definitely wouldn't consider it a family friendly system (unless you family is compromised of nothing except men in their 20's)

8. In order to get all the features you have to spend more money on a hard drive or buy the more expensive version of the Xbox 360. Most people are confused with the multiple packages for sale and who wouldn't be? Who wants to spend 300 dollars on a system, another 100 dollars on games, and an unprecedented amount on accessories, to take it home and find out it stinks without the hard drive?

9. The power brick is larger than an Xbox game package and not that much smaller than the console itself. It is gigantic and weighs in at a hefty 6 pounds. Why should that matter you ask? Well for starters its bulky, requiring more room for your other wires. Secondly, that's 6 pounds plus gravity pulling on the back of your system (another reason for a glitch, though probably more long term). Thirdly, it gets incredibly hot as well and with it being so large it's going to touch all of your other cords and wires and heat them up as well.

10. Customer support is a joke. You would think with all the complaints of glitches and dying machines (especially with overheating) that Microsoft would put some warning labels on the box or in the manuals on how to avoid said problems. At the least they could offer some upgrades to the systems glitches but when all is said and done it is left to be written, blogged, and complained about with no real solution.

When everything is said and done Microsoft has an excellent idea with the Xbox 360; but it remains an idea. Until the glitches are fixed, the prices go down, and it becomes more family friendly, it remains a waste of money, brain cells, and blood pressure medication.

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