The “Break it Down” Blog

Engadget has the poop on the next version of the XBox 360 and it looks like it’s getting:

• 65nm, cooler CPU (no word on if it’s faster, my guess is not)
• HDMI Connection (1080p)
• 120GB Hard Drive

The code name for version 2 is “Zephyr” apparently. Also, no word on cost or if the 120GB HD is coming bundled, if the chip is cooler or if there is going to be an HD-DVD version.

My guesses, because the XBox 360 just started breaking even on production costs is:

• CPU is the same speed because developers and testers need to rely on consistency on the platform when developing and tweaking their software.
• No HD-DVD drive integrated, would boost costs too high and they would go from a little in the red, to probably getting screwed to the tune of almost $200 per XBox (At least for the next 6 months while HD-DVD device production is still sluggish)
• 120GB will be optional, again, would increase costs too much. I think they might start bundling a 60GB with version 2.0 to match parity with Sony, but I doubt out of the goodness of their hearts they will be bundling a 120GB drive.