2010 Xbox 360 4GB Slim

    When I first planned to get a next-generation game system I was focusing on the Playstation 3. I have and still play the Playstation 2 and I wanted to try their next-generation system. But, the price of the system made it somewhat out of reach. This made me consider the somewhat lower-priced Xbox 360.  

    When I first started researching the Xbox 360, I was discouraged by what I found. There were many reports on the web of how owners of this system had many problems. The biggest problem(something that concerned me the most) was the Red Ring of Death, which is something that causes the Xbox 360 consoles to stop working completely. Many owners of this console(according to the internet) have gone through up to four systems due to this problem. After reading this discouraging information I stopped researching the Xbox 360 and just figured that I would get a PS3 at some point in the future.

   Then, In 2010 I came across the new Xbox 360. The price and the appearance of the system were very appealing but, I thought it would be best to research this system again. The new information I found was encouraging. Owners who have bought this new console when it launched reported that the system was quieter and less likely to get the Red Ring of Death. After doing additional research I found that this system has a feature that will cause it to shut down before it overheats. I have found that this would prevent the RROD problem completely. Since the RROD problem was my major concern, this new shutdown feature made me reconsider the Xbox 360.

   After some thinking, I decided to get the Xbox 360. The automatic shutoff feature, price, visual appearance, and game selection caught my attention. I purchased the Xbox 360 4GB system.


Inside the Box

    After ordering and receiving the system, I started to open the box. Inside the box with my Xbox 360, 4GB slim was a composite av cable, power supply, power cord, wireless controller with two AA batteries, and an instruction manual. I also noticed that the system itself had two cooling vents. After fully unpacking these items I started to set up my console.


Available Ports

    As I was setting up my console, I noticed that it had a total of ten ports. There were eight in the back and two in the front. The ports in the back included three USB ports, one ethernet port, one HDMI port, one auxiliary port, and an S/PDIF(digital audio) port. In the front were two USB ports. I also found a hard drive bay cover for future hard drive upgrades.


My experience with the Xbox 360 4GB Slim

    Before I turned on my system, I made one final adjustment. I replaced the composite av cable with an HDMI cable that I ordered with the console. Once I connected the cable I begin to test my new console. To test the system I used a game that I had purchased the same day I received the game system.

    With the game in the console, I hit the power button on the console and controller. The game and the console seemed to operate without a problem.

    I have found that the processor is quick and responsive. The game didn’t take long to load and the game saves were quick.

    After using the PS2 controller for years I thought that I would hate the controller that came with this system. But, after testing it I’ve found that I really liked this controller. I like the placement of the buttons and controls, the responsiveness, and the way that this controller looks visually. One extra advantage that I have found with this controller is that it doesn’t have to be directly in front of the console to work. I have placed my console to the right of my TV stand(quite a distance away) and it still works.

    Throughout my game play, I noticed that the system was getting warm, but never hot. I play an hour and thirty minutes(sometimes twice a day) and I haven’t had a problem with this system. There has been no sign of the RROD and I haven’t activated the shutoff system. The new Xbox 360 operates well. I am satisfied with this purchase.

    The system has built-in wifi but, I haven’t tested the console’s internet capabilities (such as Xbox Live, etc.) yet. For the moment I’m using the game system strictly for games.

Reliability

    As I have mentioned earlier, I haven’t had a problem with this console. It works perfectly, has excellent graphics, and a fast processor. The only problem I have is with the controller. Although it has many advantages( looks good visually, has a good button and control layout, and is very responsive) it has one problem. It occasionally shuts off. It’s not too big a problem but it can be slightly annoying. Although It takes only a few seconds to turn the controller back on, I may consider a wired version of this controller. Despite the minor controller issue, I am still satisfied and impressed with this system. I have had the game console for about two months now and I haven’t(except for the minor controller issue) had a problem. As I have mentioned earlier, I have played an hour and thirty minutes(sometimes twice) a day( at the most) and haven’t had any overheating issues.

    So far, this new Xbox 360 seems reliable. It’s visually appealing, affordable, has a good selection of appealing games, and excellent graphics. If you’re interested in an affordable next-generation game system, the Xbox 360 is worth checking out.

(Note: Below is the status of my Xbox 360 4GB slim that I started using on 9/10/2010. If I have a problem with the console, I’ll update it.)

Xbox 4GB Slim status: Good
 


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Best low cost studio headphones

   After a year or so of playing guitar, I decided to get a multi-effects pedal. I had a lot of fun trying out the pedal but, I realized that it would be a real benefit to get a good set of headphones.

    I was using a set of headphones that had been used with an old radio/cassette player. The sound quality of the headphones was poor and I was starting to lose sound on the right side of them.

    I decided that I needed something a little more serious for my multi-effects pedal than the average headphones. I was impressed with the studio style headphones I had seen in my search but I found a majority of them too expensive. But, since I liked the design of the studio-style headphones and the quality of sound that is promised with them, I continued searching.

    I eventually found a pair of studio headphones that had the features and price I wanted. I found and purchased the Sony MDR-V150 Studio Monitor headphones.

    The Sony MDR-V150 Studio Monitor headphones come in all black with a cord that is over 6ft long. It has a 1/8 plug that will connect to any standard electronics such as a CD or MP3 player. It also has a 1/4 adapter included, that can be used to connect to home stereos, etc. I am currently using these headphones with my multi-effects pedal(using the 1/4 adapter) that I use while playing guitar.

    The sound from these headphones is very impressive. When I first received the headphones, I connected them to my PC. I tested them by listening to a few songs stored on my hard drive. I was very surprised. The sound coming from these headphones was similar to the sound generated from a home stereo system. Out of all the headphones I have owned, I have never heard anything of this quality. The sound was clear, it seemed like I could hear parts of a song that I didn’t hear with the other headphones I owned. It had surprisingly deep bass. The sound was similar to full-size home stereo speakers. The sound from these headphones wasn’t bland or flat. They produced a clear full sound with deep bass. I have had these headphones for a few years now and would recommend them to anyone searching for a set of studio headphones that are affordable, comfortable, and offer high-quality sound.