Xbox 360 'Slim' coming?

VGChartz has posted an interesting and speculative report this week, implying that Microsoft may be creating an Xbox 360 "Slim," a redesign that will shrink the size of the original console and mark the first major complete redesign since the console's launch in 2005.

Microsoft is hiring a new motherboard engineer, one for the 360 development team, with the job ad going up last week.

CEO Steve Ballmer, known for letting speculative comments fly almost every time he speaks, started the rumor mill last week as well, saying new console models would be available in the future with different "form factors."

Here is the full job ad (and let the speculation begin):

Job Category: Hardware Engineering
Location: United States, CA, Mountain View
Job ID: 714897
Product: Xbox Home
Division: Entertainment & Devices Division

Motherboard Design Engineer
Job Description
The Xbox 360 Console development team is seeking qualified candidates for an Electrical Engineer. The responsibilities of this position are focused on specifying, designing (schematic capture, PCB layout, BOM, cost analysis), implementing and verifying the mother-board and other various sub-system boards that make up the XBOX 360 product line. This work includes development of requirements and evaluating different solution for functionality, cost, and risk. The subsystems on the XBOX 360 mother board include (but are not limited to): High speed busses (front side bus, memory bus, PCIe bus, SATA bus, USB bus, I2S, etc.), memory, Ethernet, audio/video, system clocking, power and thermal management, and misc. analog/digital circuitry.
The XBOX 360 Console Development team is responsible for aggressive cost reduction of the console throughout the life of the product as well as expanding the market for the console in derivative products. The position involves working closely with industrial designers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, software engineers, test engineers, component engineers, and program managers.

Qualifications:
Minimum BS/MS in Electrical Engineering
Minimum of 4 years experience contributing to the design and production of complex products in the consumer PC or consumer electronic industry.
A solid understanding of core engineering principles, fundamental circuit design, and analytical techniques is required.
Familiarity with PC, embedded system architectures hardware and software, experience with implementation of high speed serial busses (SATA, PCIe, USB) and/or high speed parallel busses such as: memory bus (DDR2, GDDR3, etc.), CPU front side bus, Hyper transport, and/or voltage regulator/power delivery design a plus.
Design for manufacturing and test experience is required.
Strong bench evaluation and in-lab debugging skills are required.
Strong communication skills required. Including the ability to clearly express technical concepts in verbal and written forms.
Must be able to plan work, and work to a plan adapting as necessary in a rapidly evolving environment.
The ability to comprehend and assimilate technical concepts across multiple disciplines is a plus.
Enthusiastic, motivated and self driven.
Domestic and international travel may be required.

Could the rumours be true?
I have no idea tbh but I can't be bothered getting a new 360, I would rather buy new games.

What do others think?



http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=7339

Would be interested if it came with at least 500gd of HD space, built in Wi-fi and wireless Hi-def

I may just hold off getting a 360 a while longer...this sounds interesting!

BOGUS.

(This would have been the shortest post I'd ever made here had I not decided to comment further than the above. More follows)

Unless it's cheaper for microsoft to slim down that beefy red-ring-plagued spews-out-enough-heat-to-rival-a-volcano console they currently manufacture then they just aint gonna do it. Now, having gone out on a limb and called bullshit, I don't doubt that I know just what we'll be hearing at E3 from Bill and his "little" company.

Don't know what system your talking about there Platy

My 360 Elite runs quite, kicks out less heat than any of the PS3's I've owned and if reports are to be belived is extremely unlikely to RROD.

As for Beefy it's smaller and lighter than the original PS3 and I'd guess not much heavier than the slim.

Plus seeing as they knock these newer better box's out at only 100quid, a slimmer version with cheaper and even more reliable workings makes sense.

Release it this Xmas with Natal bundled for 130 quid and they'll have the market to themselves, unless Ninty drop the price of Wii drastically. I don't see PS3 Move possing a threat either if the price of it is as high as it seems

As sexy as that image looks (despite not being the real image, not sure, didn't bother to read), I don't think it's a good idea to release a slim version.

Was a good idea for Sony, so why not Microsoft?

Pwiimus wrote:Was a good idea for Sony, so why not Microsoft?

Sony have always had the idea of making a slimmer verison of its current station. Microsoft to go off and make a Slim for the 360 and drop the price would make sense but who would buy one? I think Microsoft should keep working with Natal for now, and then unless they have already have gone to the drawing board for the new Xbox.... I can see Sony to have another price slash to £200-220 barrier by next year perhaps but most probably Christmas period time. Then again thats just pure speculation.

You telling me that a sub 150 quid 360 Slim plus Natal wouldn't seriously dent Wii sales this Xmas, Im pretty sure it would

Pwiimus wrote:You telling me that a sub 150 quid 360 Slim plus Natal wouldn't seriously dent Wii sales this Xmas, Im pretty sure it would

Nope If they did make a Slim then yes but the Elite will most definitely drop in price so there is no need and the RROD is less likely to happen on the Elites now.

Well I've already got my Elite so only Natal to get this Xmas for me anyway lol

Pwiimus wrote:Well I've already got my Elite so only Natal to get this Xmas for me anyway lol

Saves yourself some money then

Well after buying my 360, I hope we don't see this otherwise I might just cry a little. However I won't be too sad, because I don't think they'll be anything too beneficial, aside perhaps a 500GB console. If Natal is bundled with it then that might make it more appealing..

Darren wrote:Well after buying my 360, I hope we don't see this otherwise I might just cry a little.

And I shall be vindicated and Ian will owe me a PS3. Everybody wins.

Ian is buying you a PS3? SINCE WHEN? *Wants one*

Since he bet me I would be wrong about a slim 360. Isn't that right Ian.

That was a risky bet to make, it would make good sense for a slim to be released at E3. Owen, don't accept the PS3, he pays enough out as it is ¬_¬

This makes me glad I never actually bought my 360 and was just given it (My brother upgraded and gave me his old one, just had to buy a HDMI cable)

Still, I'd got for Pwiimus's deal of a Slim 360 and Natal anyday, sounds like a reet bargain.

PlatinumSamusUK wrote:Since he bet me I would be wrong about a slim 360. Isn't that right Ian.

Indeed!
I'm sure that Microsoft wont release a new 360 Slim <_<

Ghost wrote:

PlatinumSamusUK wrote:Since he bet me I would be wrong about a slim 360. Isn't that right Ian.

Indeed!
I'm sure that Microsoft wont release a new 360 Slim <_<

I think you're wrong Ian, I think it is a realistic idea..

Oh yes if this does happen. £150 for the Slim + £100 for MS Wave or Natal whatever they have decided to call it now.

Still no point in that sense. Great for a first time buyer but if you already got an Xbox. Throwing money away which could go towards something else in life.

If this comes this year, I will be daft enough to trade my current Elite for one

Spoiler:

I thought I heard that ... SPOILAHHH.

I'm 99% sure that's not true Matt. It's just a rumour at the moment.

If a fat man at CeX who works for Joystiq told me it, is HAS to be true O_O

That is all.