randomwiz

Contributor
CRank: 6Score: 30820

How Microsoft rips you off

Ok, i'm making this because I'm so mad. I'm ran out of space on my 20gb(Only games, all my media is on my ps3). Now I have to replace it. I get so mad at the price of microsoft's accessories. For me, ethernet is not an option, I have to use wifi, so I had to churn out another $100, and now I have to spend crazy amounts of money to buy an HDD.

1. The 360 Hard Drive.
Oh how Microsoft rips you off here. You know to buy a 250gb hard drive for the ps3 is extremely cheap. I got mine for $70. But Microsoft makes you pay $150 for a 120gb hard drive.

I wondered why the 360 HDD was so expensive. I did some search online, and what I found astonished me. Inside the guts of the xbox 360 hard drive was a 2.5in laptop hard drive, which I can replace with my own. Except, I couldn't replace it with any 2.5'' hard drive because that hard drive actually had some important OS files. And for some stupid reason, the 360 only recognizes 120gb, 60gb and 20gb hard drives.

So all this time, Microsoft is using a regular laptop hard drive and they are charging so much just for it.

2. Wi-Fi Adapter
This has been one of my biggest complaints since day 1. The Wi-fi adapter costs so much, and it doesn't include wireless n for that price. How much does it really cost to add wifi. This is one of Microsoft's devious tricks to make you think its more expensive than it actually costs. You can get a wireless N usb adapter for a pc for anywhere from $39.99 and up.

3. Rechargeable Battery
Ok, this one is not as bad, but its still pretty expensive for rechargeable batteries. I don't think it costs $15 to put 2 rechargeable AA batteries in a case.

In conclusion, Microsoft overcharges greatly for their accessories. Like the rebel soul I have within myself, I found a workaround for all of these problems and saved myself so much money.

Lets look at how much I saved.
------------------------------------------
HDD - Saved $90
I bought a 2.5in SATA 120gb hard drive. I did some stuff and formatted it with some simple tools I found online. And I was ready to go.

WiFi - Saved $60 , but what a hassale.
This is what I did.

Rechargeable Battery pack - Saved $15 per controller
I just put some rechargeable batteries in there. Yes its kind of a hassale to take them out and charge them, but it works

Total Savings that didn't go to Microsoft - $165



Cajun Chicken6081d ago

Yeah, I hardly have 4gb left on my 20gb 360 and they make it hard to transfer your games.

hoo_mook6080d ago

no dispute about 360 hdd price gouging.

don't go wifi. you already know the issues associated with wireless gaming so i won't list them. best options in order are:

1. hard wire
2. powerline - http://www.amazon.com/gp/se...
3. wireless

and yeah rechargeable batts are not really an issue. my nyko batts can sit on a charger with the 360 off and last longer than my 6axis.

Anon19746080d ago

I moved into a new house and had to buy a Wi-Fi adapter for my 360, which is still an unbelievable $100. Now with the Pro console I bought at launch, 2 controllers, extended warranty from MS (which thankfully saved me from a disk gouging unit they sent me that I would have had to pay for), charge and play kits, more batteries when they stopped charging and 2 years of XBL I'm over $900.

They also charged me an extra $340 in repairs for RROD, which eventually, and after a long fight, they refunded back to me.

My PS3, which has been running great, cost me $500 at launch plus $50 for an extra controller. That's it.

a_squirrel6066d ago

Good to hear a sucess story :)

And ouch, 2 disagrees to above?

Some people don't like it when someone makes a point, aka. fanboy

thor6080d ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

In the 360's case, the 360 is the razor, and Live, Xbox 360 games and peripherals form the blades.

It's a simple business tactic. Many people will feel cheated once they realise how much they've actually spent, and Microsoft will be laughing because they've got $900 from someone who intended to spend $300 on a console. By breaking down the cost into small chunks it appears manageable to anyone. "Only $299! Only $50 a year! Only $100 for wi-fi! Only $15 for controller batteries!" Most people won't add it up in their head.

Gue16080d ago (Edited 6080d ago )

Weak

Those that still don't understand this simple fact to this date and age will never understand at all. You need to make a blog with more facts than the obvious 3 things you have there...

potenquatro6080d ago (Edited 6080d ago )

The HDD and WIFI are really the rip-offs. But you don't NEED the MS WIFI unit. The rest is non issue for me. The HDD being so expensive really gets to me. They can sell a gig for a buck and still make money. Yet they totally rips(arbitrages lol) you off on this. Live HAS to go down. It's gotta be $20 a year.

EDIT: If you don't mind having wired controller, get it for 360. The D-pad is really good, better rumble and it's non issue for fighting games. It's like the perfect controller....only wired :(

Every company rips you off, we have to call them on it.

randomwiz6080d ago

for me, ethernet is not an option, its hard to describe, but because of my set up, I would need a 100ft cable running through my home down the stairs.

hoo_mook6080d ago

you definitely dont need MS official add on.

randomwiz - did you see my recommendation for powerline ethernet?

randomwiz6080d ago

yeah i saw that, but I already have my own solution

60°

Capcom Says Pragmata Sold 1 Million Copies in 2 Days

Pragmata has sold 1 million copies in two days, Capcom has announced.

asad1974h ago

Capcom is the best developer of all time. Consistent hit over many years .

DivineHand1254h ago

I didn't know it came out last Friday, or I would have bought the game. I will try again for this upcoming weekend.

CrimsonWing694h ago

Im really digging it. It reminds me of games from the PS2 era, not visually or how it plays, but like the spirit of it. If you were around for that golden age of gaming, you’ll get what I mean when you play this.

LucasRuinedChildhood3h ago

Have you tried Kanitsu-Gami: Path Of The Goddess (also Capcom)? That feels like a PS2-era Capcom game.

The_Hooligan3h ago

Agreed! The art style is amazing in that game. I bought it immediately after I played the demo but haven't started it lol

robtion11m ago

I know what you mean. I think it really feels like Vanquish, with some Dead Space and Binary Domain thrown in. So maybe more PS3 era but yes it is great.

isarai_lee4h ago

The next thing I'm mine when I've had my fill of crimson desert. A nice linear action game to contrast the open ended 😗👌

jznrpg3h ago

CD is so big I’ll play it all year and squeeze shorter games inbetween

jznrpg3h ago

I preordered it long ago. Going to start it later this evening

Show all comments (13)
50°

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Is The Second Title To Win Game Of The Year At All Major Awards Shows

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has now become the second title to win Game of the Year at all five major awards shows.

Read Full Story >>
twistedvoxel.com
INMATEofARKHAM5h ago

solideagle, maybe the article is wrong but it mentions BG3 as the other.

CrimsonWing694h ago

It’s good, but I’m getting tired of seeing how overrated it’s getting.

andy852h ago

It just wasn't for you in that way i guess. Can't really argue with it when it wins all the awards and it's the highest rating by players of all time

1nsomniac2h ago(Edited 2h ago)

I thought this game was a load of rubbish. Trying too hard to be art(sy) by people who don’t really understand art but want to make it look like they do. Found it obvious and shallow and just not a fun game. Just seemed like every relentless second they were clutching at trying to feed this superior narrative… the irony being that’s kind of what I’m doing now… maybe that’s art imitating art….

dveio1h ago(Edited 1h ago)

Didn't know the Golden Joystick fan votum was considered one of the "major awards"?

I always thought it's "only" the Big Four - VGA, Bafta, GDC and DICE.

Nonetheless, congrats to Clair Obscur!

40°

Ex-Naughty Dog Dev: Big Studios Are 'Forced' to Hire Like Factories

Former Naughty Dog artist Gabriel Betancourt explains why the "sweet spot" for game teams is under 200 people and how AAA "factories" kill creativity.

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powerupgaming.co.uk