My thoughts on the Xbox 360 S (you know, the new ones).

So, if you didn't know, my old Xbox broke a couple months ago. That was actually my second Xbox, my first having Red Ringed a few years ago. However, that one didn't Red Ring (I think something went wrong with the graphics dealy in it, or something), and it was well out of warranty, so I was out of luck. Recently, however, Best Buy had a halfway decent deal, so I bought one, the 250GB without Kinect bundled in. Here are my thoughts. 
 
The first thing I noticed upon opening it was that Microsoft, being run by cheapskates (by which I really mean they are just trying to maximize profits, like any company), has stopped including HD cables with 360s. However, the one from my old 360 still works fine. And if something happens to that, I could just switch the HDMI cable I use for my PS3 between the two. But still, it was not a good first thought when opening a $300 item. 
 
I like the looks of the new 360, being black, shiny, and sleek. But the problem with shininess is that any dust on it at all makes it look bad, and I live in a dusty old house, so it was all dusty looking within minutes of opening it. But that's more a problem with the housekeeping here than it is a design flaw. However, there are some large air holes on "top" (I have it horizontally placed, because it's more stable that way), and I'm a bit worried about dust getting in there. I should remember to dust the thing regularly.  
 
The disc tray button has been replaced with some sort of touch sensor, so it's far more sensitive than my old 360s. When I was dusting it yesterday, the try accidentally opened (yeah, I was wiping it off whilst it was turned on), and it startled me. It also makes a noise, which is something I don't like. Consoles making noises without the use of the TV annoys me, because it makes stealth use of it harder. Unless there's a way to turn it off, which I doubt (I've tried in vain for years to see if I can turn off the PS3's beeping).  
 
The controller that came with it is black. I like that. Also, while it doesn't have one of those "transforming" d-pads I've read about, it does feel better than the ones on my older controllers, though I'm not sure if that's because it's better built, or if it's because of it not being worn out like my other ones. Either way, it's nice, and not terrible.  
 
The 250GB hard drive, while small my computer standards, is AMAZING to someone who had been using a 20GB one for years. I can finally have all my DLC, and have more than one game installed at a time, and I still have over 200 gigs left! It's great! I should go download some more stuff now. 
 
Like Game Room. The first new thing I downloaded (after re-downloading all my Mass Effect (1&2) DLC, Fallout 3 DLC, Borderlands DLC, and XBLA games) was Game Room. And I got five Achievements without even buying any games. And, oddly enough, that was enough to get a C Rank here on GB. I guess Jeff's coverage was effective at dissuading people from buying anything on it.  
 
Anyway, overall, I'm happy just to have a working 360 again. Now all those goals I set for myself that involve 360 games are obtainable again, so I am pleased! Plus, now I can buy Gears 3 and The Witcher 2 (pretty sure that was announced for 360) later this year when they release. Yay!