Getting one this side of Xmas?

[IanE]

It's crazy how well this is working for Microsoft - my mate came in, talked about how it's all going down the ****ter, but then I highlight that 5 people within the last 10 minutes had asked if I had one that I thought were non-gamers, and one is desperate for one, yet when I asked him if he wanted one of my spare pre-orders a few weeks ago, he couldn't have cared less.

This is generating some serious hype for the Xbox 360, deservedly so.

[sj33]

I'm not convinced MS is doing it on purpose mind. Allocating so few to the UK and so many to mainland Europe probably really was a bit of a balls up on their part. It also wouldn't suprise me if there was a genuine shortage as opposed to it being fabricated - manufacture started in September, and this is a near-worldwide launch, it makes sense. It's in MS's best interest to get as many of them into peoples homes as they can before the PS3 turns up, so I reckon MS is hating this almost as much as some of us do.

That said, this could go either way... it's clearly generating hype, even my gran knew about some new XBox thing that was 'really rare', and I've never seen people camp out in the Asda I work at for a console release before.
If the shortage drags on too long though, people will get bored, or people will buy a PSP instead. And that would be a crying shame, because this console is doing so much cool stuff already, and that's not even talking about the games.

[IanE]

People won't just buy a PSP instead, the mark has been made, the 360 is the new thing to have - people will get it too, slowly but surely.

As more games are released, if they actually market the bastard thing like they seem to be doing (and well I must say too!), then I can't see how they won't succeed.

I've had people say they're getting the PS3 or waiting for it, but when you say "end of next year at the very earliest" for over here, they soon change their minds, even more so when you say 2007.

[giogi]

I have definitely crossed the 360 off my list, for now.

Just purchased a wireless network adapter and 12 month sub to Xbox Live, never bothered before, but a couple of friends have joined up too so it seemed worth it.

Microsoft are certainly playing the hype machine well, but it could backfire on them come next summer. If the PS3 or the Rev could be available for next Xmas (in decent quantities) then the 360 will look dated to joe public and the 360 could be stuck in the hardcore market - something I am sure MS do not want.

I see the Rev as having the most potential to drive mass numbers, as the DS has proven the ease of use ,anyone (even my mum) can use a remote control. It could also be that Nintendo have built up a new user base over the past couple of years and now capitalise on it with a cheap console at xmas that the whole family would play.

[anephric]

People on other forums have been picking Premiums up off German eBay for about ?350, so if you're desperate...

[HaHaUK]

People on other forums have been picking Premiums up off German eBay for about ?350, so if you're desperate...

Do Germany even use the same plug type as us? Would you need a stepdown or something?

[asnozz]

just a different plug i believe... simply rewire the plug

[wod]

use a travel plug adapter

[Edame]

German plugs are 2-pin but all you really need is a travel converter rather than a stepdown.

[HaHaUK]

Thats pretty good, might have to get one from Deustchland

[marcus]

Do they send them to the UK?

[HaHaUK]

Do they send them to the UK?

Yeah some sellers send to the whole of EU and charge only 25euro postage!
Although speaking to someone over at rllmuk told me that shipping from Italy will cost a whopping 70euros!

[marcus]

Disadvantages of this do you think?

Manuals, box etc in german?
Power cable

Other than that is there any reason not to buy a German one?

[HaHaUK]

Disadvantages of this do you think?

Manuals, box etc in german?
Power cable

Other than that is there any reason not to buy a German one?

Box should be in German, although I think the manual etc will have an English section, as with most PAL games, and nearly all PAL consoles.

And like others said before, easy to convert power cable using a travel adapter.

[marcus]

Its tempting, so long as the games work, Ive not had a non-UK PAL console before but presume its identical to ours. Most bids are around the 350 mark not including shipping, which is a lot less than other Ebayers are charging on the UK site.