Xbox 360 n00b

If you only want to play games (rather than download music, movies, and loads of Arcade games) then I'd get an arcade wi the the XBOX Live Starter pack (headset, 3 month live subscription, and a 60GB harddrive) but if you want to do lots of other things like I said before, get an Elite. The Elite looks schmexy as well :P

Get the elite. I got the arcade, and I regret it.

thanks for the help. ive heard a lot of how 360s are ticking self destruction bombs, meaning sooner or later they are prone to breaking. are the new elites reliable? cdcase007

older 360s, refurbs are.

*supposedly* Elites are the ones put through intensive stress tests, and then get their 120 and Black Case, but I think it's all the same now.

Jasper chip set is more reliable, SquareTrade reports it as a 2% first year failure rate, you get a warranty anyhow, so if it breaks, it's going to get fixed.

Install games to harddrive is the best feature, reduces heat, reduces failures etc. Also, if you're technologically savy, have some SATA cables in your PC, you can always format a 20 gb HD into a 120/250 gb for Xbox 360. Or buy a Western Digital Scorpio and make your own.

hope I helped and my list of facts didn't bother you:shock:

and for games:

Left4Dead2, ODST- has the multiplayer H3 disk if you like the Halo. MW2 OR just buy the MW2 bundle, saves you money in the end.

L4D2 is the best of all those games:)

Get the elite. No contest.

Elite without a doubt. An arcade is for non hardcore, or people who already have harddrives.

For games get, Halo ODST, Gears 2, Mass Effect. My top reccomendations

And if you can get wired connection. Wireless is dumb on 360. The adapter is $50 at cheapest. Should have built it in.

But yeah wired saves you quite a bit of money, and it runs better.