The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a prerelease product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it.But, aside from the necessary ass-covering, this looks like it's pretty solid as the final product.
Now, for me, it seemed like Microsoft was much more concerned with updating their marketing strategy than their hardware - although the hardware is a significant step forward, the games and products that they've showed at E3 simply weren't "next-gen" enough to really blow the lid off, so to speak.
However, M$ is really pushing the marketing, including features in XBOX Live! that allow you to do such wonderful things as "design your own t-shirts that other people will be able to buy - from Microsoft> Way to make money off of other people's effort, M$. Somehow I don't see that being very popular. I also suspect that their much-ballyhooed "Gamer Card" idea, which lets other gamers online see how good (or BAD) you are at games, will be DOA. No-one wants to admit that they suck. Ever.
Now, like I said, the hardware is pretty nice, but from the stuff that we saw at E3, it seems like Sony is much more aware of the capabilities of their system. XBOX 360's hardware seems to be about on a par with PS3, but the launch games, at this point, just plain aren't as much of a "WOW!" experience as those chosen by Sony. For me, this one will stay on the shelf.
