Please Leave a Comment On How I've Written Up This Guide
Anything is appreciated, be it a critiquing standpoint or a complaint.
Thanks, just trying to make this as easy and as smooth as I possibly can.
I'm sure some of ya'll already know all about this stuff, but I'm here to share the new little bits and details that some people might not have been filled in on. Everybody hates it when shit breaks, and this guide is what is supposed to help you avoid the consoles that are 'more prone' to break than others. So, if even if you did already know this stuff, go ahead and take another look, might be something your not up to date on.
If there are any questions about consoles, etc PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
Ok, to start us off here, this is your basic display at any retailer (all pictures are from Best Buy).
(This guide does pertain to all 360 consoles, including: Elites, Pros, and Arcades!)
Just stating this to clear up any confusion

As you may have noticed that there are a couple of Xbox 360 Elite boxes. Now, the blatantly visible difference is that one comes with games and the other does not. So, why put games in one and not the other?
Reason is, they came out with a new line of Xbox 360 consoles. They have different hardware as well as slightly different set ups. Basically, the reason why they 'promote' one with games, is because it has the old hardware.
So, next question, how do you make sure that the Xbox 360 Elites have the new hardware?
Answer being, the stickers on the side.
These stickers are mandatory, if the console that you are looking to buy does not have one of these stickers. DO NOT BUY IT
(Picture is of all three consoles and where the stickers are, all of them are in the same place on every console (regardless of model of the console).
Now, the next step... what truely indicates what hardware has been placed in the console?
Answer: There are three tags that they commonly use to indicate the hardware build and parts that they have placed within the console. (There may be one or two that I have not seen, tags may change due to country)
The tags are indicated with TEAM: (and then the following codes below) :::
FDOU :: Newest Hardware/Build (Found on both Elites as well as the Pros)
TMEM :: Second latest Hardware/Build (Found on both Elites as well as the Pros)
CSON :: Oldest Hardware/Build (usually found on the "Arcarde" Consoles but has been found on the Pro as well)
(Not sure on all the codes exact lettering, however I am positive that FDOU is the latest and greatest).
(Picture is of the Pro console sticker, this one happens to be the old hardware, and indefinitely what you want to avoid.).
^^ This is where the TEAM:: (Tag) is located [generally] on every consoles side). ^^
Last but not least, there is something else that you can figure out from simply the outside of the box. The power supplies have also been modified over time. Some consoles come with the 205watt power supply and others come with the 175watt power supply.
(Not all stickers have the power rating, and I'm also going to do some more research to see if there is a specific rating on the outside of the box that will allow you to figure out which power supply you are really getting).
Well, whats the difference? And why does it matter?
Essentially what your getting is more current with more watts. This does not turn out to be a good thing with the Xbox 360 consoles. Reason being, more current, more resistance, more heat. Your console will most likely run hotter than most others if it has the 205watt power supply opposed to the 175watt power supply.
(Power supplies may differ in different countries due to different original currents and conversions).
Well, thats all I got for now, if something does come up then I will be sure to add it in as soon as possible. Hope that everyone has benifited at least a little from reading some... or very little... of this guide. heh.
If there are any questions or comments please get in touch with me and I will explain further or add onto this current guide!
Another guide by yours truly, Arsonism.