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Microsoft today announced the Xbox 360 price cut that had been expected, but also announced a new 60-gigabyte model to hit supplies in August.

The mid-line Xbox 360 Pro, with a 20-gigabyte incessantly oblige, can now exist had for $300 in the U.S. and Canada — “while supplies last” — down from $350.

In its locality, Microsoft will exchange a 60-gig Xbox 360 beginning in early August for $350.

The company made no adjustment to the rest of its draw, including the Xbox 360 Arcade, with nay hard drive, for $280 and the Xbox 360 Elite, with a 120-gig hard drive, for $450.

To me, this awaken looks more equal an assail adhering Sony’s PlayStation 3 than on the Nintendo Wii, which has been by far the best-selling console in novel months. By introducing a $350 console with a 60-gig hard drive, Microsoft now has a model that is less expensive (by $50) than the cheapest PlayStation 3, but also has more memory for downloading games and video. The 40-gig PlayStation 3 is $400. Sony’s 80-gig model is $500.

The PS3 still holds the edge while it comes to playing high-definition DVDs. The new 60-gig Xbox 360 does not have a high-definition DVD player on board. Instead, Microsoft is touting the console’s ability to play DVDs in “near high-definition using the upscaling capabilities of Xbox 360.” The high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) cable is sold separately.

It’s not unencumbered that high-def DVD playback is a big issue for hardcore gamers. But since the high-def format Microsoft was backing, HD-DVD, lost the next-generation format arbitrament of the sword, Microsoft has not made any moves toward Blu-ray.

Perhaps Microsoft will fire a saving nearly Nintendo at its squeeze out conference in Los Angeles tomorrow morning. Don Mattrick, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, is scheduled to take the stage for example part of the event, which begins at 10:30 a.m.

Check back in the present state for live coverage this week from the E3 Media and Business Summit.

Original text: http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.com/techtracks/2008/07/e3_microsoft_cuts_price_on_20gig_xbox_360_introduc.html