6 Xbox 360 dead in less than 30 months, our first Xbox Elite dies |
Five months. That’s the average amount of time each Xbox 360 system has lasted before dying in our home. Yes, we use surge protection. No, we don’t beat up the hardware.
Now 2 of 6 our Xbox 360s have crapped out in the time since we’ve bought the PS3 and Wii.
The word ridiculous, maybe even astounding, comes to mind when describing how poorly the Xbox 360 hardware has performed for our family since April 15, 2006. I can think of only one other piece of gaming hardware — the Rock Band drum pedal — that has failed more than twice per year. We’re on drum set #3 since our first purchase November 2007, and I’m hoping Rock Band 2 drum kit which comes out soon will be more durable and have a longer lifespan.
At least two times per year our family is reminded of the lousy workmanship of the Xbox 360 hardware. Two times or more a year to say: “this sucks” or using today’s hot buzzword: FAIL.
You’ve probably guessed what the picture above means by now. Around dinner time last night we came home with Soul Calibur 4 and tried to fire up in my seldom used Xbox 360 Elite.
Three red rings. Nooooooooooooooooooooooo.
And here I was thinking the Elite would be different. This is a machine that had maybe an average of two plays per week over the course of 16 months. Still it holds the record in our home for the longest lasting Xbox 360, but that’s not anything to brag about. A discouraging 16 months before lighting up the three red middle finger salute. Thankfully we were smart enough to purchase the Best Buy warranty plan for 80 bones. We took it back and above you see me holding Xbox 360 #7 and Xbox Elite #2.
An now the history of our Xbox 360 carnage.
Xbox 360 systems that have died since April 15, 2006
#6: Saturday August 18, 2008. Three red rings of death. We used Best Buy replacement plan to swap out with brand new Xbox Elite.
#5: January 1, 2008 (Happy New Year, Microsoft!). Status: three red rings of death, unrepaired. Under warranty, Microsoft replaced within a month.
#4: Xbox 360 broken November 3, 2007. Status: broken disc tray, unrepaired. We replaced this system by buying a new Xbox 360 Arcade package (and yes, bought 2-year warranty).
#3: April 2007. Status: red rings of death, replaced three weeks later on April 23, 2007
#2: September 22, 2006. Status: red rings of death, replaced on October 20, 2006
#1: June 14, 2006. Our first Xbox 360 dies. Didn’t even make it two months.
Moral of Xbox 360 story: always, always, ALWAYS buy an extended warranty
I can’t recommend more strongly based on our own customer experience that not buying an extended warranty for an Xbox 360 is like having an orgy with a bunch of streetwalkers without wearing a condom.
The Xbox 360 still has the best live gaming experience out there, including the best selection of games to play online, and we will continue to replace the systems as they fail within warranty. But based on our experience to date, it’s reasonable to assume that out of warranty breakage heretofore could result in there being less Xbox 360 systems in play in our home. I love gaming and would replace dozens of game systems to play games that I enjoy, but having more than one of the same system constitutes a luxury and the Xbox 360 luxury tax has become very high.
Calculating an average of $300 per system and average Xbox 360 death rate of 5 months equals $60/month for the hardware cost only, not counting Xbox Live or the cost of buying games. Talk about an expensive hobby!
We still have 4 Xbox Live Gold accounts, although we’ve setup one of those to non-renew. Our oldest son doesn’t play Xbox enough to warrant having a Gold ($49.99/year) account. He’s 18 now, he can pay for it himself if he wants. If he looks at extending the life of his Xbox 360 he might be wise to play it only a couple times per year and maybe, maybe it will make it to his 21st birthday.
How long until Xbox 360 death #7 is recorded? Early 2009 if you play the averages, but wouldn’t bet against that happening by the end of the year. Double digits by 2010? Only the Xbox afterlife knows.
Did this post make you go hmm?
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So spend several hundred dollars on a system with known issues and then spend MORE on an extended warranty?
I realize that nothing in life has a guarantee, but haven’t you had a 100% rate of hardware failure?
To me, that is an unacceptable track record and regardless of the games on the system or how much entertainment I got out of it, I couldn’t stomach it.
You are much more forgiving consumer than I.
Comment by Wayne — August 17, 2008 @ 7:52 pm PST
We spent several hundred dollars for tickets to attend the three day PAX event at the end of this month. We’ve bought games for the NEO-GEO that cost several hundred dollars each, never mind the $600+ system cost. We’ve bought game systems at launch that weren’t successful (like the 3DO).
There are expenses in every hobby. Just happens that the Xbox 360 with hardware failure rate is among the most expensive game machines ever released.
I know it doesn’t make sense Wayne but this is the only entertainment area — and I’d do it with any great gaming system, no matter what company made it — where I’d keep buying something that is destined to fail before it should. Normal consumer behavior doesn’t apply to hardcore gamers.
It’s disappointing knowing we have bought other less expensive game systems that are 20+ years old that are still working while the Xbox 360 keeps dying but the choices are clear: either deal with the hardware issues or get out of the game. I don’t want to do the latter. So it’s wise to limit the expense by buying the extended warranty.
Sure it raises the overall cost of the machine, but only one of the 6 Xbox 360s we’ve replaced so far has resulted in purchasing a new system (see #4 in the history list in the post). That means we’ve gotten $1,500 (5 systems x $300) worth of systems for around $320 ($80 x 4 extended warranty purchases). As I indicated in the post, I’m going to be less likely to purchase replacements when the systems start dying out of warranty. I hope the future third generation Xbox lasts longer and is backwards compatible so I don’t need to pay to replace any systems out of warranty in order to play our existing library of games.
Comment by TDavid — August 18, 2008 @ 8:35 am PST
For me video gaming is my main hobby and source of entertainment also. I had my first system die after 10 months of use, then when it came back from repair it lasted almost a year before red ringing again, so I sent it in again for free repair and bought a new system and traded in the repaired one when it came back. My current system is coming up on a year now with no problems but if or when it does go, I’ll be out buying a new one the next day as the games on the 360 have been the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had since gaming way back on the Atari 2600.
Comment by Mark — August 18, 2008 @ 3:44 pm PST
I hear ya, Mark. I don’t like thinking about a system breaking and luckily one hasn’t failed in the middle of setting a new personal high score. I think that’s the one time I’d be really pissed about it. As it is, these Xbox 360 RROD failures seem to happen during power-on, not during gaming action. Annoying, yes, but when it’s under warranty, tolerable risk.
Comment by TDavid — August 18, 2008 @ 6:10 pm PST
[…] the console, even if the console hardware has the worst ever failure rates (we’re on our 6th Xbox 360 console in less than 30 months). If you make a killer game and it can only be found on ___ console, they will buy the console for […]
Pingback by Xbox 360 sales best PS3 for first time in Japan » VTOR - Virtual TO Reality — August 19, 2008 @ 1:17 am PST
Man this sux! I want to buy a 360 but I always hesitate that it will FAIL on me after long hours of gaming. I am a big fan of role playing games especially Lost Oddyssey[360]*drool* and I am still waiting for Final Fantasy XIII[PS3/360] for two+ years!!!!!!….*sigh*Square Enix You FUCKING bastard!!! hmmm….Maybe I can buy Xbox 360 Elite and get it modded:)…no-that’s ridiculous…Okay that it, i decide to buy Final Fantasy XI[PS2] to play it on my PS3 since I like mmorpg so much.
Comment by Dopeheadz — August 25, 2008 @ 9:42 am PST
I bought the first 360 in April or May of 2007. Had it for two months, maybe three before the freezing screen failure occured. Sent it back in and got a new in two weeks maybe (not a bad turn around time). Then it was fine for about 13 months until last night i was playing online and heard a weird noise and it froze. I tried it again today, worked for about 10 minutes, then froze again. Called Microsoft and they told me i’m out of warranty and will need to spend $100 for the repair and another year of warranty… pissed doesnt even begin to articulate how mad i am at microsoft for producing products that fail so consistently. disappointed… but i’m already in well over $1,000 and dont want to make the switch to PS3 or Wii and spend more…
Comment by Greg — August 26, 2008 @ 6:59 pm PST
I run a computer repair company in Atlanta Georgia, and I get about 3-5 calls per week for Xbox 360 repairs. Pretty ridiculous really. I’ve had my own 360 for about 3 years, and only had the red rings once, fixed it myself in about 20 minutes, hasn’t been a problem in about a year.
Comment by Fred — September 4, 2008 @ 8:06 am PST
This is a truly shocking reliability record and it surly affect Microsoft’s sale numbers as a result as these failures are wildly published. I thought the revised consoles would solve the problems but if your elite has gone already then maybe not. It’s OK having a warranty but it is the ‘downtime’ whilst the console is away for repair that’s the biggest problem for the dedicated gamer.
Comment by Mark Jones — September 10, 2008 @ 12:04 pm PST
I can’t believe you are on Xbox number 7. I’m glad that you have a warranty on the Xbox because I would be mad if I had to pay for 7 Xbox’s. You guys must play the Xbox like everyday. “I can’t recommend more strongly based on our own customer experience that not buying an extended warranty for an Xbox 360 is like having an orgy with a bunch of streetwalkers without wearing a condom.” That’s a very funny comparison.
Comment by Elizabeth — September 30, 2008 @ 2:55 pm PST
I’m on my second xbox 360, I’ve had to buy a cooling solution for the system just so I can play it! I thought this was just for pc systems but I found a mounting bracket that attaches to the back of your 360. Works for me but I hope you lads sort out your issues to!
Comment by Simon — October 29, 2008 @ 6:50 am PST
[…] train! Did you get an extended warranty with it? Xbox360s are known for being ticking bombs. 6 Xbox 360 dead in less than 30 months, our first Xbox Elite dies Make You Go Hmm […]
Pingback by I Just Got An XBOX360! - Page 4 - Emuforums.com — October 29, 2008 @ 12:31 pm PST
You can always try to fix it yourself, there are several video guides that tell you how to do it.
Comment by Jay — January 13, 2009 @ 5:24 am PST
tbh ive had my 360 for about a year and a half now and i haven’t had any problems
Comment by chris — February 19, 2009 @ 6:32 pm PST
Alright well it does seem you abuse your hardware or technology. I’ve had no problems with my xbox 360 and I have had mine for at least 2 years now and I bought it used without warranty and it works brand new!!! As well as I recall you on the other hand have probably abused the power of the Rockband Drum pedal as that is just as durable as the Rockband 2 drumpedal which I have both. The only way your going to break it is if you wail on it like a freaking crazy physco. I personally don’t believe your story at all I would prefer and Xbox 360 over anything. Has the best online play great selection of games. Not to mention the PS3 has lost some game titles to the Xbox 360. I also would like to point out that if you do abuse your console then yea its gonna be broke. Also if you move around your console while its on thats also another dumber move on your part which will scratch the disc drive and make your games un-playable. Don’t act like a drunken baboon when you play your 360. If your so damn worried that your not responsible enough to take care of something that valuable and that pricey you need to switch to another game system or stick to your computer!
Comment by Caleb — February 22, 2009 @ 7:13 pm PST
Chris, how the hell can you accuse people of abusing there 360’s. I work in the gaming industry and almost everyone i work with who has a 360 has had the RROD or E74 error (General hardware failure). Everyone knows how to keep the 360 in good nik, but still they have problems with it. I’ve just had an E74 error on my 360 Elite, it is in a well ventilated place, i make sure it doesn’t get dusty, its not over used and the only time it has been moved since out of the box was when i moved house. Maybe you should get your facts straight before accusing people of abusing their 360’s, its a poorly designed piece of hardware, that overheats causing the glue used on the motherboard to melt, causing the RROD or E47 error.
Comment by Dan — April 28, 2009 @ 12:37 pm PST
[…] to send it in. Microsoft has stopped sending boxes, but we have the packing slip ready. #6: Saturday August 18, 2008. Three red rings of death. We used Best Buy replacement plan to swap out with brand new Xbox Elite. […]
Pingback by 8 of our Xbox 360 have died since April 15, 2006 » Make You Go Hmm — June 17, 2009 @ 6:58 am PST