I love the glowing blue LED sticky grenade in the Chief’s hand. Nice touch.

That rapidly spinning external cooling fan looks like it would be a good weapon for dismembering enemies, but I don’t remember that part of the game. Maybe Bungie can include it in Halo 4.

Just don’t try and stand this console in vertical mode.

The portable Xbox 360 features a Halo 3 theme, and is based on the Elite’s internals. Under the hood, the laptop offers a 120GB hard drive, the new 65nm CPU, and a special direct DMI-to-DVI connection which keeps the video signal digital all the way to the laptop’s ample 17-inch LCD screen.

The laptop even features a built-in Xbox Live camera and Wi-Fi, so it’s totally ready for a serious round of Halo 3 or UNO.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Thanks, Ben. That was so much better than any dumb old Superbowl ad.

You can check out the full build log over on Ben’s Website.

As expected, the new console sports a 120GB hard drive and an HDMI port, but it also has what appears to be an updated motherboard, with a new CPU and GPU chipset revision. What’s not yet clear is if the new CPU is on the fabled 65nm platform, which would consume less power and generate less heat than prior models. One sign that the system could have a new, lower power CPU is the fact that there are several fewer capacitors on the new circuit board.

Other than that, there a new video chip for outputting the HDMI signals, and a couple of additional accessories in the box. The 360 Elite includes an HDMI cable, and a special audio breakout connector if you want to funnel your audio signals to a different place than where your HDMI cable is connected.

All in all, it seems like the 360 Elite is the way to go if you’re thinking about buying a new console, but if you already have a 360 Premium, and it’s working for you, there’s no rush to run out and upgrade.

[via Opposable Thumbs]

The new model is slated for release on April 29th, but at least one branch of Target (in Chico, California) has sold this one to a lucky buyer. The receipt shows a purchase price of 479.99, and it sure looks like the authentic box art.

That said, it could still be a quality Photoshop job, so you be the judge.

[UPDATE: Xbox 360 Fanboy has pointed out that this particular system is for sale over on eBay, starting at $600. Many more pics, including the serial number label are on display there.]

Pricing has been at $479.99 for the new model, and the release date is set for April 29, 2007 in North America. Other markets should get the updated console a little later in the year. To go with the new model, Microsoft will offer black versions of their wireless controller, headset and a charge-and-play cable. No other black accessories are planned at present.

At the same time, a 120GB hard drive upgrade for existing Xbox 360’s will be available $179.99 (rather expensive, if you ask me.) The standalone drive will include a transfer cable and software to copy your data from your old 20GB hard drive automatically.

A full gallery of images can be seen here.

[UPDATE 7/11/2007: This just in... For all of my European friends, The Xbox 360 Elite will be released in Europe on August 24, 2007. Pricing will be about the same as it is in the U.S., around £237/€350.]

Most rumors point to the 360 Elite including a 120GB hard drive, HDMI digital output and IPTV capabilities out of the box. Recent rumors also point to the smaller 65nm chipset which should produce cooler operating temperatures and lower production costs for Microsoft. Most in the know have pegged the release date to “sometime in April” and a retail price between $450 and $499. Only time will tell.