Xbox 360 Review

From the outside the Xbox 360 is lot better looking than its predecessor - admittedly not a massive achievement - and will fit nicely at home under your TV. This is handy as connectivity is a key feature and you'll want the device close to hand. Connecting an iPod or camera is simple, and watching slideshows or listening to music is easily done.

But the real focus for 360 is online. The Live gaming service, an optional extra on the original Xbox, is integral to the 360. All owners get access to a basic online service, allowing messaging and other non-gaming functions. If you want to actually compete against other players online then you'll have to pay for the privilege.

The whole online system is much more streamlined and easy to use, with the introduction of an Ebay style rating system helping filter out those who clearly need to be while upping the chance that you'll meet likeminded players. And then there is the marketplace feature, which offers the opportunity to purchase game demos, trailers and themes as well as a selection of retro arcade titles.

Microsoft are hyping as an opportunity for amateur developers to showcase their goods to a worldwide audience, but at the moment this will only appeal to those who buy into Microsoft's points currency system

Underpinning the 360 is the new dashboard. This hub area, accessible from any game or movie at the touch of a button, is intuitively simple to use. It allows you to browse your media, go online, answer friend requests and choose your game. Connecting your iPod or camera is to create a slideshow on the TV is a simple way to show the benefits of the 360 to any recalcitrant partner. While the DVD playback - certainly good enough for most - negates the need for a separate player.

Much of the hype surrounding the machine concerns "hi-def". These higher resolution TV's will become more common in the next few years with Sky, Telewest and others broadcasting HD content in the near future. At the moment though, HD TVs are relatively rare in the UK. This makes evaluating the games a little harder, although the graphics still shine on normal standard definition TVs.

The 360 is ok to look at - it still looks too much like a PC - but there are some issues. The power supply is huge while the internal fan is loud enough to be more than an distraction. It also gets hot quite quickly. The controller too is still a bit clunky and not as comfortable as the PlayStation joypad.