Microsoft has revealed its new console, the Xbox 360. As can be seen from the picture opposite, the console is smaller, curvy and more stylish than the console before it, with the addition of being able to stand vertically or horizontally.

When we first saw its face in a Italian ad, more than one Engadget editor called its bluff: "The top half doesn't line up with the bottom," some said, "that's got to be Photoshopped.

Whisper quiet; Energy efficient; Integrated 802.11n WiFi

Generates more heat; Still uses proprietary HDD system; No hi-def playback out of the box

Microsoft Xbox 360 is the successor of Xbox video game console and competes well with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii. It is great for playing games and comes integrated with Xbox Live service that allows players to compete online, download arcade games, game demos, trailers, TV shows, music...

The Xbox360 is by far the most enjoyable and most rewarding gaming machine I have come across. It uses minimal power, switches off automatically after 1 hour of inactivity and has heat sensitive buttons like an elevator. And what's more, it's from Microsoft!

A handy little piece of kit that's only really worth it is you abuse MSN on your 360

Despite its hardware issues, the Xbox 360 is the best of the current gen consoles when it comes to pure, hardcore gaming. It’s got the best online service and the best selection of games - and throws in some strong media skills to boot.

When the Xbox 360 was released in November 2005, owners of the previous console were delighted to see that the online element would not only be preserved, but it would also be vastly improved.

Allows for chatting and messaging easily over Xbox Live; Solid tactile buttons; Light-up display; Comes with headset

Chatpad attachment takes some getting used to on controller; Backspace button location oddly placed

we bought the xbox 360 to be a media extender for media center, the gaming part was just a bonus. after some deliberation, research and talking to friends with the different bundles we determined the 60gb bundle would more than satisfy our needs in the gaming dept.

Easy To Set Up; Excellent Gameplay; Great Graphics

Nothing New

a good console for the money you pay the fan sounds like it cost 10p and at is quite likely that it will get the red rings of death.

Its a cheap alternative to a ps3.

not as good as a ps3; graphics can't touch the ps3's

The Microsoft Xbox 360 Elite supports HDTV 1080i televisions, widescreen