Xbox 360 - Harddrive version essential??

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I wanna get a 360, just for playing games and maybe the odd dvd. Is it essential I get the one with a hardrive or can I make do with one without and just get a memory card??

[WoWo]

A memory card will be fine.

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what is the 20gb harddrive use for? and what does "Component HD AV cable (with scart adaptor), compatible with both HD and standard TV's" mean? as this is what you get on the full system

Sorry have been an avid PS1, PS2 and PSP user for many years. Now thinking of going microsoft, thus the stupid questions.

Help would be greately appreciated

[The Mack]

you need it to play the old x-brick games

[tracy6697]

The hard drive is used for many things:

Allows you to play original Xbox games (not all are compatible yet)

Allows you access to Xbox Live (with a broadband connection)- From here you can download demos (some playable, some videos) for free, download Xbox Live arcade games (retro classics & some orignal games, prices vary), download extras for games (extra levels, weapons etc) and of course play online with other people (there is a small yearly subscription charge for this feature)

You can also copy music onto it (and pictures from a digital camera). You can then have your own music playing while playing games instead of the games normal music. And also it's also a huge memory card!

As for the cable - this is to connect your 360 to a HD TV and get a high definition picture, or use the adaptor for use on a standard TV. If you have a standard TV though I highly recommend buying an RGB scart lead for the sharpest picture (the one supplied isn't RGB)

I think I've covered everything ;o)

[Mattk]

lol @ mack the pc fanboy

[Dreddnaught]

The Hard drive doesn't solely allow you access to Xbox Live, you can access it fine with just a memory card to save your online settings and gamertag information. It's when you're looking to download anything online that you need the hard drive.

[Phantaxus]

a few games require the hard drive

one on them was football manager 2006(i think)

other games run better with the hard drive. Oblivion uses the hard drive to cache data, but it should work with just a memory card.

You can buy a core system and buy all the other bits at a later date - but it will probably cost you more than the premium that way. If you go this route you will be left with a white dvd bezel but thats just cosmetic

[The Mack]

Glad i i made you laugh Matt the beefy briefcase does the same for me (Crashing, wrecking your disks......) fanboy is not quite right but i do prefer them. i also own a ps2 for the Namco/ konami /sega arcade conversions which will be updated when i find out which of the new consoles they favour