Recenly, I've come to believe that Microsoft are really cheap, mainly because the company is owned by the second richest man in the world, and they almost do nothing to fix the easilly fixed problems. Like - RRoD - Could easilly be fixed by adding coolers/fans into the XBox, obviously Bill Gates doesn't want to use 1 of his 56 Billion Dollars Controllers - They break after about a month of use and they become un-responsive and sometimes the sticks and buttons get jammed. They can easilly be fixed. Headsets - They're really flimsy, and the foam cover comes off easilly. If a bit of dust gets into the part which the foam cover is covering, your mic is screwed and it makes a blowing noise constantly. Can easilly be fixed by putting the foam covers on permenantly. Another thing, they cannot be plugged into computers, they're not like the shape they are for stability, or whatever other reason, they're so you can't use them for other things than the XBox. Any other things people would like to mention that I have missed out, to prove Microsoft are cheap.
First, "Is Microsoft Cheap" Second, Bill Gates doesn't have much to do with the production of the Xbox. Third, yes, they could do more to improve. I, personally, have never had any problems with my Xbox or accessories. Some how, I doubt it's as easy as you make it sound to change some things. Though, they are Microsoft and it wouldn't surprise me if it was all because their cheap.
I've never had any problems with my controllers, in fact I've found the 360 to have the best contoller out of any console I've ever played. I've got four most of which over a year old and they still work fine. I've gone through 3 headsets, 2 wired, 1 wireless. THe wired were kind of my fault as I didnt take too good care of them. and the wireless one, just one day decided to stop working. I dont think Bill Gates is the one to blame for the problem.
I agree with all the problems about headset RRoD and Controllers .. My controllers are screwed since i got Benijing 08 and i have had 3 new mics .. Wireless one and 2 wired ones but now i have 1 wired and 1 wireless which is pretty good .. And the RRoD even though it has never happened to me .. I think it is a pain in the ass how popular it is ..
I don't think losing millions of dollars to extend the warranty for the 360 could be considered cheap. As far as your controller and headset complaint goes, I've been using the same controller and headset that came with my 360 at launch and I've never had a problem.
This is true, whilst I may not like MS in many ways, they can't be accused of doing nothing about the wave of RRoD attacks. There are also the developments regarding chip technology to think about (source) which should help improve running temperature. I think the controllers are by far the best out there, and the wired ones working so easily on PCs is a nice bonus (its true that this is only a bi product of MS's monopoly on multiple markets though). My headset is a cheap Logic 3 one, which is falling apart, but everyone I know who has an official one, save one, has had no trouble. I also think that the new ones have a single jack plug which could be compatible with a PC And finally, making this another anti Bill Gates rant is kind beside the point, since he is no longer CEO, does not work there properly anymore, and is only still in a role as a non-executive chairman. The fact that his time now goes into his charity foundation, along with much of his money, is another reason why he isn't the bad guy here.
I just read yesterday in an article that Microsoft actually HAS done some improvement on the RRoD and overheating. They say that it will hopefully stop all of them eventually. If I can find the article again I will post it.
We're all missing an important facet of Microsoft money-whoring... ness The Marketplace! Microsoft imposes minimum prices on a wide variety of items put in the Marketplace. You all remember those GH 2 and 3 downloadable song packs? They were intended to be released as free, but Microsoft wouldn't let them. Activision/Neversoft was forced to put a price on their packs just to earn shreds of money for the Computer Behemoth. I'm sure a similar story runs for DLC in many other games.
cheap is an understatement it i think LIVE should be free like online play . but my headset is different from others it doesn't have the plastic covering on it so i can use it on my computer if i ever wanted to since i don't have live at the moment because i used all my extra dough to pay for a new halo 3 because my xbox ate the old one ! so yes i think microsoft is cheap.
My one question is why the wireless adapter ends up being the cost of 1/7 of the rest of my system. Thanks but no thanks, Ill run a 100ft cable through the house instead. Otherwise, I have had no problems with the Xbox (other than the fact that it is created by Microsoft...) And hopefully the Burnout Paradise releases which are supposed to be free will not be changed to purchasable DLC. That would be the pinnacle of Microsoft greediness.
i agree with this thread. i got the RRoD recently and i got really mad. all they have to do is add a nice cooler. i don't understand Microsoft. they are just loosing customers and they are going to the PS3.
Microsoft isn't cheap. It's a business. They try to eek out as much profit as possible. Obviously, that means cutting some corners here and there.
exactly, listen to nemi. He knows the truth. Microsoft are a thriving company. I've had my 360 and 4 controllers for about 20 months, and they all work fine.