I just bought a new Xbox system (the new 4GB slim) to replace the previous system that worked well for a few years, but died.
Future Shop fraudulently sold us the new system, claiming it had the following specifications:
"The all new XBOX 360 has everything you love about the latest XBOX 360, but with a pared down 4GB hard drive. It comes complete with built-in 802.11n WiFi connectivity, HDMI connectivity, a cool black colour and whisper-quiet operation. It's also ready for Microsoft's new Kinect system.
Warranty Labour
1 Year (s)
WebID
10147903
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The XBOX 360 was the first console to offer gaming in Full HD 1080p, with a library of games unrivaled in size. It's since had a makeover, which is still home to the most robust HD gaming experience out there, at a fraction of the size of its predecessor. It is equipped with a 4GB hard drive, the latest 802.11n wireless connectivity, an HDMI connection, and construction and components that allow for remarkably quiet operation."
We also bought the highly rated game Battlefield3 to play on the new system based on the size of its hard drive.
But what Future Shop, Microsoft, and game manufacturers like EA don't tell you, is that the console is inadequate because it doesn't actually have a "hard drive." It has, what they call a "memory unit."
Basically, it is a console that has the equivalent of a 4GB memory stick for your camera. Even if you plug in a separate memory 16GB SD card into one of the provided ports, it still won't work.
EA only says the game requires from 2 to 2.2GB of memory to operate properly.
I spoke with a representative from Microsoft by phone and she apologized, but said they issue the latest console is sold with "memory units" so they are more affordable. What she then suggested was purchasing an optional 250 or larger hard drive manufactured by Microsoft for its Xbox.
I feel absolutely scammed by Microsoft and Future Shop because they use semantics and bait-and-switch to mislead you into thinking the console is like a computer specifically manufactured to play games which require lots of memory for graphics. I now have to shell out at least $169.46, including taxes, to buy a real hard drive to allow the games to work and be stored on the console.
We wanted the unit for games we had already purchased, but we also were looking forward to playing the new Battlefield 3.
You can play it on the Xbox, but it always suggests downloading images to make it high definition - which is how it should be played.
Here's what EA says on its website about the problem. I should mention, this is buried in the troubleshooting section and it not attached to the Battlefield 3 game page, which would help you make a decision about whether to buy the game for a PC, or for another game platform like PlayStation.
"For optimal visual quality on the Xbox 360, we recommend installing the high resolution pack included on disc 1.installing these improved visuals are optional and not required to play. If you wish to use these improved visuals, it is required that the files be installed onto a *hard drive* and not an alternate storage medium, such as a USB thumb drive. You will need a hard drive with at least 2 GB of free space. Please note that some Xbox 360 systems, such as the 4 GB version, do not include a hard drive by default. Such systems would need a hard drive for installation of these files."
The way I see it, it Future Shop owes me a hard drive.
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