Gamertell

As a follow up to our report on the Jasper-chipped Xbox 360s, Xbox 360 Fanboy obtained a statement from Microsoft confirming that system units in the Arcade bundle are being outfitted with a 256MB internal memory and will no longer include a memory card:

We are constantly updating the console’s more than 1700 internal components. We can confirm that we are moving to internal memory for the Xbox 360 Arcade. The physical internal memory is the same size as the previous external memory units - 256MB.

This means that Arcade owners will have no means of having portable data which, depending on how you spin it, could be seen as a negative thing. While this doesn’t confirm that the Arcade units are being outfitted with the Jasper chips as well, it certainly hints if not points in that direction.

As of now, there have been no reports, rumors or official statements that any other models of the Xbox 360 will be receiving the internal memory upgrade but we can’t see why Microsoft would want to divide their SKUs any further. Then again, this is the company that defended not including internal memory in the first place.

On December 1, 2008, Joystiq reported that a tipster had sent in an image supposedly showing off the 256MB memory upgrade. The system recognizes the memory as “MU” and displays a icon of the system itself. However, the tipster didn’t report anything on a new power supply that is supposed to differ from the original Xbox 360’s.

Other tipsters reported that the “New Xbox Experience” was pre-installed on their system, that the manufacturing dates were all in October and at least one person claimed they received a smaller power brick but didn’t offer photographic evidence. So if you want a Jasper, there’s a possibility they are sitting on your local retailers shelves. Just check for the box that doesn’t offer a memory card.

Read [Xbox360Fanboy] Also Read [Joystiq] Also Read [Gamertell]