Overview: In terms of size and performance, there aren't too many features differentiating the S and E models. The big change really comes down to the removal of the USB and optical-audio out ports. Yes, the E model is designed to run quieter and cooler than the S, but the results feel more like splitting hairs than any game-changing upgrades. Overview: There's not a lot of bad things to say about the Xbox 360 S. In fact, it feels like the console Microsoft was always trying to make that generation. It gives gamers HD gaming with all of the bells and whistles and barely any of the concessions. Sure, it's not quite as reliable as a Jasper-motherboard Xbox 360 and it's not as quiet as the E model, but it is widely considered to be the best all-around console in the Xbox 360 family. Where as I would like to agree with the state of the hard drive only being able to be replaced by a microsoft xbox hard drive is not factually true. There are programs out there that will take any drive and format it in their special format. I have done this with several xbox units spaning all of their models. Use xbox live and have yet to have any issues. Also, the E sees a return to tactile buttons rather than the touch-sensitive Power and Eject buttons on the S models. Microsoft made some presumable cost-saving maneuvers with the E by removing the optical audio-out and one of the USB ports from the S model as well.

Hope its not a problem, but since I cant create a topic yet (and I think it wont even be really necessary), ill ask here. Bottom Line: If reliability is really your only concern, then grab an Xbox 360 Elite console with a Jasper motherboard. That being said, both the Xbox 360 S and E models are also pretty solid in the reliability department, but Elite owners are missing out on some key features that came with the later consoles. Xbox 360 S Xbox 360 Elite vs S vs E: What Are The Differences? 6In reality, the Xbox 360 E is a cost-saving box that was reportedly cheaper to manufacture than the previous S model. Microsoft removed a couple of ports and created a console that has slightly less utility than its predecessor. These differences aren't likely to be significant enough to make many gamers care all that much, but it should be noted that not all of the features boasted by the S made its way to the console's final redesign. I'm also in the market for a new 360, and I'm going with the 'S' model because I want dolby digital out to my Astros via optical. Can't do that with the 'E'. The middle unit is the Xbox 360 S. It improves on the classic 360 by adding a dedicated Kinect port, additional USB ports, integrated wireless and a built-in optical audio out. All of these models come with HDMI ports. Which should I get, the 360 Slim or the new E model? I've heard that the E drops the AV Connector, but I have no friggin' clue what that means.

Additionally, the Xbox 360 Elite is missing the Kinect and optical audio-out ports present on the S, and it boasts only three USB ports as opposed to five and four on the later iterations. The hard drive is located on the top of the console as opposed to being underneath and more discretely placed inside the console as with the S and E models.The redesigned Jasper motherboard within later Xbox 360 Elite consoles makes for the most reliable Xbox 360 available. The earlier Falcon motherboards, however, are more susceptible to overheating and lead to a much less reliable console gaming experience. Bottom line: if you want to do anything fun on the 360 beyond playing single-player games, you'll want to budget the annual Xbox Live Gold subscription into your plans -- or plan on getting one of those alternatives instead. Yeah I noticed that in a video I just watched. I like the matte finish much more than the fingerprint and dust magnet. Do you plan to get a Xbox One down the road? The E is similar in design to that so I think it looks nicer having them both together. Slim's more reliable from what I've heard, as the E is smaller so the components are more cramped and likely to overheat. Also they dropped support for component and VGA cables by using a new video port and I believe there's no toslink port. In general the E is more cheaply made.