What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Yes in appearance, no in substance. Microsoft deliberately gave the Xbox 360 E the angular, dark styling associated with the Xbox One when it launched at E3 on June 10, 2013. Under the shell, however, it remains an Xbox 360: iFixit found specifications nearly identical to the Xbox 360 S, not a next-generation Xbox One platform.
Why the Xbox 360 E looks like an Xbox One
Microsoft introduced the E alongside Xbox One and described it as a new Xbox 360 design that “resembles the Xbox One brand elements.” iFixit made the same connection in its teardown. The resemblance is therefore intentional product styling and positioning, rather than evidence that the E contains Xbox One hardware.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB E Console (Renewed) | $215.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Microsoft Xbox 360 E 4GB Console (Renewed) | $164.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Microsoft XBOX 360 E 250GB Console | $171.20 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Xbox 360 E 4GB Console | $149.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Microsoft Xbox 360 E 4GB Console (Renewed) | $184.35 | Buy on Amazon |
Microsoft’s Yusuf Mehdi called it “a new Xbox 360 console that is elegant and accessible to anyone” after eight years of learning from the platform. The E was a late redesign intended to keep the Xbox 360 range visually current while Xbox One became the company’s next-generation system.
Microsoft’s announcement said the E shipped in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland and Australia on June 10, 2013, with other Xbox regions planned to follow. Historical launch prices were $199.99 for 4 GB, $299.99 for 250 GB and $299.99 for a 4 GB Kinect bundle; those are 2013 launch prices, not current used-market values.
#1 Best Overall
Microsoft’s E3 announcement also reported 76 million Xbox 360 consoles sold worldwide and 48 million Xbox Live members at that time. Both figures are historical snapshots.
Xbox 360 E versus Xbox 360 S
The S is the meaningful hardware comparison. iFixit says the E’s technical specifications are nearly identical to the S, so the E should be treated as a refreshed enclosure and connector layout rather than a performance generation.
Rank #2
| Area | Xbox 360 E | Xbox 360 S | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Angular case influenced by Xbox One styling; no chrome bezels | Earlier rounded design with chrome bezels | The E looks newer, but the change is primarily cosmetic. |
| USB ports | Four | Five | The E removes one USB connection compared with the S. |
| Legacy rear video/audio connections | Composite-out jack replaces the S’s separate A/V and S/PDIF ports, alongside HDMI | Separate A/V and S/PDIF connections are present on the S layout | Check the exact console and cable requirement before buying. |
| Outer-panel access | Top and bottom panels are easier to remove because the chrome bezels and some clips are gone | More clips and bezel pieces to release | The E is somewhat friendlier to open, though it still requires careful prying. |
| Storage configurations documented by iFixit | 4 GB and 250 GB | Varies by model | Verify the individual console’s label and installed drive. |
What iFixit found inside the E
In its 2013 Xbox 360 E teardown, iFixit examined a 250 GB unit whose hard drive was labeled as an Xbox 360 S drive. That observation supports the conclusion that the E is closely related to the S internally, but it does not prove every production revision used identical parts.
Case and opening procedure
The top and bottom panels come off more readily than on the S because the E omits the S’s chrome trim. Opening still demands controlled spudger work around the top panel and left side of the case. iFixit labels the page a teardown, not a repair guide, so use it as a component-access reference rather than a promise of a complete service procedure.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #3
- 250 GB hard drive
- 1 Black Wireless Controller
- Built in Wi-Fi
- 1 month of Xbox LIVE Gold
- Region Code : NTSC
Board and radio changes
- The front-button board is a separate board.
- The radio-frequency module is redesigned; iFixit identified model 1575 in the E versus model 1409 in the S.
- The fan observed by iFixit is identical to the S fan.
These are observations from the examined console. Microsoft did not establish that every E revision contains exactly the same modules.
Ports and power
The E has four USB ports. Its rear arrangement includes HDMI, Ethernet, a Kinect connection, a circular power-supply socket and a composite-out jack. Compared with the S, the old separate A/V and S/PDIF connections are replaced by the single composite output. Regional configurations and individual revisions can differ, so inspect the actual rear panel before ordering a cable or replacement part.
Rank #4
- Xbox 360 E console
- 1 Black Wireless Controller
- Built in Wi-Fi
- 1 month of Xbox LIVE Gold
Xbox 360 E versus Xbox One: the platform gap
The case cannot tell you which generation a console belongs to. At Xbox One’s 2013 launch event, Microsoft’s Don Mattrick contrasted the systems using launch-stage figures: Xbox 360 had 512 MB of RAM and 500 million transistors, while Xbox One had 8 GB of RAM and more than 5 billion transistors. He also cited Xbox One features including USB 3.0, Wi-Fi Direct, a Blu-ray drive, native 64-bit architecture and variable power states.
Those were Microsoft’s 2013 launch statements, not an independent benchmark, but they make the product boundary clear. The E does not gain Xbox One’s architecture, memory capacity, optical format or software library. It runs Xbox 360 games and services appropriate to the Xbox 360 generation.
Best Value
Read the styling story as branding: the E lets an Xbox 360 buyer own a console that visually belongs beside the newer Xbox One. Do not read it as a cheaper Xbox One or as an Xbox One upgrade.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to identify an Xbox 360 E when buying used
- Inspect the rear label. Microsoft says Xbox 360 product labels include the manufacture date, serial number, product ID and other identifying information. Ask for a clear photograph rather than relying on a generic listing image.
- Count the USB ports and check the rear layout. Four USB ports and the E-style composite/HDMI arrangement help distinguish it from an S, but confirm the exact regional configuration.
- Check storage. iFixit documents 4 GB and 250 GB E configurations. Confirm the storage specification in the console menu and ask whether a hard drive is included.
- Verify the power connector. The E uses a circular power plug. Make sure the listing includes the correct power supply for that console.
- Inspect accessories for authenticity. Microsoft’s Xbox hardware authentication guidance says genuine Xbox 360 accessories should carry a small oval holographic label in an indentation and an embossed Microsoft logo. Treat missing or suspicious markings as a reason to ask for more evidence.
- Check condition rather than assuming the redesign prevents failure. The E’s revised design may address lessons from earlier consoles, but there is no durability guarantee or independent failure-rate statistic established here. Look for signs of overheating, damaged ports, noisy fans, corrosion and missing panels.
Opening the console: tools and cautions
iFixit’s device reference lists a spudger, TR10 security Torx screwdriver and TR9 security Torx screwdriver for Xbox 360 E work. Disconnect power and accessories first, keep track of clips and screws, and avoid forcing panels when a hidden clip is still engaged. The E’s easier panel access does not eliminate the risk of snapped clips or case damage.
Use the Xbox 360 E Repair Help reference to identify the model and parts. Because the teardown describes one launch-period unit, match every internal component to the console on your bench before ordering a replacement.
Which console should a buyer choose?
Choose the E when
- You want an Xbox 360 with the later Xbox One-inspired exterior.
- You prefer the E’s simpler outer-panel access.
- You can work within its four-USB-port limit and composite/HDMI output arrangement.
- The specific used unit includes the storage, power supply and cables you need.
Choose an S when
- You need the S’s fifth USB port.
- You require its separate legacy A/V or S/PDIF connections.
- You find a better-maintained S with the correct accessories and storage.
Choose neither as an Xbox One substitute when
Your priority is Xbox One software, Blu-ray playback, modern system architecture or Xbox One-era performance. The E’s appearance does not provide any of those features.
Verdict
The Xbox 360 E is an Xbox One wannabe only in the narrow, deliberate sense of its styling. Technically it is a late Xbox 360 redesign, closely related to the Xbox 360 S, with four USB ports, a changed legacy-output layout and somewhat easier case access. Buy it for the condition, storage, ports and accessories of the individual unit—not because its shell suggests a different generation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
