[cincinnati65]

My understanding was that each branch of the major chains got 30 units each, with notice that that was it for the Christmas season. I also understand that Microsoft was in such a rush to get XBOX 360 out this season before Playstation 3 is released next year, that there are design flaws in the unit--most notably, if you play the game for 4 consecutive hours (and what kid doesn't), the game heats up to such a point that it locks up until you cut the power and the unit cools down.

[Pukin Dog]

Well, your understanding is wrong.

The 360 is a tower, meant to stand upright. Some people laid them on their sides, blocking vents and allowing their units to overheat. My units have both been on for days on end (especially since I caught the flu) and there have been NO problems.

[Waryone]

Another major design flaw -- in the horizontal position the 360 scratches discs. It can also happen in the vertical position if the 360 has spent any time resting horizontally. Also, if the box is tapped or nudged in the vertical position, the discs can be damaged. Microsoft does have a fix for it.

They rushed the box to market and they are artificially creating scarcity.