A gamer, scorned (or, my Xbox just died)

So, no sooner do I finish singing the praises of Microsoft's wonder console in my last post than the frakking machine dies on me. Again. Count'em--that's twice in the period of one month. So, I guess it's time to take another look at the behemoth from Redmond and its gaming console, the Xbox 360.

The Xbox's history of malfunctioning is well-documented. Coined the "red ring of death" (a name likely derived from the "blue screen of death"--another Microsoft controversy), the epidemic was reportedly sidelining over 1 million consoles at one point. Whether that percentage is accurate or not is a point of contention, but what is undeniable is that Microsoft wrote off over $1 billion in order to cover the cost of all repairs.

Of course, even after reading about the problems and hearing first- and second-hand stories about Xbox deaths, I figured I was safe. After all, I had had mine for nearly 2 years, and it had run beautifully in that time span. It was easy to forget about it, too, while I enjoyed the console's high-end graphics, fantastic online component, and a home network connectivity that allowed me to stream content from my computer directly to my television. The Xbox and Xbox brand had become a name I came to depend on. Hell, even now, I find myself writing fondly about the device as it sits on its perch, mocking me.

So, what am I to think about the Xbox brand from this point forward? There's no denying the fun and entertainment it can provide. However, my confidence in the Xbox name as a reliable source of said fun and entertainment has taken a hit. At this point I won't be surprised if another Xbox of mine (or that of a friend's) craps out. I guess in the meantime I'll give the Wii another shot...