Hard Drive (20GB)

Description

At its launch in 2005, the Xbox 360 was offered in two main configurations: a Core version and a Premium (or Pro) version. The latter came equipped with this 20 GB detachable hard drive, while the Core model did not, relying instead on optional memory cards for basic storage or purchasing the HDD separately. The hard drive became an essential component for many features, including saving games, downloading content from Xbox Live, playing Xbox Live Arcade titles, and enabling backward compatibility with select original Xbox games. The actual usable space was closer to 13–14 GB due to system-reserved partitions. The drive was housed in a proprietary case and connected to the top of the console, designed to be easily removed and upgraded.

Over time, Microsoft would release larger hard drives. A 120 GB hard drive was released in 2007 alongside the Xbox 360 Elite. In 2008 a 60 GB hard drive option became the standard in mid-range console bundles. As the digital marketplace expanded further, Microsoft released even larger capacity drives including a 250 GB option initially with special edition consoles and later with standard models e.g. the Xbox 360 S in 2010. Eventually a 320 GB hard drive was introduced. Larger capacity drives were important as the platform matured and more content became available digitally. All of these drives used Microsoft’s proprietary connection format, meaning only officially licensed drives could be used, although third-party and unofficial methods of expanding storage became available.