Now that the Xbox 360 price cut is official, we're hearing that Microsoft quietly changed the $350 Premium version by adding HDMI output and, according to some reports, a cooler chipset and less noisy DVD drive. With any luck, this new configuration could mean a reduction in the number of consoles that get returned with the red ring of death. Microsoft has confirmed the HDMI port is the new standard for Premium 360s; be sure to look for the HDMI logo on the box. If you can't find one, wait a few weeks for the stores to be cleared of older units...
UPDATE (August 13): Apparently the chips in the new HDMI Xbox 360 Premium don't run any cooler, but they do have a better heatsink.
UPDATE (August 13): Apparently the chips in the new HDMI Xbox 360 Premium don't run any cooler, but they do have a better heatsink.
Very good to know! I wish we'd waited to buy one. We haven't seen the red ring of death, thank goodness, but we sure get a lot of overheating. And that DVD drive is SO loud when I'm watching a movie on the xbox!