Having conquered the personal computer market, Microsoft entered the world of video game consoles in 2001 with the release of the Xbox. Due to the programmers huge association with computer programming, the Xbox has many of its properties similar to the computer.

The console features an Intel 733 MHz CPU, a much higher speed than other 128-bit consoles. It also has four controller ports, a front-loading DVD tray, Ethernet port (for online gaming) and a 8GB hard drive. The use of the hard drive steers away from the use of memory cards which can be both expensive and insecure. The hard drive allowed users to store their games on the system itself.

The games for the console are quite good thanks to the extra speed and special features of the Xbox.

Specifications:
- CPU type: Intel Pentium III Processor technology with Streaming SIMD Extensions
- CPU Clock Speed: 733 MHz
- Memory: 64 MB of RAM (unified memory architecture), 8GB Hard Drive
- DirectX API game development tools
- 233MHz custom-designed chip, developed by Microsoft and NVIDIA
- 3D Audio Support in Hardware (64-bit)
- 2X-5X DVD drive with movie playback (Additional Remote Necessary)
- Four game controller ports
- Expansion port
- Proprietary A/V connector
- Game controller x4, Ethernet (10/100)
- Broadband enabled
- Modem enabled (optional)
- DVD movie playback
- 1920x1080 maximum resolution
- HDTV support (Games and Movie playback)
- 256 Audio channels
- 3-D Audio support